Melatonin is a hormone naturally produced by the pineal gland in your brain that helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythm). According to research, melatonin levels typically 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
Synthetic melatonin supplements can help people with disrupted sleep patterns, such as shift workers or those experiencing jet lag. Studies show it can reduce the time it takes to fall asleep by an average of 7 minutes.
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Last Updated: October 25, 2025
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