Melatonin is a natural hormone produced by the pineal gland in your brain that helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythm). According to research, melatonin levels naturally rise in the evening and fall in the morning.
The hormone works by:
- Signaling to your body that it’s time to sleep
- Regulating body temperature
- Influencing other hormones that affect sleep
- Synchronizing your internal clock with environmental light-dark cycles
As a supplement, synthetic melatonin mimics this natural process, which is why it’s commonly used to treat sleep disorders and jet lag.
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Last Updated: August 30, 2025
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