I'm A Nurse: Here's Why I Won't Take Melatonin & The Supplement I Trust Instead

There are few well-being practices more important to me than my sleep. The health benefits that come with it are a great perk, but for me, it's all about shutting out the world and having some alone time (yes, I'm introverted). But as a night-shift nurse, sleeping well can be a major challenge. 

I've tried melatonin supplements in the past, and not only did they not work well for me, but they're also not intended for daily long-term use. 

Melatonin supplementation has become so commonplace that most people—even health care professionals like myself—aren't always aware of its real purpose. Melatonin is a hormone that our bodies naturally produce in order to regulate our circadian rhythms. By signaling to our brains that it's time to wind down, the hormone also plays a role in immune function,1 heart function2, blood sugar maintenance3, hormonal health, and more. 

I'm a sucker for a good review, and mbg's sleep support+ had tons of them—everyone was raving about how the product helped them sleep soundly, wake up feeling refreshed, and transition off of melatonin for good.* So almost nine months ago, I decided to give it a go. 

The first thing I noticed was how seamlessly I was able to wind down for bed* (which is rare coming off of a 12-hour shift in the critical care unit). Once my mind and my body were calm, it became easy for me to drift into sleep—and actually stay asleep.*

Typically, the bright lights and noise of the New York City streets would wake me up, but I found myself sleeping through all of it.* Best of all: I woke up feeling truly rested and rejuvenated—ready for my next shift.*