Melatonin is a hormone produced naturally in our bodies. Melatonin is made by the pineal gland which is a small pea-sized gland in the mid-brain. During sleep melatonin is produced to help our bodies regulate our sleep-wake cycles. Young people appear to have more melatonin in their body than older people. Scientists think this may be why young people have less problems sleeping than older people.

Current research is being conducted on melatonin's effect as an antioxidant, immuno-modulator in cancer, delayed sleep-phase disorders, and jet lag. But until clinical studies are performed, the extent of therapeutic and adverse effects of melatonin cannot be fully documented.

Most people use 3 milligrams nightly as a dosage.