Melatonin gummies vs an herbal sleep drink: which should I choose?

Neither is best for everyone; the right choice depends on your goal, your health and how you react. Melatonin gummies add a hormone and have the clearest evidence for jet lag and shift work. Herbal drinks use traditionally used plants with more limited evidence. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) notes that 22 of 25 gummy products in a 2023 study were mislabeled.

That study found some gummies held up to 3.5 times the labeled amount of melatonin, so dose accuracy is a real consideration. NCCIH also reports 11,000 emergency department visits from 2019 to 2022 for unsupervised melatonin ingestion by children 5 and younger. Gummies can look like candy, so store any supplement out of children's reach.

Herbal drinks have their own cautions: chamomile for people with ragweed allergy, valerian with alcohol or sedatives, and ashwagandha in pregnancy.

If your issue is a shifted schedule, melatonin has better data. If you prefer a non-hormone evening ritual, an herbal drink such as Noddie Night is one option. Either way, ask your doctor first if you are pregnant, nursing, on medication or have a medical condition.

Source: NCCIH - Melatonin: What You Need To Know

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*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Noddie Night is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This page is general information, not medical advice.