Melatonin Supplements: Benefits, Side-Effects and Reviews.

Updated on  February 7, 2023
Riddhi

Riddhi Rayekar ‧ Nutritionist & Health Coach


Riddhi is a certified nutritionist with more than a decade of experience of changing people's lives with nutrition and diet. She love to help people with clients to achieve their personal goals. 

Insomnia is bad, it causes fatigue, decreased performance and also speed up the ageing process. One of the major causes of insomnia is imbalance secretion of an hormone called melatonin in the brain.

Old age, stress as well as some other medical condition may be responsible for the insufficient secretion of this hormone resulting into disturbance of sleep and wake cycle.

Insomnia ranging from acute to chronic level can be treated with the use of melatonin supplements, which are sold over the counter. [1]

Although present in very minute amount in some food, majorly melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone in the body, they’re secreted by pineal gland located in the brain, and its primary function is to regulate the body’s wake and sleep cycle. The hormone tells your body when it’s time to sleep as well as when you need to wake up and be at alert. [2]

Since this hormone is naturally secreted in the body, it’s supplementation is needed only when the effect of the hormone is not as noticeable as it’s supposed to be. This is usually when you find it difficult to sleep, to stay a sleep during the night, or not feeling refreshed after sleeping; all of which are considered to be symptoms of insomnia.

What to Look for When Buying the Melatonin Supplements

In selecting the best melatonin supplements to be reviewed in this article; I have considered the following factors:

Company: Only reputable products from well established companies were reviewed. Since the supplement is considered an OTC product; regulation for item in this category is not as strict; which gives room for substandard products. To prevent this; only well known companies in the supplement industry are featured in this post.

Percentage Yield: It’s a common practice to have filler included in supplements. If you get a supplement of 10mg/capsule for instance; the actual yield might of the useful component might not be more than 5mg or less. I have reviewed the supplements with consideration to their melatonin percentage yield.

Supporting Component: Some of the items listed in this review have other components aside the major melatonin. In most cases; they’re vitamins that work alongside melatonin to achieve desired result. On the downside however; some of these supporting components may not be suitable for certain users, they have been taken into consideration while compiling this list.

GMO: For those that are into organic living, each products has also been checked as to whether they contain genetically modified organism or not. This will go a long way in giving you the assurance that the product you’re taking has not been modified genetically and as such will not interfere with your organic lifestyle.

Time Of Action: Some supplements might take between 30-60 minutes before they begin to elicit the desired effect. Based on user’s comment, each of the product listed in the article has it’s time of action indicated within the review. This makes it easy to decide on the appropriate time to take them.

Mg/Tablet Count: The mg of each tablet as well as the number of capsule present per bottle has also been indicated in each product review.

Best Melatonin Supplements in 2022.

1. Nature Made Melatonin

Company: Nature made is a subsidiary of Otsuka pharmaceuticals has been in business for over 20 years. And they’re currently the number one recommended vitamins and supplements brand in the United states according to US News & World Report – Pharmacy Times Survey of pharmacist recommending.

Being in the pharmaceutical business for over two decades indicates one thing; they’ve established trust amidst users as a reliable brand. Although the have chains of other vitamins and minerals supplements, their melatonin supplements comes highly recommended; as it is currently the best seller in it’s category on amazon.

Percentage Yield: The tablet boast of 3mg yield of melatonin. Since the daily recommended dosage of melatonin for treatment of insomnia is between 2-3mg, then a dose of nature made melatonin half an hour before bed time is a good treat for insomnia.

Supporting Component: Aside melatonin, other component that makes of the capsule includes; Sodium Starch Glycolate. The function of sodium starch glycolate is to help with the quick dissolution of the tablet, since it absorbs water rapidly, resulting into swelling of the capsule and subsequent dissolution for absorption.

Aside that, the tablet also contains Magnesium stearate which is basically a lubricant that aids the flow of the tablet through the body system.

