Best Melatonin Supplements of 2024 – CNET [CNET]

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Sleep is essnetial in order to be a functional person. I don’t have a proper sleep schedule at all, and if you are anything like me, you know how frustrating losing sleep is, especially after trying all the tips and tricks on the internet. There are plenty of natural supplements that can help you chill out and get to sleep faster. Melatonin, a natural hormone in our brains, can be taken at night to help you sleep. By doing so, your brain will tell your body it’s time to sleep. The artificial melatonin in a supplement mimics the naturally occurring melatonin in our brains when it gets dark out. It’s a natural sleep aid with no prescription required. 

Typical melatonin doses are between 1 and 5 milligrams, although some products go to as high as 20 mg. Experts at the Cleveland Clinic recommend trying 1 mg of melatonin for a whole week, then upping the dose by 1 mg each following week. Stop once you get to 10 mg (do not exceed 10 mg) or until the time it takes for you to fall asleep has decreased. Talk to your doctor about any dosage concerns.  

Here are the best melatonin supplements on the market, chosen by our vitamin experts.

Keep these factors in mind when searching for the best melatonin supplements for sleep. 

Ingredients 

You don’t want anything unnecessary added to your melatonin supplements, such as fillers or extra sugar. Always study the ingredients in any vitamin supplement, and speak with your doctor before starting any supplements. 

Dosage

The amount of melatonin in your supplement can have a direct effect on how fast it takes you to fall asleep. 3 mg is the lowest dose of melatonin that will still help you fall asleep. 10 mg is the highest dose, and you shouldn’t go any higher than that. 

Serving size

The serving size directly affects how long a bottle of melatonin will last you. Even if you have a product with 50 gummies, if you have to take two gummies at night, this will only last you 25 days. 

Form

Melatonin can come in tablet, capsule, gummy or liquid form. You should look for a form that fits your needs. For example, if you don’t want extra sugar in your vitamins, don’t buy gummy vitamins. However, if you don’t like swallowing pills, maybe gummy vitamins are the best option. 

Verifications 

While dietary supplements aren’t regulated by the FDA, there are a few verifications you can check for that ensure the product you’re buying is safe to use.

Those verifications include: