Everything You Need to Know about Melatonin

Most people today are familiar with melatonin because of its impact on sleep quality. But did you know that we actually have a team of dermatologists to thank for the discovery of this important hormone?

In fact, melatonin was first discovered by Yale dermatologist Dr. Aaron Lerner and his colleagues in 1958. Originally they isolated the hormone hypothesizing that it could be used to treat certain skin disorders. While their experiments showed that it did not treat the skin as they expected, following research over the years uncovered melatonin’s impact on the brain, particularly our sleep-wake cycle (also known as the Circadian rhythm).

Prior to the isolation of melatonin by Dr. Lerner and his team, research was also being conducted on the pineal gland - a small endocrine gland located in the brain that produces and regulates certain hormones, including melatonin. A monograph published in 1954 by Mark Altschule and Julian Kitay reviewed the existing scientific literature on the gland, and in 1960 Dr. Virginia Fiske discovered that exposing a rat to constant light affected the size of its pineal gland. In 1965, researchers found that the pineal gland responds to the external cycle of lightness and darkness, releasing more melatonin when it receives signals that it’s getting dark outside to help induce sleep.†

These days, modern lifestyles that de-prioritize sleep in favor of long working hours and late night fun impact healthy melatonin levels. Sleep/wake disruptions can happen with exposure to blue light from electronic devices, night-shift work, and over-consumption of caffeine. And disruptions to our circadian rhythm impact overall sleep quality.

This is why many people turn to melatonin supplements to support healthy sleep cycles.† Since melatonin is an antioxidant, it also benefits us as it scavenges free radicals while we sleep. Melatonin supplements can come in nearly any form, including capsules, tablets, gummies, teas, tinctures, and more. In 2019, the market revenue of melatonin supplements hit $1.3 billion USD, and is projected to reach $2.4 billion in 2025. 

Snooze Support CBD Soft Gels

For the newest product in our line of functional CBD soft gels, we combined 3 mg of melatonin with hops and valerian root extracts to create a comprehensive sleep support formula. Valerian and hops are both nervine herbs, which are a class of herbs known to support a healthy nervous system, in this case through interaction with the brain’s GABA receptors.† Similar to adaptogens, nervines are helpful in supporting a healthy response to stress while maintaining a balanced mood.† Nervines also help us to relax, find calm, and wind down.† Our CBD soft gels also feature the minor cannabinoid CBN, known for its relaxing effects.† Combined with melatonin, these ingredients come together to help you find the snooze support you need. Check out our Snooze Support CBD Soft Gels here.

Things to know about melatonin

Because melatonin is a hormone, it’s highly recommended to consult with your doctor before adding it to your supplement routine. Some sensitive people have experienced undesirable effects (like grogginess or mild headaches upon waking) when taking larger servings of melatonin, which is why we formulated our Snooze Support CBD Soft Gels with a low 3 mg amount per serving. It can also cause drowsiness, so do not drive or use heavy machinery while using melatonin. 

If you’re looking for a CBD supplement that helps you relax without melatonin, try Downshift! Downshift features CBN, along with terpenes beta-caryophyllene and linalool, to help you coast gently into the evening.