A Beginner’s Guide to Melatonin
Melatonin has been a buzzword for years, but what is it, exactly? Here, everything you need to know about this naturally occurring hormone and supplement.
What Is Melatonin?
In the center of your brain is the pinecone-shaped pineal gland, which really has one main job—producing melatonin. It works by both receiving and sending signals surrounding light and darkness in your environment. In response to those signals, it either makes melatonin (when it senses darkness) or shuts off production (when it senses light). This is exactly why it’s a bad idea to pick up your smartphone in the middle of the night if you can’t sleep. “The phone’s light will tell your brain to stop making melatonin and start the day,” Martin says.