Melatonin - Don’t take it!, Make it

Sleep is one of the most critical functions for a healthy body and mind, yet millions struggle to achieve restful and restorative sleep. At the core of good sleep is melatonin, often referred to as the “sleep hormone,” which regulates the body’s circadian rhythm. While many turn to synthetic melatonin supplements for help, this approach has limitations. Regular use of synthetic melatonin may interfere with your body’s ability to produce it naturally, potentially leading to dependency or reduced effectiveness over time (1).

Supporting your body’s natural ability to produce melatonin is a safer, more sustainable solution for long-term sleep health. That’s where Nightly Greens comes in - a carefully formulated blend of vitamins, minerals, and plant-based superfoods designed to optimize melatonin production while promoting relaxation and overall well-being.*

In this article, we’ll explore how specific ingredients in Nightly Greens help your body naturally produce melatonin, improve sleep quality, and create the perfect conditions for restorative sleep.

The Role of Melatonin in Sleep

Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland in the brain, and is responsible for regulating sleep-wake cycles. It is produced throughout the day and it's production outcome can be influenced by an abundance of external factors.  But for the most part, melatonin levels naturally rise in the evening to signal sleep and decrease in the morning to promote wakefulness. However, factors like stress, poor diet, and excessive screen time can disrupt melatonin production, leading to restless nights. While on the other hand, relaxation, a healthy diet, and properly-timed light inputs, can help the production of melatonin and contribute to very well rested nights. 

The Caution About Taking Melatonin as a Supplement

While synthetic melatonin supplements can provide short-term relief, they bypass the body’s natural production pathways. Research shows that overuse of synthetic melatonin may desensitize the body’s melatonin receptors or reduce its ability to produce melatonin naturally (2) This can be very problematic for those that seek a good night of sleep consistently, which, in theory, should be everyone.

This is why promoting the body’s natural production of melatonin, without taking it synthetically is key for sustainable, healthy sleep. Nightly Greens provides a natural alternative by offering ingredients that support melatonin production through nutritional and biochemical pathways.*

Natural Ingredients That Promote Melatonin Production

1. Tart Cherry Extract: A Two Pronged Approach

Tart cherry extract is one of the standout ingredients in Nightly Greens because it may best me known to help not just sleep, but also recovery. Studies have shown that tart cherry supplementation can increase circulating melatonin levels and improve sleep duration and quality through naturally enhance melatonin production  and reducing inflammation (3).

Tart cherries are also rich in antioxidants, which help reduce oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can impair the function of the pineal gland, where melatonin is produced (2). 

2. Chamomile Extract: The Relaxation Herb

Chamomile is a trusted natural remedy known for its calming effects. Its active compound, apigenin, binds to GABA receptors in the brain, promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety—both of which are essential for optimal melatonin production (4).

Nightly Greens includes chamomile extract to help create a calming bedtime environment, paving the way for your body to naturally increase melatonin levels. Unlike synthetic sleep aids, chamomile works gently, encouraging a deeper and more restorative sleep.* 

3. Lemon Balm and Lavender Extracts: Stress-Soothing Botanicals

Stress is one of the biggest disruptors of melatonin production. When cortisol (the stress hormone) levels are elevated, melatonin production can be suppressed (5).

Nightly Greens incorporates lemon balm and lavender extracts, both of which have been shown to reduce stress and anxiety. Lemon balm enhances GABA activity, while lavender’s soothing properties promote relaxation. Together, these botanicals help lower cortisol levels and create the ideal environment for natural melatonin production (6).*

Nutrients That Support Melatonin Synthesis

In addition to calming botanicals, Nightly Greens provides key vitamins and minerals essential for the biochemical pathways that produce melatonin.

4. Vitamin B9 (5-Methyltetrahydrofolate): A Key Precursor

Vitamin B9, also known as folate, is crucial for the production of serotonin - a neurotransmitter that is converted into melatonin. Folate ensures that the conversion process from serotonin to melatonin happens efficiently, supporting your body’s natural rhythm. Studies have linked deficiencies in folate to depressive symptoms and poor sleep, conditions that are often influenced by serotonin and melatonin imbalances (8).

