Best Melatonin Supplements (2025) – Tested By Our Experts 

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If you often find yourself tossing and turning at night or struggling to fall asleep, you’ve probably considered using a sleep aid supplement like melatonin, a well-researched supplement that’s been shown to improve sleep quality. (1) While creating a consistent schedule and improving your sleep hygiene should be the first steps toward improving your sleep, supplements can also play a role, especially if you already have good sleep habits.

However, melatonin supplements come in a variety of forms and a wide range of doses, which can make choosing the right one difficult. If you’re feeling overwhelmed trying to find the right melatonin for your needs, we’ve got you covered. 

Our team of experts has carefully tested many of the most popular options on the market to find the best options. In addition to our own testing experience, we consulted with Sydney Lappe, RD, who provided expert insight on both melatonin in general and the specific formulations in the products we tested. 

We also consulted with our Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD, FACP, FCCP, FAASM, as well as Dr. Shelby Harris, Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Associate Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. 

Finally, before diving into the world of melatonin supplements, it’s worth a reminder that you should always consult with a medical professional before taking any sort of dietary supplements, especially melatonin. 

“While melatonin can be a helpful short-term aid, it’s not meant to be a nightly go-to,” Lappe said. “Regular use may lead to behavioral dependency, where people associate falling asleep with needing melatonin.”

That said, if you’re dealing with any sleep problems and want to try melatonin, read on for our top picks. 

Our Top Pick

The Thorne Melaton-5 is our top pick because of the concentrated doses and incredibly thorough standards for ingredient sourcing and testing. We think most people will appreciate the tiny and easy-to-swallow capsule and be on there way to deep and restful sleep.

Best Melatonin Supplements

Disclaimer: Please note that the content in this article is meant for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice or serve as a substitute for seeing a medical professional regarding any sleep problems you may have. Please see your doctor regarding any urgent medical issues.

What I Looked for in the Best Melatonin Supplements

As a certified nutrition coach, I’m very familiar with the world of dietary supplements and understand that not all products are created equally. There are countless options to choose from and several important factors to consider when choosing the right product and thinking about your sleep hygiene. We used our review methodology to test a variety of melatonin supplements, but not all of them made the cut. 

Here are some of the most important factors I considered:

  • Formulation: Melatonin supplements come in a range of doses, and if you take too much, it can have unpleasant side effects. Not to mention, many products that contain melatonin also have other added ingredients that are meant to promote sleep and relaxation, which can make the formula even stronger. I carefully looked at the ingredient list of each product and consulted with Sydney Lappe, RD, to make sure each formula was appropriately dosed.
  • Third-party testing: Third-party testing is very important when looking at dietary supplements. Unfortunately, supplements aren’t strictly regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, and it’s not uncommon for brands to lie about the ingredient list or dosing and under-dose products or include substances that aren’t on the label. Third-party testing ensures a product contains what’s stated on the label and is free of banned ingredients.
  • Taste: Nobody wants to take a supplement that has an awful taste. Melatonin supplements can be found in tablet form, capsule form, gummies, liposomal sprays, and even liquid form. Our testers paid close attention to the flavor, noting any unpleasant tastes or textures, and rated the taste on a scale of 1 to 5.
  • Side effects: When taking any sort of supplement, especially sleep supplements, there’s always a risk of side effects. With melatonin, side effects can include headaches, nausea, dry mouth, vivid dreams, and grogginess in the morning. Each of our testers tried their melatonin formulas several times according to the recommended dosing, carefully noting any unpleasant side effects they experienced. 

In addition to these important factors, I also considered things like price per serving, customer service, customer reviews, and more when choosing the best melatonin supplements. Many of these products are also available on Amazon, where you may be able to get a discount by setting up an ongoing subscription. 

Thorne Melaton-5 – Best Overall Melatonin

Thorne Melaton-5

Thorne Melaton-5

This high-quality melatonin supplement offers 5 mg per capsule to help regulate your sleep-wake cycle.

Sleepopolis Score
4.6 / 5
Pros
Strong dosing at 5 mg per capsule
Third-party tested for purity and label accuracy
Delivered in a small capsule that’s easy to swallow
Cons
The dose may be too high for some
More expensive than many other melatonin products on the market

Thorne Melaton-5 is our pick for the best overall melatonin supplement, providing a strong dose of melatonin from one of the most reputable supplement companies in the industry.

