What To Try If Melatonin Doesn't Work
Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone in the human body that helps regulate the sleep and wake cycle. Naturally, when the body is ready to go to sleep more melatonin is produced. During the day melatonin is not produced. Production is triggered by the presence or absence of sunlight. Melatonin is a popular natural form of sleep aid that is considered to be generally safe by healthcare experts. It is synthesized in the body from tryptophan by way of serotonin.
MELATONIN 101
Melatonin is actually an antioxidant as well and is quite important to brain and body function. In fact, many consider melatonin to even exist due to an evolutionary need for a free-radical scavenger when organisms began to make their own energy inside cells.
However, there is a portion of the population that may experience the opposite effect resulting in an increase in alertness and a disruption of the body’s normal circadian rhythm. This typically will occur during a melatonin ‘overdose’. Unfortunately, melatonin dosage has not been pinned down by researchers yet and no clear guidelines exist. A normal dosage can range from 0.5 to 10mg.
For those that experience the opposite effect, it may be easier to try a different form of sleep aid because melatonin dosage can be very hard to narrow down when someone is especially sensitive to it. In addition, the liver metabolism of this substance varies widely between people.
CBD FOR SLEEP
While research for CBD as a sleep aid is still in its infancy, studies that have looked at CBD for pain showed results that those with chronic pain were able to sleep better after taking CBD.
During another study, researchers found that CBD reduced cortisol levels, the stress hormone that is also associated with the sleep and wake cycle, at night. Cortisol is typically higher in the morning when waking up and it has been observed to exist at higher levels at night in those suffering from insomnia. Evidence is mounting that CBD provides a calming effect for the central nervous system.
Hemp for Sleep
The Sleep + Repair Gummies with hemp were created to be able to be taken by those with melatonin sensitivity seeking an effective sleep aid. It also might be helpful to cycle the two different formulations in order to enhance effectiveness. This has not been studied closely, but cycling supplements and other bioactive molecules has a good amount of data that efficacy increases.
DELTA-8 FOR SLEEP
Delta-8 is a less potent form of THC (delta-9) that is federally legal by the 2018 Farm Bill. However, some states have their own restriction on Delta-8 as it does produce a mild sense of euphoria.
Delta-8 research as a sleep aid is limited; however, it has a stronger calming effect on the body when compared to CBD. Delta-8 binds to receptors in the nervous system that calm down breathing rate, heart rate, and mental activity. Anecdotal evidence from those that have taken Delta-8 before going to sleep have reported amazing results. Beware that due to the close molecular structure that Delta-8 has to medical marijuana, it is possible that one would test positive on a drug test.
Members of the Well Theory team even gave it a try and it was deemed our most potent sleep aid. One of our team members even took a nap in the middle of the workday!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Meredith Warner is the creator of Well Theory and The Healing Sole. She is a board-certified Orthopedic Surgeon and Air Force Veteran.
She is on a mission to disrupt traditional medicine practices and promote betterment physically, spiritually and mentally to many more people. She advocates for wellness and functional health over big pharma so more people can age vibrantly with more function and less pain.
At Well Theory, Our surgeon-designed products are FDA Registered and formulated to help people:
- Manage the symptoms of musculoskeletal pain
- Recover vibrantly from orthopedic related surgeries
- Fill the gaps in our daily diets
- Manage pain associated with inflammation