In the quest for better sleep, many turn to melatonin supplements, especially when grappling with jet lag. Melatonin is a hormone we all produce naturally, and is often referred to as the hormone of darkness. While it signals to our brain that it's nighttime and we should start preparing for sleep, melatonin doesn't actually usher in sleep itself. It's effectiveness and particularly safety in long-term use are topics warranting closer examination.

Understanding Melatonin: The Timekeeper of Sleep

Melatonin's primary role is regulating sleep timing rather than generating sleep. It’s like a natural scheduler, ensuring that our sleep-wake cycle is in sync with the natural rhythm of day and night. Especially useful when transitioning across different time zones, melatonin can help realign our internal clocks to a new schedule. However, once settled in a new time zone, its effectiveness diminishes, only speeding up sleep onset by a mere 3.9 minutes and enhancing sleep efficiency by a scant 2.2 percent (less than a placebo), as per sleep expert Dr. Matthew Walker.

Regulatory Disparities: A Global Divergence

The regulatory landscape for over-the-counter (OTC) melatonin varies starkly across the globe. While countries like the UK, European Union, Japan, Australia, and Canada have banned its OTC availability, in the USA, melatonin supplements have burgeoned into a multi-billion dollar industry despite lacking FDA approval. This lack of regulation is highlighted by a wide-ranging study that found the difference in strength in the capsules from what the packaging stated ranged from 83% less, to 530% more!

The Dark Side of Melatonin Supplementation: Beyond the Short-Term Relief

The body's intricate feedback loops could be disrupted with exogenous melatonin supplementation, especially as its often taken in doses much higher than what our body would naturally produce. There are also worrying findings associated with high doses of melatonin, such as potential testicular shrinkage in juvenile male rats, and interference with the hippocampus's ability to form new synapses, potentially hampering learning and memory formation in humans.

Moreover, a growing body of evidence points towards a significant increase in reported melatonin overdoses over the last decade; up 500% in the last 10 years. The other concern is that long-term use could desensitise the body's own melatonin production, creating a dependence on external supplementation.

Conclusion: Treading the Melatonin Path with Caution

Melatonin supplements can be a temporary ally in battling jet lag or adjusting to a new sleep schedule. However, the potential risks associated with its long-term use, coupled with the lack of stringent regulation, call for a cautious approach.

Our motivation to develop  ZL1, our highly effective and natural sleep supplement, was fuelled by the widespread reliance on pharmaceutical sleeping pills and the potential health risks associated with long-term melatonin use.