This is why Nightly Greens uses the highest bioavailable form of B9, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, to ensure maximum absorption and effectiveness, to not only give your body the building blocks it needs for melatonin production, but to promote overall brain health and emotional balance.*

5. Magnesium Glycinate: The Relaxation Mineral

Magnesium is often called the “relaxation mineral” because of its ability to regulate neurotransmitters and reduce muscle tension. It enhances GABA activity in the brain, creating a calming effect that promotes better sleep (5).

The glycinate form of magnesium used in Nightly Greens is particularly beneficial because it is highly bioavailable and gentle on the stomach. By reducing stress and promoting relaxation, magnesium glycinate supports the ideal conditions for melatonin synthesis and better sleep.*

A Holistic Bonus

Nightly Greens doesn’t just stop at promoting melatonin production. Its comprehensive formula includes adaptogens like ashwagandha, known for reducing cortisol, and nutrient-dense superfoods like spirulina and chlorella, which support overall health and energy balance. It's the combination of all of these ingredients working synergistically to ensure your body is functioning at its best, creating the perfect environment for restorative sleep.*

Conclusion: Why Producing Your Own Melatonin Matters

While synthetic melatonin supplements may provide temporary relief, they bypass the body’s natural production processes, potentially leading to dependency or diminished melatonin production over time. Research has shown that relying on synthetic melatonin can disrupt the body’s delicate balance, making it harder to sustain natural sleep patterns in the long term (2).

By supporting your body’s ability to produce melatonin naturally, you’re addressing the root cause of poor sleep rather than just masking the symptoms. Nightly Greens provides a safe, sustainable solution by combining scientifically proven ingredients like tart cherry extract, chamomile, magnesium, and B9 to create the ideal environment for natural melatonin production.

Investing in your body’s natural melatonin production is an investment in long-term health. Let Nightly Greens help you unlock deeper, more rejuvenating sleep and wake up ready to take on the day. Great days start with great sleep, and great sleep starts with supporting your body in harmony with nature.*

References

1. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2021). Melatonin: What You Need to Know. Retrieved from https://nccih.nih.gov
2. Reiter, R. J., Tan, D. X., & Rosales-Corral, S. (2017). The Redox Biology of Circadian Rhythms and Their Role in Aging. Ageing Research Reviews, 40, 68-78.
3. Pigeon, W. R., Carr, M., Gorman, C., & Perlis, M. L. (2010). Effects of a Tart Cherry Juice Beverage on the Sleep of Older Adults with Insomnia: A Pilot Study. Journal of Medicinal Food, 13(3), 579–583.
4. Zick, S. M., Wright, B. D., Sen, A., & Arnedt, J. T. (2011). Preliminary Examination of the Efficacy and Safety of a Standardized Chamomile Extract for Chronic Primary Insomnia: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 11, 78.
5. Buckley, T. M., & Schatzberg, A. F. (2005). On the Interactions of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis and Sleep: Normal HPA Axis Activity and Circadian Rhythm, Exemplary Sleep Disorders. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 90(5), 3106-3114.
6. Kennedy, D. O., Scholey, A. B., & Tildesley, N. T. (2011). Modulation of Mood and Cognitive Performance Following Acute Administration of Single Doses of Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm) with Human CNS Nicotinic and Muscarinic Receptor-Binding Properties. Neuropsychopharmacology, 36(9), 1871–1881.
7. Abbasi, B., Kimiagar, M., Sadeghniiat, K., Shirazi, M. M., Hedayati, M., & Rashidkhani, B. (2012). The Effect of Magnesium Supplementation on Primary Insomnia in Elderly: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 17(12), 1161–1169.
8. Reynolds, E. H., & Preece, J. M. (2010). Folate status, sleep, and depression. British Journal of Psychiatry, 196(3), 207.