Melatonin is a natural hormone produced by the pineal gland in your brain which helps to regulate your natural sleep rhythm.
Not to be confused with melanin (which refers to natural pigments in your skin), melatonin is a powerful sleep aid with powerful health benefits.
Because melatonin is widely used as a natural sleep aid, products like melatonin gummies for kids are rising in popularity, but exactly how safe and effective are they?
Melatonin is normally produced by your brain to regulate your body’s circadian rhythm and manage your natural sleep cycle, leading some people to call it ‘the sleep hormone’. However, modern distractions have disrupted many people’s natural rhythms, leading them to seek out external sources of melatonin for a good night’s sleep.
While you can boost your natural melatonin production with a healthy sleep routine (avoid unnatural light in the evening, keep to a routine, etc.) this is difficult for many people. Since you’re here seeking out the lowdown on melatonin gummies for kids, we’re guessing that you’ve already tried warm milk and cutting back screen time with your kids, so let’s dive into the wonderful world of melatonin…
What is Melatonin?
Melatonin is a neurohormone (a hormone that affects your nervous system) produced by the pineal gland in your brain, mostly at night. Melatonin regulates your circadian rhythm and sleep-wake cycle, helping you to fall asleep quickly and improving the duration and quality of sleep.
In addition to acting as a sleep aid, melatonin has powerful antioxidant effects and helps to regulate blood pressure, immune function and body temperature. With all these amazing effects, we can’t blame you for wanting to stock up on melatonin gummies for kids and yourself but keep reading to learn more about this wonderful hormone.
What Are Melatonin Gummies?
Just like any other gummy-based supplement, melatonin gummies contain melatonin extract combined with gelatine and flavourings to make them easier and more enjoyable to take. Many of these supplements use synthetic melatonin, as it has the same benefits as animal-derived melatonin, but with much lower risks of contamination and no dietary or religious restrictions to worry about.
Because gummies are kid-friendly and have all the same benefits as pill or liquid-based supplements, it’s easy to see the appeal of melatonin gummies for kids. However, while melatonin is widely considered safe for human consumption, there are limited studies of its effects on children, so it’s uncertain whether there might be long-term side effects from melatonin use in children…
Are Melatonin Gummies Safe for Kids?
Numerous studies have shown that melatonin is safe for short- and long-term use with only minor side effects, though there is limited data on the long-term effects of melatonin use in children. However, many people argue that since melatonin occurs naturally and is considered safe for adults it should be fine to give smaller doses to children and teenagers, at least in the short-term.
Because sleep deprivation may affect as much as 75% of school-aged children and has been linked to decreased mental focus and health issues like obesity, many parents give their children melatonin. Although the known risks of melatonin supplements such as melatonin gummies for kids are low, there are some side effects you should be aware of: