10 Best Melatonin Supplements Fully Reviewed & Compared
By Stacey O'Connor
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Millions of people use melatonin supplements every day to help regulate their sleep cycles. Since melatonin supplements have become popular, it may feel overwhelming to find the best one for you. We understand the need to find a quality product that works best for you, so we compiled a list of the 10 best melatonin supplements on the market today.
- Bio Naturals Sleep Aid
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Our rating - Absorbs fast
- Price: See Here
- Advanta Supplements
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Our rating - Can be cut in half
- Price: See Here
- GNC
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Our rating - Great taste
- Price: See Here
10 Best Melatonin Supplements
1. Bio Naturals Sleep Aid
This supplement contains comes infused with the vitamin L-Theanine. This is a naturally occurring compound found in green tea. It is used to relieve stress. Some studies show that L-Theanine may help prevent cancer and increase cardiovascular function. L-Theanine is considered safe.
Dosing Options
One of the best things about this product is that you can control how much you take. Because it is in a liquid format, the user can choose the milligrams. The product comes with a dropper that holds 3 milligrams of melatonin supplement. This is a good dose, but for the person looking for a smaller dosage, they can simply take 1/2 or 1/3 of the dropper.
- Liquid format
- Fast absorbing
- Added vitamin compounds
- One of the more expensive items on the list
2. Optimum Nutrition Melatonin
Besides melatonin, every tablet includes calcium and phosphorus. This is a melatonin supplement designed to facilitate athletic recovery and be taken with other supplements from Optimum Nutrition, so it doesn't have anything like sweeteners added in. It does have some milk products, meaning that this is not a vegan-friendly melatonin. The company is known for their high-quality products and this meets their high standards.
Delivery Method
This melatonin supplement comes in the form of small tablets. It acts within 30 minutes for most people.
Dosing Options
Every tablet is 3mg. This is very safe dosing recommendation. Many people, however, may want to start out with half a tablet per dose in order to get a feel for how much you need.
• Inexpensive
• Designed to work with other supplements
• Easy to split in half
• Not vegan-friendly
• Contains additives for athletes; not pure melatonin
3. GNC
The only additives you will find in this melatonin lozenge are artificial sweeteners. The two that are found in this product are sorbitol and mannitol which are both sugar substitutes. While some would prefer a supplement without any artificial ingredients at all, this additive comes as a welcomed addition to some. It improves the taste of the product and makes the ingestion much more enjoyable.
Delivery Method
The GNC melatonin supplement comes in a very low dose lozenge. Although one of the more common ingestion methods, what sets it apart from the rest is the taste. Users commented that while some other lozenges have a difficult to bare taste, this product was rather pleasant.
Dosing Options
This product is one of the smallest dosing options on our list. It comes in a 1 milligram lozenge, but after testing, it was revealed that the purity of the product is actually slightly lower than this, at .89 milligrams per lozenge. This is a good choice for those looking for a very small amount of melatonin rather than a higher, more potent dosage.
- In store or online purchasing options
- Low dosage
- Better taste
- Less than 1 milligram per lozenge
4. Just Potent
This is pure melatonin. There are some minor additives on the tablets to help them act faster, but they are in such relatively small amounts that they are notes on the nutritional label.
Delivery Method
Just Potent Melatonin comes in tablets. It works pretty quickly, usually in about 45 to 60 minutes. The tablets are small, round, and easy to swallow.
Dosing Options
This is a bigger dosage them many other kinds of melatonin, with every tablet containing 10mh of melatonin and just about nothing else. This is still a safe dosage. A full tablet can be very potent for many people, so don’t hesitate to cut one in half. If you’ve found that smaller doses of melatonin haven’t been helping you, this might be the right one.
• Large dosage
• Small round tablets
• Cheap for the dosage you get
- Dosage may be too potent for some people
5. Source Naturals
This product comes with an array of different vitamin and compound additives. It can be purchased with peppermint which is great for inflammation and digestion. It can also come with orange for powerful vitamin C. It also comes with optional Calcium for strong bones and joint support. Other than these vitamin additives, Source Naturals Melatonin is free from unnatural additives.
Delivery Method
Sublingual means that this product is a quickly dissolving lozenge. It is a good alternative for the person who struggles with swallowing pills or wants to quickly get their melatonin more quickly.
Dosage options
Another area where this supplement provides more options for the consumer is in the dosage. This product can be purchased in 1 milligram, 2.5 milligram, or 5 milligram options. This is an important detail because it is great for all different athletes and their individual needs.
- Lots of dosage options
- Affordable
- Fast acting
- Difficult to find in stores
6. Natrol
One of the key additives in this product is vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 is used to support the metabolic process and promote a healthy nervous system. This product also comes with a few naturally stabilizing compounds like stearic acid and cellulous. Other than these two elements, the product is made from pure melatonin.
Delivery Method
One of the only tablets to make our list, the Natrol Melatonin slowly dissolves in the system to provide a time release burst of melatonin. This slowly released the product into your blood stream and stays in your system longer than other supplements.
Dosage Options
This product comes in a standard 5 milligram dose. This is at the higher end of the safe amount of melatonin suggested by professional. In addition to this, after multiple quality tests, it was determined that this product actually contains almost 7 and a half milligrams of melatonin instead of the 5 milligrams that are advertised on the bottle. This is not dangerous but it should be mentioned so that individuals don’t take more than the appropriate amount.
- Contains Vitamin B6
- Slow release
- Stays in your system longer
- Leading name in Melatonin
- Affordable
- Higher dosage than advertised
7. Sundown Naturals
This product is a favorite among users not just for what is in it, but also for what is left out of it. Yes, you are getting a pure melatonin supplement that is safe and effective, but you are also getting it without animal products, gluten and in a non-GMO formula.
Delivery Method
This melatonin supplement comes to you via a tablet. This product is the physically smallest solid on our list and reviewers love how easy it is to swallow. It is specially designed to be a hassle free tablet that users can take quickly and easily, even without water.
Dosage Options
One of the things reviewers loved most about this product was the very low dosage. Each tablet is only 300 mcg of melatonin. While many other supplements have three times the dosage, Sundown Naturals kept the dosage low so individuals could customize the dosage to their individual needs.
- Non-GMO
- Gluten Free
- Free of animal product
- Very small dosage
Multiple pills needed to achieve same dosage as competitors
8. NOW
NOW melatonin supplement contains vitamins in order to provide consumers with additional health benefits including Vitamin B6 and niacin. B6 is key to help support a healthy metabolic process while niacin has been known to lower cholesterol rates and maintain a healthy cardiovascular system. Since this product will not only help you with your sleep cycle, it will also give you a shot of Vitamin B, it is a great melatonin supplement choice if you are feeling particularly stressed or run down.
Delivery Method
What users loved the most about this product was that they could find it in a variety of delivery methods. Their melatonin supplements are offered in a liquid, lozenge and tablet form, giving users the option of which one fits best for them.
- Contains vitamins
- Different dosing options
- Different delivery method options
- Affordable
- Too many options can become overwhelming
9. Nature Made Melatonin + L-theanine
The key additive in this product is the 200 milligrams of L-Theanine. L-Theanine is a compound found in green tea leaves that has a naturally calming and stress relieving effect. This is a good compound to take in conjunction with melatonin because it primes the body for a successful night of sleep.
Delivery method
This product comes to the consumer in a tablet format. This is good because it can be easily cut in half to meet the individual needs of the user. Reviewers stated that they loved that the tablet is small and slightly coated for easy ingestions.
Dosing Options
Nature Made Melatonin with L-theanine comes in a 3 milligram tablet. It provides a moderate dose of melatonin plus 200mg of L-theanine.
- Pharmacists recommended
- 3 milligram dosage
- Contains L-Theanine
- Small, easy to swallow tablets
- Affordable
- No other ingestion method available
10. Puritan's Pride
One of the main issues that consumers had with this product is that it contains additives that keeps this product from being vegan and vegetarian. One of the additives in the product is gelatin. While this product is totally safe to be consumed, it is not the best option for those looking to steer clear from animal products.
Dosing Options
Ten milligrams is a high dosage. This shouldn’t be taken by someone just beginning a melatonin supplement regiment, but some researchers suggest that the ingestion of melatonin at this dose is not only safe, but highly effective. If you have consulted a doctor and she has suggested this dosage, Puritan’s Pride is a great brand to use.
Delivery Method
This product comes in a capsule formula. This is good for individuals have a hard time swallowing pills, but can’t stomach the taste of the lozenge. This pill is coated and goes down easily. Consumers reported that these capsules are very easy to get down, even for those with sensitive gag-reflects.
- Easy to swallow
- Higher dosage
- Trusted brand
- Higher price per pill
- Too high a dosage for everyone
The Metrics We Used to Find the Best Melatonin Supplements
Finding the best melatonin can be difficult considering that there are hundreds of melatonin supplements on the market today. In order to select the ten best products on the market today we used the following metrics to narrow down our search.
Additives
Often when we hear additives, we assume that they are unnatural and bad. This is often the case, however, not all additives found in melatonin supplements are bad. Since melatonin is best known as a sleep aid, some products will include a sleeping aid additive in their product, which may upset your natural sleep cycle and can actually be habit forming. Another additive to stay away from is any filler ingredient. You don’t want to see a list of ingredients that you don’t know their meaning or their purpose. On the bright side, some melatonin supplements will actually add in other vitamins and minerals. This is generally positive, but we want you to be totally sure about what you are taking and what the benefits of that item are. In general, the ingredient list should only include melatonin, the capsule ingredients (if it is in a capsule format) and possibly added vitamins.