The dose is higher than many other products, but with Thorne, you can trust that your supplements are free of all banned substances and made from the highest quality ingredients. The formulation contains a short list of natural ingredients and is gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free, earning a 5 out of 5 in this category of our testing.

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Thorne is the official wellness partner of more than 100 professional sports teams and U.S. National Teams, and they partner with athletes from a variety of sports, including the UFC, MLB, NBA, NFL, Formula 1, and more. 

Since many of these athletes are strictly tested for banned substances and performance-enhancing drugs, Thorne supplements go through four rounds of testing, and many are NSF Certified for Sport. In other words, you can trust the quality you’re paying for. 

Our tester was Kenny Timper, a certified sleep science coach who tried Melaton-5 and reported that it helped him fall asleep and stay asleep, leading him to give it a 5 out of 5 for the effects. However, he noted that he has to take it about an hour before bed.

Our tester holds a tiny Thorne Melatonin 5mg capsule.

Kenny also pointed out that if you don’t swallow the small capsule quickly, it may leave an unpleasant taste. 

“It’s not flavorless, and if you let it linger on your tongue because you don’t have water nearby, it starts to taste like gerbils are tap dancing on your taste buds,” Kenny said. “But these capsules are so small that you likely won’t taste anything if you just take a swig of water immediately. Don’t do what I did.”

While we love this formula, we have to point out that a 5mg dose of melatonin is stronger than most of the other formulas on our list. Sydney Lappe, RD, says, “For those new to melatonin, a 5-milligram dose may be too high without first consulting a healthcare provider. It’s generally recommended to start with a lower dose and gradually increase it as needed.”

That said, Thorne also has a 3mg melatonin supplement, so if you want to try Thorne but aren’t ready for the full 5mg dose, you have other options. 

If you’d like to try something that’s not quite as powerful, we recommend checking out Nature Made Melatonin 3mg.

Nutricost Melatonin Gummy – Best Melatonin Gummy

Nutricost Melatonin Gummy

Nutricost Melatonin Gummy

These strawberry-flavored gummies are easily chewable and designed to offer deeper sleep.

Sleepopolis Score
3.9 / 5
Pros
The gummies taste good and are easy to consume
Affordable pricing for a high dose
60-day money-back guarantee
Cons
10mg per serving is a strong dose
Some users report feeling groggy the next day
The gummies contain sugar, glucose syrup, and other additives

If you don’t like taking pills, melatonin gummies are a great alternative, and Nutricost Melatonin Gummies are the best ones we tested. They’re affordable, taste pretty good, and have a very strong dose of melatonin in each gummy. 

For those considering a gummy alternative to melatonin capsules, you’re probably going to be most interested in the taste, which earned a 4 out of 5 from tester Kate Meier, a weightlifting coach and personal trainer. 

“These aren’t the best-tasting gummies I’ve ever had, but they are pretty good,” Kate said. “There is a slight medicinal aftertaste. The flavoring is strawberry, and you can tell it’s strawberry-ish! There are complaints in the reviews of the taste being bitter. I wouldn’t say bitter, but they won’t taste like fruit snacks, so don’t expect that.”

A hand holds up a Nutricost Melatonin Sleep Gummy next to the Supplement Facts label.
Our tester holds up a Nutricost Melatonin Sleep Gummy next to the Supplement Facts label.

Even if the taste isn’t perfect, this is still a good option for those who don’t enjoy taking pills. 

However, even though these gummies are enjoyable to eat, they certainly pack a punch, which may not necessarily be a good thing for all sleepers. “I was very lethargic the next morning,” Kate said. “I don’t often take melatonin, and if I do, it’s 3 mg or less. So 10 mg knocked me out! I saw some people in reviews had similar experiences.”

Since they’re gummies, they also contain some ingredients that some users may wish to avoid, including glucose syrup, sugar, glucose, pectin, glycerin, and vegetable oil. This won’t bother everyone, but it’s worth pointing out for those who are particularly mindful about what they eat.

All of that said, if you’re looking for an enjoyable gummy that provides a convenient way to consume your melatonin, Nutricost Melatonin Gummies are a great choice. 

However, if you don’t mind taking pills and want to try something that doesn’t contain all the added ingredients, we recommend Thorne Melaton-5, our pick for the best overall melatonin supplement.

Nature Made Melatonin 3mg – Best Budget Melatonin

Nature Made Melatonin 3mg

Nature Made Melatonin 3mg

This affordable, no-frills melatonin offers 3 mg per tablet for gentle sleep.

Sleepopolis Score
4.80 / 5
Pros
Very affordable at under 10 cents per serving
Made by a reputable, trustworthy brand
Our tester didn’t experience any side effects
Cons
The 3mg dosing may be a little low for some
The tablet doesn’t have the best taste

While sleep supplements can be very helpful for those who need them, they aren’t always cheap, which is why we love Nature Made Melatonin 3mg, our choice for the best budget melatonin. If you want to try melatonin without spending too much, this is the choice for you. 

Each bottle costs about $12 for 240 servings, bringing the price per serving down to only $0.05. If you take one capsule per night, this bottle will last about eight months, which means you’re paying about $1.50 per month. Nature Made easily earns 5 out of 5 for the price per serving. 

But don’t let the low price fool you; this is still a high-quality melatonin supplement with a 3mg dose in each capsule. Senior Editor Cait Giddings tried this supplement and was impressed with the results, giving it 5 out of 5 for the effects.

A hand holds a Nature Made Melatonin tablet.

“I fell asleep within five minutes of taking this pill,” Cait said. “ It didn’t give me any side effects, aside from possibly more vivid dreams. I didn’t experience any grogginess when I woke up — I woke feeling well-rested and energized. My Garmin gave me sleep scores in the 90s for the week I took this supplement, which suggests I had no trouble getting enough deep sleep and REM.”

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Customer reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with many agreeing that Nature Made melatonin works very well. For the price, you really can’t go wrong. 

The only bad thing about this product is the taste. It’s a small tablet that’s easy to swallow, but if you let it linger on your tongue or accidentally bite it, the taste is pretty awful. It also contains 3mg of melatonin, which is a good starting dose, but some users may need something a little stronger. 

If 3mg isn’t enough and you want something with a bit more punch, we recommend Thorne Melaton-5.

Vick’s Pure ZZZ Kids – Best Melatonin for Kids

Vick’s Pure ZZZ Kids

Vick's Pure ZZZ Kids

Child-friendly gummies containing 0.5 mg of melatonin and calming botanicals for easy sleep.

Sleepopolis Score
4.10 / 5
Pros
Soft gummies with a great taste
Contains lavender and chamomile for added sleep benefit
Each gummy only contains 0.5mg of melatonin, a good starting dose
Cons
Contains sugar

If your children are having a hard time sleeping, a little bit of melatonin might be just what they need for a good night’s rest, and Vick’s Pure ZZZ Kids is the best melatonin supplement for kids. These low-dose melatonin gummies are formulated with chamomile and lavender (botanicals that are also meant to improve sleep), and have a sweet, fruity flavor that most kids will love.  

Now, before giving your child any sort of supplement, you should always consult with their physician, especially when considering melatonin, which is a hormone. I also asked Sydney Lappe, RD, to share her advice to any parents who are considering giving their kids melatonin. 

She emphasized the fact that melatonin may help, but similar to adults, building a consistent bedtime routine and healthy evening habits should be the first step. Dosing is also important, and Sydney recommends starting with a very low dose.

A bottle of Vick's Pure ZZZ Kids next to a gummy on a child's nightstand.

“When used at an appropriate dose — typically 0.5 to 5 milligrams taken 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime — melatonin is generally safe for short-term use,” she said. “However, some children may experience side effects such as vivid dreams, daytime drowsiness, or headaches. Its long-term safety in children remains unclear and raises concerns, including the potential for delayed puberty.”

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For our testing, Senior Editor Cait Giddings had her 7-year-old daughter try these gummies, and she was very impressed. Both Cait and her daughter also gave these gummies 5 out of 5 for the flavor. 

