So many people struggle to get great sleep at night. If you are one of the many Americans who experience perennial insomnia, you may have tried a wide variety of methods to help you fall asleep easier. Melatonin is a common supplement to aid with sleeplessness, but there are many other great alternatives as well.
What Is Melatonin?
Before we start talking about all the ways you can tackle insomnia without using melatonin, it’s important to discuss what it is, where it comes from, and how it works. Melatonin is a hormone that the body produces at night. It is linked with controlling your body’s sleeping cycle and is released by the pineal gland.
This natural hormone is often used in dietary supplements as a sleep aid. It can be helpful for anyone with jet lag or shift work, as these people often have difficulties sleeping on a normal cycle. As a supplement, you can take melatonin orally. The supplement is made from an artificial form of the hormone.
Exploring Melatonin Alternatives
If you have been having trouble falling asleep at night and sticking to a regular sleep schedule, there could be several reasons for this. It could be your work schedule, a long-distance flight, stress, health issues, or any number of other causes. If you have tried different methods to try to get to sleep like creating a nighttime routine or even counting sheep, you might be ready to try a supplement.
There are several benefits of trying a melatonin supplement. For one, it is effective because it naturally signals the brain to induce sleep. Melatonin is generally considered safe to use in the short term, but as with all drugs and supplements, you should not make it a habit to use it long-term. This can have many consequences, including making you overly dependent. The potential side effects of prolonged use of melatonin include headaches, so that may be something you need to watch out for.
Benefits of Natural Sleep Aids
Many people also have melatonin sensitivity, so in such cases, you have to find a melatonin-free sleep aid. A natural supplement is a good idea for many reasons, including the following:
- Natural herbal supplements do not contain artificial hormones, chemicals, ad over-processed ingredients.
- Natural supplements have a wide range of health benefits, besides just improved sleep. Think about your typical herbs and the numerous benefits each one has.
- When you stick to natural supplements, the side effects are minimal, if there are at all.
- These natural sleep aids are not likely to be addictive.
One of the most common herbs for helping with insomnia is chamomile. You can find these in a range of forms, with tea being one of the most popular. Other herb mixes are known as effective at calming your nerves and inducing relaxation and sleep when you use them at night.
Getting to sleep can be a mammoth task if you are prone to insomnia. There are many effective methods to use, including melatonin supplements, but if you need an alternative without this hormone, there are other options.
