What is Melatonin?

Most Americans aren’t getting enough sleep; as many as 50-70 million adults are affected by poor sleep. A study by the National Sleep Foundation found that adults should get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night – and most of us fall short of that.

“The findings from the Sleep Health Index demonstrate a need for sleep health improvement,” said CEO of the National Sleep Foundation, David Cloud. “Sleep is an important factor in overall health. We suggest that Americans and their doctors talk about sleep as a vital sign of health and well-being.”

One of the ways we can naturally improve our sleep is by using melatonin. Unlike artificial sleep aids that can create dependency over time, melatonin is already produced by our bodies. Taking a melatonin supplement is a natural way to help you sleep better each night.

What is melatonin?

Melatonin is a hormone that is created by the pineal gland and is designed to regulate our sleep cycles. Melatonin tells us when to fall asleep, how long to stay asleep, and when to wake up.

For most people, melatonin levels begin to rise mid-evening and stay high throughout the night and early morning; this allows us to stay asleep for the whole night. In the morning as the sun rises, melatonin levels drop, causing us to wake up.

Why take melatonin

The most common reason to take melatonin is insomnia, which is trouble falling or staying asleep. Melatonin can also be used to treat a variety of other sleep disorders including:

- Delayed sleep phase disorder: Those who suffer from delayed sleep phase disorder have trouble falling asleep, often until 2 am or later. Likewise, they may struggle to wake up in the morning.
- Jet lag: When travelling internationally or across multiple time zones, taking melatonin can help prevent or quickly treat jet lag.
- Irregular work schedule: When switching from day to night shifts, melatonin can be used to cue the body that it is time to sleep, allowing you to rest when work allows.

Benefits of melatonin

Melatonin is an over-the-counter supplement that can be found at most drugstores and pharmacies. Typical adult doses range from 0.3 mg to 5 mg; melatonin is best taken in the evening or shortly before bedtime, as it triggers the body to get ready for sleep.

At 4ever Mints, our Melatonin Orange Crème mints contain 3 mg of melatonin. This, in addition to our slow-release formula, makes them ideal as a supplement to promote healthy sleep habits and recover from jet lag!