“My 7-year-old tester reported that they’re easy to chew and feel like little bouncy pillows between her teeth,” says Cait. “She begged for more after consuming a serving (two gummies) and had to be shut down.”

She also noted that her daughter felt drowsy after about 10 minutes and fell asleep quickly, and neither Cait nor her daughter noticed any unpleasant side effects, which is why we recommend Vick’s Pure ZZZ for kids who have a hard time falling asleep. 

For those who still have concerns, be sure to check out our parent’s guide to melatonin for kids.

If you’re looking for an adult gummy with a higher melatonin content, you might love Nutricost Melatonin Gummies

NOW Liquid Melatonin – Best Liquid Melatonin

NOW Liquid Melatonin

NOW Liquid Melatonin

This fast-absorbing liquid can be taken straight or added to your beverage of choice for deep sleep.

Sleepopolis Score
3.60 / 5
Pros
The fast-absorbing liquid may result in quicker effects
Each vial includes a dropper to customize your dose
Light flavor with no aftertaste
Cons
The product contains xylitol, which is harmful to pets and may cause an upset stomach
Dosing with the dropper may not be as precise as taking a capsule

For those who are new to melatonin, dosing can be tricky. Taking your melatonin allows you to customize the dose to your exact needs, and NOW Liquid Melatonin is our pick for the best liquid melatonin supplement. 

A standard dose contains 3mg of melatonin, but it includes a dropper, so you can easily customize the dose to your needs. Sydney Lappe, RD, pointed out that liquid melatonin may offer additional benefits. “NOW Liquid Melatonin offers a pill-free, liquid-based option with adjustable dosing, which might be appealing for those who prefer liquids or need more control over their dosage,” she said. “Since liquids may absorb faster, it could potentially offer quicker effectiveness.”

Speaking of effectiveness, our tester, Dan Caffrey, gave NOW Liquid Melatonin 4.5 out of 5 for the effects. 

“I should note that I’m not someone who has a hard time falling asleep, so it’s hard for me to say if the melatonin truly helped me sleep or not,” Dan explained. “That said, I felt refreshed when I woke up, with no grogginess. Also, I’ve tried gummy melatonin in the past, and it’s given me strange/violent/frightening dreams. That wasn’t the case here, so I definitely give NOW Liquid Melatonin high marks on that front.”

A bottle of NOW Liquid Melatonin

If you’re worried about the taste, you shouldn’t have any issues. Dan gave the flavor 4 out of 5 stars. “It tastes pretty sweet and not too medicinal or metallic — almost like elderberries,” he said. “I wouldn’t say the taste is amazing or anything, but it’s not unpleasant, either. Plus, the dosage is so small that it doesn’t leave an aftertaste or any kind of gross lingering sensation in your mouth.”

Some users may not like the added ingredients, which include artificial sweeteners like xylitol, which may cause stomach upset, as well as organic cane alcohol. However, if you don’t mind these ingredients, this product offers a very convenient way to take your melatonin. 

If you prefer to avoid any sort of additives and don’t mind taking a small capsule, you may want to consider Thorne Melanton-5.

Pure Encapsulations Melatonin 0.5 mg – Best Low-Dose Melatonin

Pure Encapsulations Melatonin 0.5 mg

Pure Encapsulations Melatonin 0.5 mg

This ultra-low dose could be a good match for sensitive sleepers and first-time users.

Sleepopolis Score
4.50 / 5
Pros
The low dose makes it easy to assess your tolerance
Our tester didn’t experience any grogginess
Made by a reputable company with third-party testing
Cons
The price per serving is more expensive than other options

If you’re looking for a great low-dose melatonin supplement, look no further than Pure Encapsulations Melatonin 0.5mg. This may seem low, especially compared to other supplements that often contain 3 to 5 grams of melatonin, but this is a great starting dose that makes it easy to assess your tolerance. 

Dr. Shelby Harris confirmed that this is a good starting dose, saying, “In sleep medicine, we actually use very small doses of melatonin (.5 to 1 mg) multiple hours before bed to help gradually shift the body’s clock for people with delayed sleep phase disorder.”

If you do find that 0.5mg isn’t strong enough, you can simply take more capsules next time to increase your dose. 

