Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me Sleeping With The Lights On Isn’t Helping My Melatonin?

One of the most intriguing "gummy gotchas" in the wellness world is the rise of melatonin supplements. Now, before you protest that they've transformed your sleep, let's play a quick round of "Two Truths and a Lie":

1. IIt's possible melatonin works for you, and I won't argue against your personal experience.

2. Everyone should take melatonin for healthy sleep.

3. Melatonin works best when taken right before bed while watching a show on your phone.

We'll reveal the lie in a moment. But first, let's dive into what melatonin actually is and how it functions.

Melatonin is a hormone produced by your brain that plays a role in the sleep/wake cycle of the circadian rhythm. While science is still learning about the vastness of its role, we do know that acts somewhat like a conductor. If the instruments are your physical, mental, and behavioral patterns, melatonin helps them sync up to either play the “wake up waltz,” or the “sleepy time samba.” The sheet music for these symphonies? The day and the night - or more accurately, the light and the dark.