Why This Nutrition Expert Won't Take Melatonin For Sleep + What She Uses Instead

Sleep is essential to everything from optimal energy to focus to cellular repair, and when we don't get enough of it, our bodies and minds feel the difference. As such, many people turn to hormonal sleep supplements like melatonin in an effort catch more zzz's—but according to integrative nutrition expert Neda Varbanova M.A., that's not such a great idea.

"Melatonin is something a lot of people take for sleep, but did you know that melatonin is actually a hormone? And it's not so good for your other hormones like estrogen1," she says, adding that she actually has bad dreams when she takes melatonin supplements.

Not to mention, melatonin is a hormone, and taking supplemental melatonin nightly has the potential to impact your body's natural release of melatonin as well as other hormones. As Varbanova says, "mindbodygreen's sleep support+ is a great alternative."

With sleep support+ you get all the benefits of a good night's sleep—without the hormones, nightmares, or grogginess often associated with melatonin. This formula has a rock star trio of research-backed ingredients, including 120 mg of magnesium bisglycinate, along with relaxing jujube seed extract and PharmaGABA®, to promote deep and restorative sleep.*