A hand holds a bottle of Pure Encapsulations Cortisol Calm

Senior Editor Cait Giddings confirmed that despite the low dose, it’s still an effective product, and she gave it 5 out of 5 stars for the effects.

“I had no side effects after taking this melatonin,” Cait said. “Despite its low-dose formula, it knocked me out in about 5 minutes, and I didn’t notice any adverse effects or grogginess when I woke up in the morning at my usual time.”

For those new to melatonin, this is probably the best supplement to choose from, as you don’t have to worry about accidentally taking too much and feeling groggy the next day. The price per serving is just under 20 cents, so if you need to take 2 to 3 capsules, it shouldn’t cause any financial stress, though other brands have more melatonin and a lower cost.

If you know you need more than 0.5mg of melatonin, we recommend trying Nature Made Melatonin 3mg.

Cymbiotika Sleep – Best Liposomal Melatonin

Cymbiotika Sleep

Cymbiotika Sleep

Advanced liposomal delivery — contained in a convenient bottle — allows for quicker absorption and effectiveness.

Sleepopolis Score
4.10 / 5
Pros
The formulation contains a blend of sleep-promoting ingredients
Liposomal supplements may offer better absorption and effectiveness
Our tester noticed improved sleep with no negative side effects W
Cons
This is an expensive supplement at $1.46 per serving
Each serving only contains 1 mg of melatonin

Cymbiotika Sleep is a liposomal formula that contains a blend of beneficial ingredients that promote sleep and relaxation rather than simply offering melatonin by itself. Liposomal supplements are made with ingredients that are wrapped in microscopic spheres of phospholipids, similar to cell membranes. 

This is meant to protect the ingredients from the harsh environment of your digestive system, promoting better absorption and digestibility. This liquid formula comes with a built-in pump and instructions to place 12 pumps onto a spoon or directly into your mouth. 

Twelve pumps is a hefty dose, and our tester, Nicole Davis, CPT, PN1-NC, found that the flavor wasn’t the best.

“The reviews rave about the taste of this. It’s ‘cacao’-flavored, which people think tastes like chocolate,” Nicole said. “However, I think it tastes like medicine mixed with cocoa powder — don’t love it. I would much prefer a more neutral flavor like mint or something, especially right before bed.”

A hand holds a spoonful of Cybmbiotika Sleep.

Despite the taste, Nicole has been taking this for a few weeks and says that on the days when her kids aren’t waking her up in the middle of the night, she wakes up feeling well-rested, with no lingering grogginess or fatigue.

It’s also quite expensive at $1.46 per serving, which is significantly higher than most of the other products on our list. However, in addition to 1mg of melatonin per 12-pump serving, you’re also getting other beneficial ingredients like l-theanine, GABA, magnesium, l-tryptophan, and other ingredients that may promote sleep. 

If you want something a bit more affordable and don’t need the other added ingredients, we recommend trying our pick for the best overall melatonin supplement, Thorne Melaton-5.

Other Melatonin Supplements We Considered

There are countless melatonin supplements on the market, and we tested a few that we enjoyed using but didn’t quite make the cut for our top picks. Here are a couple of other options we’ve tested that you may want to consider. 

Life Extension Melatonin 6-Hour Timed Release

Life Extension is an excellent brand that makes high-quality supplements, and its time-released melatonin may help users stay asleep throughout the night. The 3 mg tablet is also a great dose. If you want to try a timed-release formula, this is a great choice, but our testers found that timing melatonin properly can be a little tricky, so we stuck with standard melatonin for this guide.

Natrol Melatonin Gummies

Natrol Melatonin comes in chewable tablets, and our tester loved the flavor and texture. These are a great option if you want to try a melatonin gummy, but we found that the Nutricost gummies were slightly cheaper and contained more melatonin per serving. 

How We Picked and Tested These Melatonin Supplements

Before assembling our list, our team of expert testers — which includes certified sleep coaches, personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and more — personally used each product on this list. We used our testing methodology to calculate a final score for each melatonin supplement, scoring them based on important categories like price, formulation, taste and swallowability, and side effects.

Opened bottle of Thorne Melaton-5

I also consulted with Sydney Lappe, a registered dietitian, who provided her expert feedback on the formulation of each product. 

