Melatonin 6 mg Slow Release: What It Is and How People Use It

Melatonin is one of the most-searched supplements in the U.S. It's also one of the most misunderstood.

Here's what it is, what "slow release" means, and how to use it sensibly.

The quick answer

• Melatonin is a hormone your brain makes in response to darkness. It helps time your 24-hour internal clock [1].
• Slow release tablets are designed to let the melatonin out gradually rather than all at once.
• Ours is 6 mg per slow release tablet. Adults take 1 tablet about 20 minutes before bed, or as directed by a health care practitioner.

See Melatonin 6 mg Slow Release →

What melatonin does

Your body releases melatonin as it gets dark, and light at night can block it [1]. That's why it's tied to your circadian rhythm, the 24-hour cycle behind sleep and waking [1].

What the research says, in brief

According to NCCIH, melatonin supplements may help with certain situations such as jet lag and some sleep-wake timing issues [1]. It is not a general-purpose sleeping pill, and results vary from person to person.

Slow release vs. quick release

Quick-dissolve and gummy forms release melatonin fast. Slow release tablets use a matrix (ours uses ethylcellulose and cellulose gum) to release it over time. Which one suits you is a question for your practitioner.

Building a routine

Light matters as much as the tablet. Dimming screens and lights in the evening supports your body's own melatonin rhythm [1]. Keep a consistent bedtime and take your tablet at the same time each night.

Melatonin label checklist

• Amount per tablet and the release type (quick or slow).
• Directions for adults, including timing before bed.
• Other ingredients and allergen statements.
• Where it's made (look for a GMP facility).
• Child-safety language: melatonin should be kept out of children's reach [2].

Why we chose 6 mg slow release

Here's how ours lines up: - 6 mg melatonin per tablet, slow release; 60 tablets. - Gluten free, dairy free, soy free, non-GMO per label. - Made in a GMP-registered facility in the USA, Professional Line.

Shop the products mentioned:

• Melatonin 6 mg Slow Release Tablets: 6 mg slow release, 60 tablets.
• B-Complex High Potency with Quatrefolic: a daytime B-complex with Quatrefolic® folate.
• Zinc Complex Capsules: zinc bisglycinate with B2, B6 and molybdenum.

Pregnant, nursing, taking medication or shopping for a child? Talk with a health care practitioner before using melatonin [1][2].

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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

FAQ

What is melatonin? A hormone your brain produces in response to darkness that helps time your circadian rhythm [1].

When should I take melatonin 6 mg? Our label says adults take 1 tablet per day about 20 minutes before bedtime, or as directed by a health care practitioner.

What does slow release melatonin mean? The tablet is made to release melatonin gradually instead of all at once.

Is melatonin safe for kids? The American Academy of Sleep Medicine advises parents to talk with a health care professional before giving melatonin to children [2]. Our tablets are labeled for adults.

Can light at night affect melatonin? Yes. Exposure to light at night can block melatonin production [1].

References

1. NCCIH. Melatonin: What You Need To Know. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/melatonin-what-you-need-to-know
2. American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Health Advisory: Melatonin Use in Children and Adolescents. https://aasm.org/advocacy/position-statements/melatonin-use-in-children-and-adolescents-health-advisory/