what is melatonin for sleep

Melatonin is a hormone that the brain produces in response to darkness, and it helps with the timing of the circadian rhythms (24-hour internal clock) and sleep-wake cycle. It doesnt make you sleep, but as melatonin levels rise in the evening, it puts you into a state of quiet wakefulness that helps promote sleep. Melatonin is commonly used for sleep disorders, such as insomnia and jet lag, and it can be used to treat delayed sleep phase and circadian rhythm sleep disorders in the blind. Unlike with many sleep medications, you are unlikely to become dependent on melatonin, have a diminished response after repeated use (habituation), or experience a hangover effect. However, it is important to be aware of and carefully consider melatonin's potential benefits and drawbacks, and it shouldn't be the first or only remedy you use to try to resolve a health concern such as insomnia.