Price

While melatonin is relatively affordable compared to many other supplements on the market, there’s no standard pricing for melatonin, and the products we tested range from $0.09 per serving all the way up to $1.46, and other sleep formulas may be even more expensive. 

We know that many of our readers don’t want to spend excessive amounts of money on supplements, so we made sure to include melatonin supplements at a variety of price points. 

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Formulation

When it comes to the formulation, we specifically looked at the dosing of melatonin, as well as any other added ingredients. The standard starting dose for melatonin is 0.5mg to 3mg, though you can certainly find stronger formulas. (2)

We also considered other sleep-enhancing ingredients that may be added, as many sleep aid formulas contain a variety of ingredients — not just melatonin — which can make it tricky to predict how the supplement will make you feel. 

Ingredients on a bottle of Thorne Melaton-5

Finally, melatonin is commonly delivered in gummy or liquid form, so we made sure to point out any notable ingredients that some users may wish to avoid, such as sugar, corn syrup, certain types of oil, artificial sweeteners, and more. 

Taste and Swallowability

If you’re taking a small capsule, the taste is unlikely to be an issue. However, if you’re using gummies or liquid melatonin, that’s a whole different story. If the supplement you’re using has an unpleasant taste, you’re not going to be very motivated to take it. 

Our testers carefully paid attention to the taste of each supplement, even the capsules. If a product we tested had a harsh, unpleasant taste, we left it off the list. 

We understand that taste is subjective, but every product included in this list earned at least 3 out of 5 stars for the taste. 

Side Effects of Melatonin

If you’ve ever wondered if melatonin is safe or not, you’re not alone.

When dealing with a sleep supplement like melatonin, the side effects can be quite disruptive. Headaches, nausea, grogginess, and vivid dreams aren’t uncommon. For those who have never experienced a vivid nightmare from a potent sleep supplement, let me assure you that it’s not pleasant in any way, shape, or form. 

A few of the higher-dose melatonin supplements on our list caused grogginess or vivid dreams for those who weren’t accustomed to taking melatonin, but I made sure to call that out in the individual reviews. None of the products caused any severe side effects, but your individual results may vary based on your individual tolerance.  

What to Consider When Buying Melatonin Supplements

Melatonin is one of the most popular sleep supplements, but before you start using it, it’s important to understand how it works, who it’s for, who it’s not for, and how to choose the best formulation. Our guide to the best melatonin supplements should help you find a great option, but if you’re still not sure what to choose, here’s some important information to help you choose the right formula. 

How Melatonin Works

While many natural sleep aids contain herbal ingredients like lemon balm, valerian root, or ashwagandha, or minerals like magnesium, melatonin is a little different.

Melatonin is a hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and is naturally produced by the pineal gland, a small region in the brain. (3) It helps encourage your body to sleep after it gets dark, sending signals to your brain that it’s time to power down for a good night’s sleep.

A person side sleeping on the Douglas Mattress

By supplementing with melatonin, you can increase your body’s natural stores, which should help promote rest and relaxation. This is especially useful when you’re trying to change your sleep-wake cycle, and your body may not be producing melatonin at the proper time. This may be useful when traveling to new time zones, working night shifts, or dealing with jet lag.

If you want to read more, here’s everything you need to know about melatonin and sleep.

While sleep is the primary benefit, melatonin has also been shown to have benefits like reduced blood pressure, especially in the evening. (4)

How to Choose the Best Melatonin Supplements

When choosing a supplement, one of the most important things to look for is third-party testing, which verifies that a supplement contains what’s listed on the label, in the right doses, with no banned or harmful ingredients. 

Sleepopolis Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Raj Dasgupta says, “Melatonin is considered a dietary supplement, so it’s not regulated by the FDA in the United States. This means there’s no guarantee that the ingredients or dosage on the label are entirely accurate.”

Since dietary supplements don’t have to prove they contain what’s on the label before they can be sold, third-party testing helps ensure that you’re using a trustworthy product.

Aside from third-party testing, you’ll also want to make sure you choose the right melatonin dosage. Doses often range from 0.5 to 3 milligrams of melatonin per serving, though higher doses are available, and you can always take multiple servings if you need more than what your supplement provides. 

