• Careers

Medical Center Enterprise
  • Quick Links
    • Find a Doctor
    • Services
      • Services

        • View All Services
        • Critical Care Medicine
        • Diabetes Care
        • Diagnostic Imaging
        • Emergency Services
        • Geriatric Services
        • Heart Care
        • Joint Replacement
        • Laboratory Services
        • Maternity Care
        • Nutrition Services
        • Pulmonology Care
        • Rehabilitation Services
        • Sleep Disorders Center
        • Surgical Services
          • Patients & Visitors
            • For Patients

              • Patients & Visitors
              • DAISY Award Nominations
              • Events
              • Financial Information
              • Health Library
              • Patient Portal
              • Request Medical Records
                • Careers
                • Locations
                  • Hospitals
                  • MCE Medical Group
                • About
                  • About

                    • About Us
                    • Awards & Accreditations
                    • Careers
                    • Community Benefits
                    • Contact Us
                    • Hospital Tours
                    • Newsroom
                    • Phone Directory
                    • Quality & Safety
                    • Volunteer Opportunities
                      • (334) 347-0584
                      • Online Bill Pay
                      • Patient Portal
                      • Events
                      • Directions
                      • Contact
                      • analog clock icon
                      • Avg ER Wait:
                        0Min

                        About ER Wait Times
                      Home/Patients & Visitors/Health Library/Why Melatonin Doesn't Always Equal Sweet Dreams

                      Refine Results

                      About Us
                      eNewsletter Redirect
                      Events
                      Events
                      Find a Doctor
                      Locations
                      Notice of Non-Discrimination
                      Patients & Visitors
                      DAISY Award Nominations
                      Events
                      Financial Information
                      Billing & Insurance
                      Billing & Registration FAQ
                      Eligibility Services
                      Financial Assistance Program
                      Medicare
                      Online Bill Pay
                      Patient Protections Against Surprise Billing
                      Price Information
                      Your Right to a Good Faith Estimate
                      Health Library
                      Patient Portal
                      Patient Portal FAQ
                      Request Medical Records
                      Services
                      • information
                      • news
                      • Avg ER Wait:
                        0Min

                        About ER Wait Times
                      • Directions

                        Find Our Location
                      • Medical Center Enterprise Honors Medical Staff Members on National Doctors’ Day With Donation to Two Local Organizations

                        05.08.2025

                      • Medical Center Enterprise Fights Hunger Through Its Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive

                        05.01.2025

                      • See All News & Press Releases
                      • Sign Up For Our E-Newsletter

                        Sign Up For Our E-Newsletter

                        Featuring a monthly dose of information and inspiration for living well.

                        Learn More
                      • Nurse and Patient

                        Patient Portal

                        Access your medical information
                        on demand.

                        Learn More

                      Why Melatonin Doesn't Always Equal Sweet Dreams

                      Have you ever experienced jetlag, been unable to sleep at night or found yourself snoozing during the day? That may indicate an interruption in your biological clock—especially if you weren't leaving the house as much during the COVID pandemic.

                      The Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine reported that approximately 36% of people had trouble sleeping during COVID-19. Because of the changes in sleep patterns, more and more people turned to melatonin for relief.

                      Melatonin is a hormone produced by the brain to regulate sleep and our internal sleep-wake clock. Because of that, it's important to talk to your doctor before taking it.

                      There are many benefits to melatonin if you and your healthcare provider decide it's right for you. Studies show that taking melatonin before bedtime can improve sleep quality and help you develop a more consistent sleep schedule.

                      Melatonin has been linked to better immune function, lower blood pressure, reduced cortisol levels, improved eye health and reduced seasonal depression symptoms. Also, it may be a good partner on flights, as some studies recommend taking melatonin in the morning when flying west and at night when flying east.

                      However, melatonin does not guarantee sweet dreams and no jet lag. Melatonin isn't for everyone. The National Institute of Health recommends that people with epilepsy and those taking blood thinner medications be under medical supervision when taking melatonin. It can cause headaches, dizziness, and grogginess upon waking and be dangerous for people with dementia. Researchers worry that melatonin, like many other sleep aids, could contribute to falls among elderly patients.

