Why you should go melatonin-free

Melatonin is a hormone made by the brain that helps your body know when to go to sleep and when to wake up.  As night time approaches and it starts to get darker, our body produces more melatonin, and that level drops in the morning.  It’s one of the most widely used over-the-counter sleep aids, but why have we chosen not to use it and provide a melatonin-free option?

The side effects of melatonin include headaches, dizziness, nausea and drowsiness the following morning.  Less common effects may include mild anxiety, irritability, abdominal cramps, reduced alertness.  And because melatonin can cause drowsiness during the day, it’s recommended to avoid driving or using machinery within five hours of taking it.

Some sleep experts recommend avoiding melatonin completely, opting for plant and herb based substitutes like valerian root, and holy leaf basil.  Learn more about our night time supplement, MindYourMind, and why going melatonin-free is more beneficial.

Wake up headache-free

It’s still unclear as to whether melatonin can help with easing migraines.  But if you’ve taken melatonin and wake up during the REM cycle, you can wake up with a headache the following morning.

A hangover without the alcohol

There are few things worse than a hangover, but a hangover without fun the night before is even less enjoyable.  Melatonin users might enjoy its effects the night before, but are less enamoured with the hangover-like feeling the following morning.  This drowsy aftereffect comes from the body not fully processing the breakdown of the supplement by the morning, meaning you wake up feeling lethargic.

Timing is key with melatonin

With taking melatonin, it’s important to take the right amount (about .3mg – 1mg) at the right time (around 7 p.m. when the natural production of melatonin kicks into high gear).  If its taken too late, then it can affect your regular sleep cycle, making falling asleep harder.

It can raise blood sugar levels

Most doctors will advise melatonin not to be taken by those who have diabetes.  While this isn’t the case with everyone who takes melatonin, it is thought that short-term use of the hormone raises blood sugar levels.

It can have the opposite effect over time.

While the effects of melatonin use can be almost immediate, the longer it’s used, the more likely your body will readjust to it, almost building up a tolerance. This can lead to it having the opposite effect over time.  Too much melatonin can affect receptors in the body and desensitize the brain, resulting in sleepless nights and an insomnia-like effect.

Purchase MindYourMind here. This is our melatonin-free supplement that relaxes the mind and body, that helps you fall asleep and stay asleep, and reduces mental clutter.