You can learn more about the versatile effects and current scientific findings regarding the hormone in our article on the effects of melatonin.
Melatonin as a Sleep Aid: Your Natural Sleep Inducer
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Time to read 8 min
When our eyes get heavy and our bodies slowly start to rest, one hormone is particularly active - melatonin. Restful sleep is essential for our health.
Sleep disorders, however, are an everyday burden for many people. According to a new study by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in three adults regularly gets too little sleep.¹
Sleeping aids, especially those containing the active ingredient melatonin, can help.
Table of Contents
What is melatonin? Melatonin - Effect of the sleep hormone The effects of melatonin at a glance What can influence melatonin production? Melatonin production is influenced by age Shift work and jet lag inhibit the production of the sleep hormone Medication lowers melatonin levels Digital devices influence melatonin formation Chronic stress disrupts hormone balance Melatonin deficiency as a result of serotonin deficiency Menopause can cause melatonin deficiency in women Lack of light in autumn and winter leads to increased melatonin production Possible reasons for an altered melatonin level at a glance Melatonin with CBD Conclusion
What is melatonin?
Melatonin is an endogenous hormone that is primarily produced in the pineal gland. This happens through the conversion of the neurotransmitter serotonin. The messenger substance is largely responsible for our internal clock and regulates when we get tired and wake up again.
Melatonin is therefore largely responsible for maintaining our biorhythm, i.e. our internal clock, because the melatonin concentration in the blood transmits the message to our body when it is day and when it is night.
Since melatonin is directly related to sunlight, melatonin levels tend to be higher in winter due to shorter days. This often results in increased sleepiness, also known as "winter depression".
Infants produce very little melatonin, while children between three and four years of age have the highest melatonin concentration. From adolescence onwards, melatonin production continuously decreases until in old age there is virtually no longer any detectable difference in concentration between day and night in the blood. This has a significant impact on insomnia in older people.
In addition, melatonin is also a so-called antioxidant, i.e. a free radical scavenger. Therefore, the hormone is said to have life-extending, skin-rejuvenating and cell-protecting effects. It is also said to prevent Alzheimer's and reduce the side effects of chemotherapy. However, this has not been definitively confirmed.
CBD and Melatonin - Experiences of users of hanfgeflüster sleep oil
The hanfgeflüster "Deep Sleep" sleep oil with CBD and melatonin is available in various concentrations. Read here what experiences our customers have shared:
"To all those who haven't ordered from Hanfgeflüster yet... Do it! Just give it a try. The products are great. The sleep oil with chamomile and melatonin works wonders (for me). I can finally fall asleep faster again."
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"The drops with melatonin actually work, I can fall asleep much better."
"Good effect! I use CBD oil with melatonin almost every evening and it works quickly and doesn't taste as bad as other products with melatonin (drops) from other companies."
hanfgeflüster sleep oil with CBD and melatonin
Melatonin - Effect of the sleep hormone
In the evening, the small pineal gland begins to filter the serotonin produced during the day from the blood. Through chemical processes, it changes the molecules of the hormone and forms melatonin from them, which is then released into our blood. Darkness promotes the synthesis and release of the sleep hormone, while light restricts it. ² ³
Therefore, how much melatonin is produced depends very much on the eye. When sunlight hits the retina, melatonin formation is suppressed. In the dark, on the other hand, the release of the hormone is stimulated. In this way, the body recognizes that it is time to rest.
The pineal gland produces 12 times more melatonin in the brain when it gets dark. This reduces our energy consumption, body temperature and blood pressure drop, and we become sleepy.
In addition, the increased melatonin concentration supports our immune system and releases sex hormones. Melatonin is particularly supposed to initiate the deep sleep phase.⁴ The highest concentration of the hormone can be detected in the blood around 3 a.m.
The stress hormone cortisol is the natural antagonist of the sleep hormone melatonin. In the early morning, cortisol begins its work, activates bodily functions, awakens our organism, and we ideally start the day fresh and productive.
When the three hormones serotonin, melatonin, and cortisol work together healthily, the cortisol level in the body drops again in the evening, the melatonin level rises, and we relax and come to rest.
Regardless of its previously described effects, melatonin is also considered a kind of anti-aging agent. Since its antioxidant properties neutralize free radicals that would otherwise damage cells and cause faster cell aging, the hormone is attributed a skin-rejuvenating effect.
Melatonin's Effects at a Glance
- Shortens the time it takes to fall asleep
- Regulates the sleep-wake rhythm
- Improves sleep quality
- Reduces energy consumption
- Lowers blood pressure
- Influences metabolic processes
- Stimulates the immune system
- Stimulates the production of growth hormones and thus cell regeneration
- Promotes the production of sex hormones
- Suppresses appetite
What can influence melatonin production?
