Natrol Sleep Advanced Melatonin Time Release Tablets, Nighttime Sleep Aid

Melatonin changes your circadian rhythm. It does not make you sleep. Your body does that. According to my doctor, you need to give any natural supplement like melatonin time to work. If you want something that works faster, then try Silexan - this is a purified extract from lavender oil. It works by relieving tension and anxiety allowing you to fall asleep. Assuming it works (it's pretty mild), it will work on the first or second pill. I tried Integrative Therapeutics and it was very effective putting me to sleep but it didn't keep me asleep. Melatonin is synthesized from serotonin, so if you are depressed/anxious then odds are good that your serotonin levels are low and you have very little melatonin. If this is so, then the odds that melatonin pills will work are pretty good. Of course, if it ain't so, then it could be something else completely. For example, my cortisol (stress hormone) levels are upside down - low in the morning and very high in the evening. It just keeps rising as the night advances and I get livelier. In order for the melatonin to work, first I had to control the cortisol levels. I did this by taking ashwagandha supplements. I attended a tutorial for MD's taught by Dr. Low Dog. She is an herbalist, MD, faculty at the Univ. of Arizona program in Integrative Medicine. She also started and Chaired the US government committee which reviews herbal supplements and safety. According to Dr. Low Dog, ashwagandha will reverse this odd cortisol pattern but you have to take it 24/7 for at least four weeks. I've been taking it for 6 weeks and I think it's finally working. I'm getting sleepy at night instead of running around in circles faster and faster. Of course, I'm still going to bed at 2 AM. So, I ordered some melatonin. Because Dr. Low Dog also had a lecture on melatonin and it's very, very beneficial even if it doesn't make you sleepy. It's a powerful antioxidant and I notice the price is way lower than many other powerful antioxidants. Took melatonin 2 hours before desired bedtime Day one - worked as if it were a knockout pill - slept 12 hours Days 2-4 - no apparent effect Days 5 - very similar to day one Repeat days 2-5 After two weeks: bedtime is changing to desired bedtime but sleep cycle is still 12 hours one night followed by nights of short sleep with no apparent early sleepiness. Also, cycles of short vs. long nights of sleep is getting shorter. In a fit of frustration, I took the melatonin AND the silexan together. I slept for 12 hours and then spent 3 hours flopping around in bed, grunting and trying to wake up enough to haul myself out. Only for the desperate. In the middle of the two weeks, I realized the chemical connection between melatonin and serotonin. I am bipolar and a known under producer of serotonin. I went and ate some inositol - this is vitamin B8 normally produced by the probiotics in your gut but I'm also being treated for a gut infection. Inositol is required for the production of serotonin along with a few other ingredients. The inositol usually controls my panic attacks, anxiety and depression but those symptoms seem to be under control. Sure enough, for about 2-4 days after I took the inositol, my sleep improved dramatically. Looks like you need serotonin and melatonin to stay calm enough to sleep and to stay asleep. If you don't want to tinker with your serotonin levels (an activity not without danger), Dr. Low Dog recommends either chamomile or lemon balm tea. Both are calming, simple, effective and inexpensive (she likes inexpensive, the first MD I've ever heard praise a $3 box of medicine in teabags). The trick is to drink 3-4 cups throughout the day, every day, to get the effect. Remember to give it some time to get going. Also, both lemon balm and chamomile have no known safety issues with other herbs, supplements or medications. What about inositol? Well, if you are the wrong kind of bipolar genetics ( the over-methylators = 30% of bipolars respond poorly. Bipolars are 2% of the population, so about 0.6% of the general population responds poorly. I don't know about other genetic conditions that might be sensitive ) then it might make you manic in high doses. Conclusion; the melatonin is working great but I'm afraid to take it because I might sleep 12 hours. It's most likely much too strong especially the time-release portion. Time to order some more melatonin and try again. And if the melatonin never really works? I'm still taking it. It's MUCH less expensive than other antioxidants and I'm a big believer in protecting my mitochondria. I've had my mitochondria taken out before and it's simply awful. Please don't start taking any of these supplements without getting more background first. There are side effects. Update: It turns out it's best to start melatonin at a lower level (3 mg was right for me), then after a few months you can increase the level as you build up a small tolerance. I've settled on 5 mg quick release. My friend and I both had this reaction.

In my personal experience using this, it does exactly what it says it will, quickly and effectively. I didn't have any unpleasant side effects and have felt refreshed the next day after. Recommend.

The item worked well for sleep. I'm just concerned because the product includes mg calcium. I take vitamin d supplement which is required to absorb calcium. I don't need more calcium and I don't want too much. My levels are in normal range before I started this melatonin. Now I'm looking for one without calcium.

Works well

great product

I got these because I wanted the 10 MG of melatonin at a lower price. It seems certain brands work well for me and certain others don't. this goes for everything from centrum to source naturals. This isn't one of the brands that does the greatest job for me. It helps me feel sleepy, but I don't feel so sleepy that I want to go to bed. maybe the outer layer isn't a strong enough potency... Once I get to sleep it keeps me asleep which is a relief. The problem with it not making me sleepy is if I am in the middle of something, I can force off the sleepy feeling and not get to sleep until late. so not my favorite, the spring valley works better for me. Spring Valley - Melatonin 10 mg, Timed Release, 120 Tablets

Great

I really enjoy using these. They obviously don't have a flavor unless you intend on sucking on them which you really aren't supposed to do. As far as the value for money goes I do believe that this product is valued appropriately and as far as sleep quality goes I love using them! Why you should: You will get a deep and effective sleep while using this product. My wife actually woke up after having taken it one night very out of it because of the deepness of her sleep. I do believe though that the longer you take it the less likely that you will wake up and be foggy headed or drowsy. I've taken it multiple times and it gives me a really great sleep I, I feel energized in the morning and it helps to knock me out pretty quickly. There is a noticeable difference when I wake up after having taken it and when I don't take it and I must say that I really enjoy the deepness of my sleeve when I take this product. Why you shouldn't: I would recommend that the first time you take it you do so on a weekend or on a day that you don't have to get up early for work the next day because it could possibly make you drowsy and could possibly whack you out a little bit. Although I don't think that these effects will be lasting if you take the product regularly I do think that this is something worth mentioning.

You should always use timed release melatonin, it works unlike the instant release. Take 2 hours before you plan on sleeping, it works better that way. If you have it with some warm milk or chamomile tea, it should help you feel drowsy. It may not work for you, but I recommend giving it a chance before going on prescription sleeping meds - which can give you a hangover like feeling the next day. Timed Release melatonin only works if I take it about 2 hours before I want to go to sleep. I find if I take it right before bed, it doesn’t help because it takes a while to kick in. Another benefit is there no fatigue or drowsiness the next day, at least for me.

go to sleep and stay asleep. Loving it

Not really good. Disappointing

Works perfectly!