Is melatonin really safe?
If you find it challenging to fall asleep and stay asleep, you’re not alone.
In fact, research shows that between 1999 and 2018,melatonin use in the U.S. quadrupled1.
(It’smore strictly regulatedin other countries.)
Some sleep experts worry thatusing melatonin regularlymay reduce your body’s natural productivity of this important sleep hormone.
They found that those given melatonin had higher blood sugar levels.
Alternatives to melatonin
Unfortunately, we don’t know whether taking melatonin long-term is safe.
The good news is that there are a lot of nonhormonalalternative sleep aids.
Meditation
Research has shown that mindfulness meditation can significantly improve sleep quality.
Here are10 tips for starting a daily meditation practice that lasts.
Experts recommendleaning on melatonin as a “once in a while” sleep aidbut exploring othernonhormonal optionsfor daily use.