The human hormonal balance can quickly become disturbed. There are a variety of factors that can lead to a deficiency or excess of melatonin in the body.
Melatonin production is influenced by age
Age is an important cause of melatonin deficiency. Infants can fall asleep and sleep through the night better due to higher melatonin production. As the pineal gland produces less and less melatonin over the course of life, older people often suffer from sleep problems. Of course, a general statement cannot be made here, but it should definitely be considered as a cause.
Shift work and jet lag inhibit the production of the sleep hormone
For people who work in shifts, the day-wake rhythm often gets out of balance, which has a strong influence on melatonin production. The same thing happens in the short term when we travel through different time zones, as the time difference disrupts our internal clock. The result is the well-known jet lag.
Medications lower melatonin levels
As a side effect or main effect, some medications influence melatonin production. Certain antidepressants and antibiotics, as well as methylphenidate, beta-blockers, and oral contraceptives, for example, can therefore impair nocturnal rest.
Digital devices influence melatonin production
If we use our smartphone before going to bed, we often have trouble sleeping afterward. This is due to artificial light and its blue light component. Electromagnetic radiation in general also has negative effects on melatonin secretion and reduces sleep quality. For this reason, you should completely avoid digital devices such as smartphones, televisions, and PCs in your bedroom.
Chronic stress unbalances the hormonal system
In the previous text, we explained that cortisol is the natural antagonist of melatonin. The hormone cortisol is stimulated by chronic stress, causing cortisol levels to be permanently too high. As a direct consequence, melatonin cannot be released in the necessary amounts, and we cannot relax in the evening.
Melatonin deficiency as a result of serotonin deficiency
During the day, we produce serotonin, which is converted into melatonin in the pineal gland in the evening. If we have too little serotonin in our bodies, insufficient melatonin cannot be formed.
Menopause can cause melatonin deficiency in women
During menopause, women undergo major hormonal changes. In addition to hormones like estrogen, the concentration of melatonin in the blood also changes. Reduced production promotes sleep disturbances during menopause.
Lack of light in autumn and winter leads to increased melatonin production
You've probably experienced it yourself: you're often tired and lethargic during the winter months. The reason for this is the short days and the associated lack of light. Due to the increased darkness, more melatonin is produced during the day, disrupting our biological clock, so we are already tired during the day.
Therefore, it is highly recommended to make the best possible use of the few hours of daylight in autumn and winter. By getting fresh air and going for walks, we can boost our serotonin production in winter and bring our hormonal balance back into equilibrium.
Possible reasons for an altered melatonin level at a glance
- Different amounts of light reach our eyes depending on the season
- Decrease in melatonin production with increasing age
- Stimulants such as caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol
- Certain medications (antidepressants, antibiotics, beta-blockers)
- Electrical radiation and artificial light
- Shift work and jet lag
- Chronic stress = excess cortisol
- Low serotonin production
- Pregnancy and menopause in women
CBD Sleep Oils from Hanfgeflüster with Melatonin
Melatonin with CBD
Studies show that CBD can reduce stress and contribute to healthy sleep. Since melatonin and CBD can be taken together, the body can relax even better and calm down through the combination of the two active ingredients. The result of this combination is restful sleep and more inner peace.
In the meantime, there are several products that combine both active ingredients, giving you easy access to all their benefits. The best way to take CBD and melatonin is orally with an oil or spray.
If you have sleep problems, we recommend Hanfgeflüster 10% CBD Sleep Oil with melatonin and chamomile. These calming drops are a natural full-spectrum oil with a THC content of <0.2%. If you prefer something fruitier, our 10% CBD Spray with melatonin is just right for you. Infused with natural orange extract, it becomes your perfect companion at night. Both products are vegan, cruelty-free, and contain no artificial preservatives. As with all our CBD products, we guarantee TÜV-certified quality here too.
The dosage of CBD-melatonin products depends on various factors such as weight, gender, and metabolism, which is why a general dosage recommendation is not possible. Since human biology varies from person to person, there can be different reactions and tolerances when taking it. It is best to take a small number of drops orally about 30 minutes before bedtime. Keep the product under your tongue for about 2-3 minutes so that it can be optimally absorbed by the mucous membranes before swallowing. You can then increase the dosage until you feel the desired effect.
Conclusion
Melatonin is essential for healthy sleep. If we have too much or too little melatonin in our blood, our internal clock can quickly get out of balance, which can lead to sleep problems. Studies show that CBD and melatonin can be taken together and have the potential to contribute to healthy sleep. Through the calming effect of CBD in combination with the natural sleep hormone melatonin, restful sleep can be promoted and the sleep-wake rhythm regulated.
