Scouted: I’ve Tried a Dozen Melatonin Brands: Here Are the Four That Actually Help Me Sleep
Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission.
I’ve never been a good sleeper. I kept my parents up at all hours of the night in the early years and tossed and turned my way through my youth and adolescence. As an adult, I often lie awake for an hour or more after bedding down. If I wake up in the middle of the night, I often see the clock tick from two past three and on toward four. But on some glorious nights, I remember to take my melatonin supplements, and I finally get peaceful rest through the night. While adding melatonin to my nightly ritual hasn’t magically made my sleeping woes disappear entirely, they have helped me fall asleep faster just about every evening and stay asleep through the night better than I have since... well, ever. And, it turns out, I’m not alone.
According to Dr. Susan Hazels Mitmesser, Pharmavite VP of Science & Technology, melatonin is a relatively safe and effective treatment for occasional sleepiness on a short-term basis. “Sleep hygiene methods like consistent routines, developing good habits, and controlling your environment can help promote restful sleep, but if you’re still experiencing occasional sleep difficulties, including jet lag, traveling to different time zones, or working night shifts, melatonin products may help,” she tells us. Unfortunately, as with all supplements, not all melatonin is created equal, and dosing will vary from person to person.
As a general rule of thumb (aside from consulting with your physician or preferred healthcare provider, of course), Dr. Mitmesser, who is also affiliated with the vitamin and supplement brand Nature Made, suggests starting slow and sticking to trusted brands backed with ample research. “It’s best to start with a small dose and work your way up to higher doses only as needed—higher is not always better,” she explains. “Seeking out high-quality products that are backed by science is also important. For example, Nature Made’s 2.5mg Melatonin Gummies are gluten-free and do not contain artificial flavors, synthetic dyes, high fructose corn syrup, or artificial sweeteners. They’re also USP Verified, meaning they’ve been independently verified and meet the United States Pharmacopeia’s (USP) stringent quality criteria for purity and potency.”
If you ask Google whether or not melatonin “works,” you’ll see medical professionals and non-medical professionals singing its praises, experts claiming there’s too little clinical evidence to make any claims for or against it, and a bevy of non-expert opinions on both sides of the issue. Because melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone in the body—not just a vitamin or supplement—it makes sense that there is confusion, but there’s a reason why it’s one of the most popular sleep aids on the market. “While we all produce melatonin throughout our lives, production rates are highest in childhood and decline over time due to aging, diet, stress, and other factors,” says Dr. Mitmesser, reiterating that sleep hygiene practices should be your first place to make adjustments before adding supplements into your routine. However, if you do need some extra help, she says melatonin is a great drug-free sleep aid that is relatively unproblematic, and the potential side effects are relatively mild.
So, if you’re convinced melatonin may be right for you and you got the OK from your doctor to proceed, you may be overwhelmed with the number of options on the market as you search for the best one for you. As Dr. Mitmesser says, everyone is different, and starting with a smaller dose is best, but if you need some extra suggestions, I’ve got you covered. After trying dozens of brands and formulas, including gummies, tinctures, and pills, I can tell you the products below are the only melatonin supplements that help me fall and stay asleep every time I take them. Hopefully, they’ll help you level up your slumber game, too. Sweet dreams!
