With 1 in 2 Canadians struggling to get a good night's sleep[1], it's no surprise to learn that the demand for sleep aids is higher than ever.
The first option people turn to: melatonin. Popular across all demographics, its use has been on the rise since 2008.
Although melatonin is considered relatively safe, sleep experts and pharmacists agree that this supplement is not beneficial for everyone.
Long-term use effects of melatonin are unknown
Studies on the long-term use of melatonin are lacking. It's still not known if it's safe long-term for pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as for children or people with dementia.
Not all melatonin supplements are the same
A study from the University of Guelph[2] in Ontario found that some supplements contained three to five times more melatonin than what was listed on the label.
If your circadian rhythm has not been disturbed, melatonin is not very effective.
Melatonin is a hormone your brain produces in response to darkness. It helps in synchronization of your circadian rhythms (internal 24 hour clock) and sleep.
If you suffer from jet lag or work night shifts, taking melatonin supplements can be very helpful in regulating your sleep cycle. If it's anxiety or stress that's keeping you up at night, melatonin won't do much for you.
What alternative can people looking for better sleep solutions turn to?
Several non-hormonal ingredients are currently showing great promise in sleep studies including lemon balm, skullcap, passion flower and California poppy.
Our 3 natural Bazzzics supplements (Bazzzics™ Pre-Sleep Serenity/Bazzzics™ Fall Asleep/Bazzzics™ Stay Asleep) are a combination of these 4 ingredients (and nothing more) and the reviews are clear: it works!
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[1] https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/canadian-adults-getting-enough-sleep-infographic.html
[2] https://news.uoguelph.ca/2017/02/u-g-study-finds-instability-serotonin-melatonin-supplements/