
However, it is not recommended as a sleep aid for insomnia. This makes melatonin pills useful for helping the body acclimate to a different time zone or for people who have circadian rhythms that don’t line up with social norms, like extreme night owls who can’t get up in time for work. Natural melatonin production occurs in darkness and is suppressed by light. Melatonin is linked to our 24-hour circadian rhythm. To understand how melatonin supplements work (and why they often don’t), it’s important to look at how the hormone naturally functions in the human body. Using melatonin for sleep is on the rise, study says, despite potential health harms This can make it extremely hard to sleep because they feel anxious if they don’t take the supplement.Īfter we discuss their specific sleep concerns, many of my patients start to realize they have been spending a lot of money on something that isn’t solving their problem. This means the melatonin itself isn’t helping them sleep and this initial benefit typically doesn’t last over the long term.įinally, people can become psychologically dependent on taking the supplement and become afraid of what will happen to their sleep if they stop taking melatonin. Second, there is a strong placebo effect when it comes to insomnia treatment. Believing that melatonin will improve sleep can help people feel more relaxed when they get into bed and they stop trying so hard to fall asleep. I take those “yesses” with a grain of salt for a few reasons:įirst, if melatonin supplements are working, a patient shouldn’t need to see a psychologist like me for help with sleep. Sometimes they say no – but sometimes they respond with an emphatic “Yes!” Sometimes, they mention a friend who recommended a specific brand that’s supposed to be “really strong.” Then I ask them if taking melatonin has worked for them. When I ask patients why they use melatonin, many tell me they want something that is “natural” and doesn’t have side effects. Melatonin isn’t the first one and it surely won’t be the last.Īs a clinical psychologist, I treat people with chronic insomnia disorder, which is defined as poor sleep at least three nights per week for at least three months. To avoid safety issues associated with excessive nutrient intakes, the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academies of Sciences Engineering, and Medicine created a reference value called the tolerable upper intake level (UL), which is defined as the maximum daily intake that's unlikely to cause adverse health effects (via the National Institutes of Health).This dramatic increase in use of melatonin reflects our inclination to try “shortcuts” to get a good night’s sleep. Toxicity symptoms vary depending on the vitamin, but some of the most common ones include headache, nausea, and indigestion. Unlike water-soluble vitamins, which get flushed out of your body through urine if they're consumed in excess, fat-soluble vitamins get stored in your fatty tissue and liver and, thus, have a higher risk of toxicity (via Livestrong).

Nevertheless, what comes off as Olly vitamins' greatest perk might also be their biggest downside, seeing that their good taste and ease of swallowing make them easy to overeat, which could lead to vitamin and mineral toxicity - especially of fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K (per Healthline). Lastly, according to their website, Olly is also a member of The Council For Responsible Nutrition (CRN), an association that guarantees that its members comply with federal and state regulations and develop, source, manufacture, and market science-backed dietary supplements (per CRN). Regarding B Corp, this certification shows the company's high social and environmental standards (via B Corp).

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The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) is an independent certification organization whose mark validates that a product sticks to the required safety guidelines, confirms that the quantity of each ingredient matches what's listed on the product's label, and ensures that the product is free of harmful ingredients or contaminants (per the NSF). Furthermore, Olly is NSF- and B Corp-certified. It also announces that aside from partnering with manufacturers and suppliers that meet their requirements and standards, their products are produced in FDA-certified facilities that comply with the current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) regulations. In the case of Olly supplements, the company's website states they are committed to transparency, quality, and safety (via Olly).
