What Is Melatonin & Is It Safe?

MELATONIN-BASED SLEEP PRODUCTS

Did you know that one of the 5 top reasons people turn to CBD is to help them sleep? According to SleepHealth.org, “in America, 70% of adults report that they obtain insufficient sleep at least one night a month, and 11% report insufficient sleep every night. It is estimated that sleep-related problems affect 50 to 70 million Americans of all ages and socioeconomic classes.” In response to this growing insomnia epidemic, a large number of CBD products on the market combine CBD with Melatonin to assist the user with falling asleep. Although CBD in higher doses alone can help to relax the user and encourage sleepiness, the addition of Melatonin, long marketed for its sleep inducing properties, really helps to sell the product to those desperately seeking a good night’s sleep. And all for a good reason, too. People desperately need to sleep! It’s absolutely critical to good health and one’s sanity!

SO WHAT EXACTLY IS MELATONIN?

Melatonin is a hormone produced naturally in the Pineal Gland, a small pine-cone shaped endocrine gland located deep in the brain. Often called the “hormone of darkness,” Melatonin regulates day cycles or sleep-wake cycles, otherwise known as the Circadian Rhythm. Darkness stimulates the pineal gland to produce more Melatonin, signaling the brain and body to prepare for sleep. Bright light – especially artificial blue light from smart-phone screens and TVs – decreases the production of Melatonin, which in turn stimulates the brain and makes it more difficult for one to fall asleep. Melatonin also regulates the parasympathetic (fight or flight) and sympathetic (rest and digest) systems. Many people who have trouble sleeping may have lower than normal levels of Melatonin, a possible side effect of aging and calcification of the Pineal Gland. So are we hooking people up to machines and extracting their

 

Melatonin to sell for commercial use? This sounds like something out of a sci-fi thriller. But the answer is no… Thank goodness. Commercial Melatonin found in many “natural sleep aids” is actually synthetically made. Yep! That’s right, folks! Your Melatonin-containing sleep formula is actually not-so-natural, after all! Although Melatonin is thought to be generally safe, there are no long term studies and it's usually only recommended for short term use. Side effects of Melatonin use can range from mild headaches, to grogginess, to elevated liver enzymes, and even depression. Yikes! So taking that Melatonin gummy 365 nights a year may not be the best and safest option. It may not be so surprising to learn that diet also plays an important role in regulating the sleep cycle, especially since a variety of foods contain Melatonin. Tart cherries are a great source of natural Melatonin. Milk, nuts, and seafood are great sources, too. Just do us a favor and ditch that synthetic melatonin supplement! Are you eating unhealthy or drinking lots of alcohol?

MELATONIN-FREE SLEEP AID RECOMMENDATIONS

Now that we have talked about Melatonin being synthetic, we’ll just come right and say that we’re totally anti-Melatonin supplements. No matter how safe companies claim their Melatonin is, we have serious doubts. Synthetic substances generally have a negative effect on the human body and can cause unforeseen health issues. Many natural herbs and supplements can help promote sleep. Some of our personal favorites are chamomile and lemon balm tea (any brand will do, but we like organic),

Magnesium citrate supplements such as Natural-Calm or Magnesi-Om by Moon Juice are awesome. A lack of dietary magnesium is often the culprit of insomnia. On a chemical level, magnesium activates the parasympathetic nervous system, the system responsible for making you calm and relaxed. You just mix the powder in water at night a little while before bed and it helps promote a solid night’s sleep. We highly recommend checking out these options if you’re not into synthetic Melatonin!

And of course we highly recommend our whole plant SLEEP Formula with CBD + CBN + Linalool. Our Sleep formula offers a high dose of CBD + CBN (which stands for Cannabinol). Much like CBD, CBN is another natural cannabinoid that helps to relax the body and mind, which in turn can encourage a restful night’s sleep. We’ve also added Linalool to our formula, a botanical terpene (think Lavender!) known to pack a powerful sedative effect. This entourage of sleep-inducing ingredients is a great alternative to artificial Melatonin supplements.

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