The Truth About Melatonin (Most Women Aren’t Being Told This)

Today I listened to a powerful episode of The Diary of a CEO podcast featuring the sleep doctor who helped formalize chronotype research and I walked away both grateful and deeply concerned.

One of the biggest topics discussed was melatonin, something many of us have casually used or given our children without a second thought.

Here’s what stood out:

Melatonin is not a supplement.
It is a hormone.

And hormones don’t work in isolation, they influence the entire body.

In most countries, melatonin requires a prescription. The United States is one of the only places where it’s sold freely over the counter. The doctor explained that this is risky because when hormones are misused, they can create ripple effects far beyond the original intention.

What melatonin can interfere with:

• Antidepressants (SSRIs)
• Blood pressure medications
• Diabetes medications
• Birth control pills

This means many people are unknowingly creating medication interactions simply by taking a “sleep supplement.”

Melatonin + Children

He also stated very clearly that melatonin should not be given to children, even though many doctors currently prescribe it. Introducing hormones into developing bodies can disrupt delicate systems that are still forming.

The Dose Problem

Perhaps most shocking, the dosage.

He shared that the ideal dose for adults is often around 1–1.5mg, yet store shelves are stocked with 5mg, 10mg, even 20mg.

That’s insane!

And those crazy, vivid dreams people often experience?
He explained that this is one of the number one signs of melatonin overdose.

The Bigger Picture: Why Sleep Is Struggling

The most important truth shared was this:

When sleep is off, it’s rarely because the body is broken.
It’s because the body is out of balance.

Sleep struggles are often rooted in:
• Gut health imbalance
• Chronic stress
• Blood sugar dysregulation
• Nervous system overload
• Hormonal communication breakdown

Melatonin doesn’t fix these root causes, it often masks them.

A More Gentle Path Forward

Instead of forcing sleep, we can restore rhythm.

When we support the gut, stabilize blood sugar, calm the nervous system, nourish minerals, and regulate stress, the body naturally remembers how to sleep.

Because sleep is not something we create.
It’s something we allow.

If sleep has been a struggle for you or your child, I’d love to walk with you toward clarity and healing.

I offer free 20-minute consults where we gently explore what may be interfering with your rest and begin tracing it back to the root.

Your body is not broken.
It is wise.
And it deserves to be listened to. 🤍

With grace,
Nellissa