Dosing Options
We looked at products that only offer a safe amount of melatonin. The highest dose we went up to is 10 milligrams. Even this is high, according to studies, and should only be taken for a short period of time. We wanted to provide a variety of dosing options, within the realm of safety to ensure that everyone has access to an option that works best for them. Most professionals agree that a safe dose is anywhere from 1 to 5 milligrams.
Delivery Method
There are three main ingestion methods for a melatonin supplement and each has their own pros and cons depending on the needs of the individual. One of the common ingestion methods for melatonin supplements is a lozenge. This is similar to a cough drop. The user places it against their cheek or under the tongue and it slowly dissolves. This helps the supplement enter the bloodstream quicker. Another method is a gel capsule. This is the slowest ingestion method. In general, the cap is made from a veggie combination. Consumers should look carefully at the ingredient list to be sure the capsule material is natural. The liquid option is less popular, but is the fastest way to get the melatonin into your system. It can be taken straight or add it to drink of your choice.
Other Factors to Consider
Purchasing options
Two things that you should think about in terms of purchasing options is the volume and where you can buy this product. In terms of volume, not all brands offer a bulk option. Some brands offer different sizing options, but some do not. Likewise, it is important to think about where this product can be purchased. Some of the brands on our list can be found at local stores, while others can only be purchased through the internet.
Value
There is no reason to purchase a product outside of your budget when there are so many to choose from. To determine the best value we looked at the cost per serving. We also looked at the overall quality of the product.
Reason for Purchasing
It is important to note that a melatonin supplement is not a quick fix for sleeping problems. Taking a low dosage melatonin supplement is one treatment, but other treatments should also be explored, especially if the issue persists. It is always best to consult a doctor before starting any supplement or vitamin regiment.
FAQs
Q: What is melatonin?
A: Melatonin is a hormone that is naturally produced in the body. It is made in the pineal gland which is found at the base of the brain. It is released by the brain to help the body control its natural circadian rhythm. Basically what that means is that melatonin helps the body go to bed when it gets dark and wake up when it gets light outside again. Once the brain produces the melatonin, it is carried by the circulation system from the brain to other parts of the body.
When the body produces more melatonin at night, it is sending the message to the rest of the body that it is time for sleep. Although melatonin has not been proven to be necessary for sleep, it is clear that we sleep better when more melatonin is secreted from the brain and circulated throughout our systems.
Q: Why do people take a melatonin supplement?
A: Although there are different benefits to taking a melatonin supplement, the main reason people take a melatonin supplement is to help them with their sleep cycle. When these circadian rhythms are disrupted, or when people have a hard time falling and staying asleep naturally, they sometimes turn to a melatonin supplement to improve their sleep cycles. Some people also have naturally low melatonin levels and take a melatonin supplement to even out their natural production. Another reason why people take melatonin is if they are experiencing jet lag.
In a recent study performed by the Cochrane review, it found that taking small amounts of melatonin can help get your circadian rhythm back to normal. Other reasons why certain people may take melatonin include individual with a disruptive work cycle which interferes with natural sleep cycle, individuals who are blind or seeing impaired and those who suffer from ADHD.
Q: I’ve never taken a melatonin supplement. How much should I start off with?
A: Medical research suggests starting with a very low dosage initially. A dose of .5 milligrams is a good starting point. If you are struggling to find a dose in that small of an amount it is safe to cut a pill in half.
Q: Are there any side effects I should expect?
A: Since melatonin supplements are designed to impact your sleep cycle, the most common side effects are dizziness, daytime sleepiness, and headaches. In small instances, more severe side effects were noted. It is very important to do your own research and talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement routines.
Q: Which is the best ingestion method?
A: This totally depends on the individual’s needs and preferences. Some individuals have a hard time swallowing gel caps, so the lozenge is a great option. Others are looking for the method that will hit their bloodstream the fastest, so the liquid option is the best bet for them.
Q: I noticed that some of the melatonin supplements come with added vitamins. Is this safe?
A: Yes. It is 100 percent safe, but it is something to consider. Are you looking for the added benefits that these particular vitamins provide, or are you looking to consume a product that is just a melatonin supplement? Just because it is safe, does not mean that it is the product for you.
Sources
- , Is It Safe to Take Melatonin Pills to Help You Fall Asleep?, Information, Apr 16, 2016
- , What Is Melatonin And Should You Really Take It For Sleep?, Informational , Mar 11, 2015
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