Do you have a hard time falling asleep at night? Our natural sleep-wake cycles can be affected by various things, many of which come down to a natural substance known as melatonin. Read on to find out more about melatonin and how it can help you sleep better at night.
What is melatonin?
Melatonin is a hormone that is naturally produced in the brain. Part of our brain called the pineal gland starts to produce this hormone when we are exposed to darkness, releasing it into the bloodstream. As well as the natural melatonin produced by our bodies, we can also take melatonin supplements in various forms.
How does melatonin help us sleep?
Melatonin is linked with our circadian rhythm, which determines our natural sleep and wakefulness patterns. It is synthesized in the brain when darkness is detected, essentially letting your brain and body know that it is time to rest or sleep. It binds to certain receptors in the body to reduce nerve activity, regulate your body temperature, and other changes that help you relax and fall asleep more easily.
Since we live in a world of artificial light, our circadian rhythms and melatonin production can be disrupted. This is why it’s advisable to turn off electronics and stop staring at your phone screen at least an hour before you plan on going to sleep. The blue light from screens is particularly disruptive when it comes to our natural sleep-wake cycles. Similarly, it is why people find it so hard to adjust to night shifts where they have to sleep during the day.
Supplementing melatonin
If you have trouble falling asleep at night due to insomnia or jet lag, for example, or if you have to work at night and sleep during the day, then supplementing synthetic melatonin could help you sleep. Bear in mind that this isn’t something like a sleeping pill; it isn’t going to make you fall asleep. However, it could promote regular sleep patterns when combined with good practices like a comfortable sleep environment and eliminating screens before bed.
CBD oil and other CBD products also have their merits when it comes to helping people unwind and sleep better at night. At Yadkin Valley Organics, we sell a blend of full-spectrum CBD oil and organic melatonin. This can be taken before bed to help with relaxation and to support good sleep patterns.
Check out the range of other high-quality CBD products we offer in our online store.