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If you aren’t sleeping well, then this can cascade into causing problems of all kinds, ranging from mental health issues to increasing your susceptibility to certain diseases.

The good news is that there are also a number of potential solutions to poor sleep, as well as treatments that can be followed if lifestyle changes don’t make enough of a difference.

One such solution is melatonin, a hormone that our bodies produce naturally, and which is instrumental in controlling our sleep. You can purchase supplements containing it, and so you might be tempted to snap up such products if a restful sleep eludes you.

So does melatonin work as a means of improving the quality of your sleep, and who will liquid melatonin supplements help most?

Appreciating the essentials

Studies have shown that melatonin is used by our bodies to synchronize our internal systems with the world around us.

This all feeds into the concept of the circadian rhythm, which describes the way our bodies have adapted over the millennia to mesh with the 24-hour day-night cycle of the planet itself.

Everything from our digestive and circulatory systems to our brains and cognition capabilities is tied into this cycle. In simple terms, melatonin is manufactured by our bodies during the hours of darkness and is fundamental in preparing our bodies for sleep.

Thousands of years ago, the setting sun would have kick-started melatonin production. Today, in the era of artificial light, this process is suppressed for a long. If you miss the ideal window for getting to bed, this can make it harder to sleep.

Understanding the role of melatonin supplements

As mentioned, liquid melatonin and other associated supplements which contain this hormone have been on the market for some time, and they are claimed to be able to improve sleep quality and even reset your circadian rhythm in the event that it is knocked out of joint by things like jet lag and shift work.

Unfortunately, while there have been some studies and research papers on the efficacy of melatonin supplements, the reality is that for the moment, there is not sufficiently broad or rigorous evidence to confirm their full potential.

That said, if your doctor recommends melatonin supplements when you speak to them about sleep issues you are going through, then this is advice you should certainly take. Just don’t expect to necessarily enjoy a transformative experience if you opt to pick up liquid melatonin products on your own terms.

Exploring the alternatives

It is more likely that you will find relief for the symptoms of sleep disorders if you take advantage of some of the more tried and tested solutions out there.

Reducing your exposure to artificial light, especially that which is emitted at the blue end of the spectrum, in the hours before your bedtime is the single most significant step you can take. 

Things like your smartphone screen may inhibit your body’s natural production of melatonin, and by either putting your device down long before you snuggle up under the covers or by using a blue light filter setting if available, you should feel the benefits immediately.

Other factors can disrupt your sleep, so it’s important to recognize and control them where possible. Alcohol is a major culprit in this context, and even a small amount taken close to bedtime can compromise the quality of your sleep.

As mentioned, if a lack of sleep is getting you down and you don’t know what to do about it, speaking with a medical professional is best. Supplements can help, but as everyone is unique, do not expect a miracle cure.