This particular tablet does not contain any other supporting component that might interact with other drugs or hormones in the body aside the obvious melatonin. It’s safe to say you get what you want from the capsule; with no extras.

GMO: Nature made melatonin supplement does not contain form of genetically modified organism, it’s gluten free, no preservative and yeast.

Time Of Action: It is recommended that product be taken 30 minutes before bed time. Since the absorption rate is aided by the presence of starch glycolate, there is every tendency that the effect will kick in earlier than expected.

Mg/Tablet Count: It comes in two types. There is one of  3mg per capsule and another one of 5mg, the former has two bottle types; 120 tablet count and 240 tablet count, while the later has a 90 tablet count.

On a side note; some customers have reportedly use this tablet for treatment of hair-loss in their dogs.

2. Natrol Melatonin Time Release

Company: Natrol is a self acclaimed number one melatonin supplement brand in America. A subsidiary of Aurobindo pharmaceuticals. Natrol has been in the vitamins, minerals and supplements business for over 35 years, and they deal mainly with melatonin.

All their products contains melatonin in one form or the other. What this implies is that; they’ve had years of research in the usage of melatonin for various purposes. Natrol is not just another off the block supplements company; they’re established with the core aim of providing quality product and a cost effective price, putting customers ahead in their process of decision.

Percentage Yield: The product has four (4) different melatonin yield; depending on your choice. The percentage yield are of 1mg, 3mg, 5mg and 10mg. Most users tend to experiment with different doses until they find an appropriate one. Ideally, an adult would need about 2mg to elicit the effect of melatonin supplement in the body system. This value is greatly influenced by several other factors, and as such it is advisable to try out different yield until you find the one that suits you.

Supporting Component: Unlike the previously reviewed melatonin. This particular supplement has several other supporting component which includes:

Xylitol: This is an artificial sweetener.

Cellulose gum: This is a thickening agent.

Natural flavor: This is to make the tablet more good in taste for consumption. Since manufactures suggested that you can take the tablet without water; just by placing the tablet in the mouth and allow it to dissolve slightly before swallowing.

Beet Root Powder: Although the percentage is not specified, which means it’s present in a very minute percentage. The benefit of this powder includes, improved blood circulation, energy supply as well improved blood sugar.

The remaining components of the tablets have no direct pharmaceutical influence in the body, but rather aid the dissolution and absorption of the tablet.

GMO: This product does not contain genetically modified organism, making it friendly for people living organic lifestyle. It is equally gluten free and also considered vegetarian friendly.

Time Of Action: Manufacturer suggest that the tablet should be taken 20 minutes before bed time. Although the tablet is designed in such as way that it dissolves really fast right from the mouth. This will usually have a direct impact on the absorption rate as well as time of action.

Mg/Tablet Count: The product linked to below has 90 tablet count per bottle, each tablet contains 5mg of melatonin. Although there are several other variation of the product, varying in percentage yield. You can easily check around on Natrol amazon page.

3. NOW Melatonin Capsule

Company: NowFoods has been around since 1968, that’s roughly 50 years of existence. Unlike the two previously companies that happens to be a pharmaceutical company, NowFoods is not registered as a pharmaceutical company, but rather a natural food company that specializes in healthy food and “natural supplements”.  Having outlets in the US and Canada, with the mission of helping people live a healthier life.

As a company; they deal in sport nutrition, pet health, supplements as well as natural foods. Having a wide range of products in their production catalogue means one thing; they’re not new to the health business, as as far as reputation is concerned; they’ve maintained a perfectly good one ever since they commenced operation.

It’s also worthy of note; that the business began as a family business. The idea of it being a family business still affect (positively) the way the company is being run at this present age.

Percentage Yield: The tablet boast of 5mg supply of melatonin per tablet. For an average user, a tablet of this is enough to give you the desired effect.