Who Should Take Melatonin

According to medical advisor Dr. Shelby Harris, melatonin is best for those who don’t have issues sleeping through the night but need to change their sleep schedule, whether that’s due to a new job, travel, or anything else.

“Melatonin supplements (when taken properly) can help gradually shift the body’s circadian rhythm, but it’s not the natural cure that people believe it to be — especially when it comes to insomnia,” Dr. Harris said. “We mostly recommend it for people who can get a full night’s sleep but not on the schedule that they need. It is frequently used for things like delayed sleep phase disorder, jet lag syndrome, and shift work sleep disorder, and occasionally for insomnia”

Who Should Not Take Melatonin

Because melatonin can cause a variety of unpleasant side effects, including daytime grogginess and fatigue, you should always consult with your physician before using any supplements. Melatonin is a hormone, and it’s important to use it correctly under medical supervision for best results. 

If you operate heavy machinery or drive for a living, it’s best to avoid melatonin unless you know how it’ll impact your energy and focus the next day. 

Dr. Shelby Harris also warns that you should avoid taking melatonin if you have chronic insomnia that’s not improving with regular supplement use, as we don’t have many studies on long-term use. She said, “While melatonin can help a few people with insomnia, it isn’t the panacea most people think it is. And if you need to keep taking more and more, it isn’t working.”

RELATED: Best Non-Medication Sleep Aids

Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should also consult with a physician before using any sort of supplement, especially a sleep hormone like melatonin. 

FAQs

How long does melatonin last?

This will depend on your metabolism and the dose you’re taking. We’ve written an entire article about how long melatonin lasts based on input from medical experts, and for most people, the effects of melatonin can last anywhere from four to 10 hours.

What does melatonin do to your body?

Melatonin is naturally produced in the brain and sends signals to your body that it’s time for sleep. A melatonin supplement can be used to increase melatonin levels, especially if you’re in a different time zone and your brain hasn’t adjusted yet. 

As outlined in our guide to reasons you can’t sleep, melatonin production may also be suppressed by blue light exposure, such as looking at electronics in the evening, so using a supplement can help restore adequate melatonin levels.

What are the side effects of taking melatonin?

Depending on your individual tolerance and the dose you’re using, melatonin can cause a variety of side effects, including nausea, dry mouth, headaches, vivid (and often scary) dreams, as well as sleepiness the next day. 

Sources

  1. Fatemeh, G., Sajjad, M., Niloufar, R., Neda, S., Leila, S., & Khadijeh, M. (2022). Effect of melatonin supplementation on sleep quality: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of neurology, 269(1), 205–216. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-020-10381-w
  2. Cruz-Sanabria, F., Bruno, S., Crippa, A., Frumento, P., Scarselli, M., Skene, D. J., & Faraguna, U. (2024). Optimizing the Time and Dose of Melatonin as a Sleep-Promoting Drug: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis. Journal of pineal research, 76(5), e12985. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpi.12985
  3. Poza, J. J., Pujol, M., Ortega-Albás, J. J., Romero, O., & Insomnia Study Group of the Spanish Sleep Society (SES) (2022). Melatonin in sleep disorders. Neurologia, 37(7), 575–585. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nrleng.2018.08.004
  4. Ashour A. M. (2024). The Effect of Melatonin Supplement on High Arterial Blood Pressure: An Overview from Clinicaltrials.gov. Journal of multidisciplinary healthcare, 17, 517–520. https://doi.org/10.2147/JMDH.S446521
Matt Dustin

Matt Dustin

Staff Writer

About Author

Matt is a writer and fitness coach who’s been working in the health and fitness industry for 13 years. After graduating with a degree in Exercise Science and completing an internship at the Under Armour Sports Performance Center, he spent 6 years working as a personal trainer, where he worked with athletes, fat loss clients, and injury rehab clients before transitioning to online coaching.

Matt was also a freelance health and fitness writer for 11 years, writing for dozens of fitness websites, influencers, and supplement brands. He’s also the author of three nutrition books published through Simon & Schuster.He currently lives in Las Vegas, NV, and enjoys working out, reading, writing, sports, and traveling.