                      It also poses a danger to children. In 2021, U.S. poison control centers received more than 52,000 calls about kids taking melatonin. While some showed no poisoning symptoms, others experienced vomiting and altered breathing.

                      The U.S. Food and Drug Administration doesn't regulate melatonin, so varying amounts of melatonin can be in supplements unless it has a "USP Verified" label. And though melatonin is sometimes humorously referred to as the vampire hormone, the product mislabeling is no joke.

                      One study found more than 70% of supplements did not meet the melatonin content on product labels. In fact, products ranged from having 83% less to 478% more melatonin than advertised. Some melatonin products also contain serotonin, a chemical that regulates mood.

                      No matter what you decide about melatonin, remember that the word "supplement" means "something that completes or enhances something else." While it might help, there's no substitute for sleep habits. Remember to sleep and wake up at the same time every day, even on the weekends and during vacations. Limit exposure to bright light in the evenings, including electronic devices (which should be turned off no later than 30 minutes before bed). Most importantly, adults should get at least seven hours of shut-eye per night.

                      Want More Health Tips?

                      Sign up for our e-newsletter, Live Healthy, to receive a monthly dose of information and inspiration for living well.

                      Back

                      Medical Center Enterprise

                      • 400 North Edwards Street
                      • Enterprise, AL 36330
                      • P: (334) 347-0584
                      • F: 334-347-2080

                      • ADA Accessibility Policy
                      • Terms & Conditions
                      • Privacy Policy
                      • Change Your Privacy Choices
                      • Notice of Privacy Practices
                      • Patient Rights & Responsibilities
                      • Price Transparency

                      Copyright ©2025. All rights reserved.

                      An AllianceHealth Oklahoma® hospital

                      Services

                      • Critical Care Medicine
                      • Diabetes Care
                      • Diagnostic Imaging
                      • Emergency Services
                      • Geriatric Services
                      • Heart Care
                      • Joint Replacement
                      • Laboratory Services
                      • Maternity Care
                      • Nutrition Services
                      • Pulmonology Care
                      • Rehabilitation Services
                      • Sleep Disorders Center
                      • Surgical Services

                      Patients & Visitors

                      • DAISY Award Nominations
                      • Events
                      • Financial Information
                      • Health Library
                      • Patient Portal
                      • Request Medical Records

                      About Us

                      • Awards & Accreditations
                      • Careers
                      • Community Benefits
                      • Contact Us
                      • Hospital Tours
                      • Newsroom
                      • Phone Directory
                      • Quality & Safety
                      • Volunteer Opportunities

                      Notice of Nondiscrimination
                      • English,
                      • አማርኛ,
                      • العربية,
                      • বাংলা,
                      • ျမန္မာဘာသာ,
                      • tsalagi gawonihisdi,
                      • 繁體中文,
                      • Chahta,
                      • Oroomiffa,
                      • Nederlands,
                      • Français,
                      • Kreyòl Ayisyen,
                      • Deutsch,
                      • ગુજરાતી,
                      • हिंदी,
                      • Hmoob,
                      • Igbo asusu,
                      • Ilokano,
                      • Italiano,
                      • 日本語,
                      • 한국어,
                      • Ɓàsɔ́ɔ̀‑wùɖù‑po‑nyɔ̀,
                      • ພາສາລາວ,
                      • Kajin Ṃajōḷ,
                      • ខ្មែរ,
                      • Diné Bizaad,
                      • नेपाली,
                      • Deitsch,
                      • فارسی,
                      • Polski,
                      • Português,
                      • ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
                      • Română,
                      • Русский,
                      • Gagana fa'a Sāmoa,
                      • Srpsko‑hrvatski,
                      • Español,
                      • ܣܘܼܪܸܬ݂,
                      • Tagalog,
                      • ภาษาไทย,
                      • Türkçe,
                      • Українська,
                      • اُردُو,
                      • Tiếng Việt,
                      • èdè Yorùbá,
                      • עִברִית
                      Loading... Loading...