Supporting Component: Other ingredient that makes up the capsule includes; cellulose, vegetable polysaccharide and magnesium stearate all of which does not have direct pharmacological reaction on the body system, but rather aids the dissolution and absorption of the capsule.

GMO: This supplements is vegetarian friendly and does not contain any form of genetically modified organism; in any form.

Time Of Action: Manufacturer suggest that it should be taken at least twenty minutes (20) before bed time.

Mg/Tablet Count: This particular product has 180 tablet count, each of which is 5mg.

Getting the right dosage when it comes to using supplements is highly subjective. For some people; the appropriate dosage suggested by manufacturer works quite well for them, for others, it doesn’t. The best way to decide if a supplement works as expected is to find a the appropriate dose that works for you. That’s why product like this are usually made in varying dosage.

4. Pharmaceutical Grade Melatonin by Just Potent

Company: Just potent is a relatively young supplement supplier as compared to other companies listed so far in this article. But their reputation within the short time they’ve been around precedes them. Located in Kent, Washington, the have a wide distribution coverage across the country, as even offer same day deliver if you place your order during the early hours of the day.

Just Potent LLC, has been around since 2013 as a registered company, and they deal in both organic and synthetic products.

Percentage Yield: This product comes in two varying percentage; the 5mg and 10mg yield.

Supporting Component: Aside the melatonin, other component of the tablet includes; Cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, and silicon dioxide. All of which have no direct pharmaceutical effect on the body, but rather aid the disintegration and absorption of the capsule.

GMO: The product is said to be free of genetically modified organisme and vegetarian/vegan friendly.

Time Of Action: Manufacturer suggest that users take the desired dosage 20-30 minutes before the time of desired effect.

Mg/Tablet Count: The product linked below has 120 tablets in the bottle, each with 10mg of melatonin. There are other variations on the suppliers amazon page.

5. Vitafusion Extra Strength Melatonin Blackberry

Company: Vitafusion has been around since 1998, the company claim to be number one gummy vitamin brand. All their products vitamins, minerals, and supplements are made in gum form. You have to chew a bit then swallow. This is the only gummy supplement mentioned in this list. So if chewing is your thing; then you should definitely go for this.

The company’s unique selling point is to present vitamins, minerals and supplements in a way that won’t irritate users. Their product taste good as compared to other products in the niche. Obviously, they rely on flavors, sweetener and other filler materials to achieve this level of taste.

Percentage Yield: This product is boast of 2.5mg of melatonin per tablet. Two (2) tablet per day is quite enough for an average user. It’s advised that user chew properly before swallowing.

Supporting Component: To achieve the desired good taste; the product is composed of high fructose syrup, alongside; sucrose, water, gelatin, artificial color, and coconut tree nut. The additional components are not pharmaceutical active component, but rather fillers to achieve good chewy taste.

GMO: The product does not contain genetically modified organism, and is equally gluten free, making is vegetarian and vegan friendly.  It’s also gelatin free.

Time Of Action: Just like other listed product; 20 – 30mins before bed time.

Mg/Tablet: Each tablet contains 5mg of melatonin, 3g of carbohydrate, and 3g of sugar. And a 60 tablet bottle count.

Conclusion

Be it chronic insomnia, or jet lag, or aged related sleeping disorder, aiding the secretion of melatonin with supplements such as the ones listed above is not a bad idea. It’s important to consult a physician before you resolve to the use of supplements.

Whatever you take, excess of it can have a negative effect on the overall health. Many people think overuse of melatonin would give them extra hours of sleep; this is a wrong idea of what the supplements is meant for, excess consumption of melatonin would leave you with a feeling of hangover the next day. Moderate consumption is the key.


References:

1. Dr. Kent Smith, Eric Suni, What Are the Different Types of Insomnia?, retrieved from https://www.sleepfoundation.org/insomnia/types-of-insomnia
2. National Institutes of Health, Melatonin: What You Need To Know, retrieved from https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/melatonin-what-you-need-to-know


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