Are you watching the night turn into the day as you lay in bed, waiting to fall asleep? Or are you feeling lethargic throughout the day for no reason?
If you’re having bad nights, you’re not alone. Around 1 in 3 people worldwide suffer from insomnia and other sleeping disorders. And so, it’s not unusual to seek other options.
Luckily, there are many ways to fall asleep faster and have better sleep quality. From natural sleeping aids to medical interventions, there are plenty of tips and tricks to try out.
In this blog, we’re focusing on one of these solutions: a melatonin spray. Does melatonin spray work, and can it help you? Let’s find out!
What is a melatonin spray?
Melatonin spray is an over-the-counter hormone spray that can help people fall asleep faster. These sprays usually consist of melatonin, vitamins, magnesium, and sometimes even essential oils to promote better sleep.
But what is melatonin? Melatonin is a hormone made in the pineal gland in your brain that is responsible for regulating our circadian rhythm— also known as our sleep cycles!
When you direct the melatonin spray in your nose or mouth, it’s instantly absorbed into your bloodstream and travels to your brain where it binds with receptors to regularize your sleep.
Types of melatonin spray
Melatonin sprays are readily available over-the-counter in 2 different ways:
- Nasal, and
- Oral.
Nasal melatonin sprays deliver the hormone by being absorbed in your nostril’s rich blood-vessel membranes. On the other hand, oral melatonin spray delivers melatonin through your mouth, which again is rich in blood vessels!
Now let’s answer the question you came here searching for, “Does melatonin spray work?”
Does melatonin spray work?
Melatonin spray is an effective remedy for sleeplessness so, yes, it can work to improve your sleep cycle. Since the main component of these sprays is a hormone responsible for improving our internal clock, it can trick our brains into a better rhythm much faster.
Studies have actually shown that melatonin is beneficial for people who complain about poor sleeping habits and quality.
While the research on the subject is not extremely extensive, we can say that the spray can be effective and appropriately safe to use, as long as you’re taking the right measures.
However, it is not a permanent cure for insomnia or any sleeping disorder! So, it should not be used as a regular medication or solution. Melatonin sprays are designed to correct your sleep cycle every once in a while when it can get out of your control.
Is there a difference between melatonin spray vs tablets?
A study on this question was conducted in 2012. The results concluded that there’s no relevant difference between melatonin tablets and melatonin sprays and the effect for both has a similar effect on users.
However, using melatonin sprays helps to administer the hormone faster since it bypasses the liver metabolism and enters the bloodstream directly and swiftly. So the only difference in both these products is how fast it impacts you!
How to use melatonin spray before sleep
The good news is that there’s no rocket science involved in using melatonin spray! The administration is simple, easy, and will quickly get you sleeping.
Make sure to buy a high-quality product from the pharmacy and read the instructions for the specific recommended dosage.
Then, simply spray the recommended amount in your nostrils or mouth. You should start noticing an effect in 30 minutes, but it can take up to an hour in some cases too!
Hence, experts consider it best to take melatonin spray 30 minutes before bedtime so you don’t have to lie awake while waiting for it to work.
To have an even better sleep quality than before, we recommend practicing yoga to fall asleep faster after using the melatonin spray!
Safety precautions for using melatonin spray
Like any medical prescription, melatonin spray has its side effects and safety precautions that you should keep in mind. The spray is generally safe to use with relatively minimal side effects.
Yet, here are a few precautions you should take when using the melatonin spray:
- Consult your doctor before using melatonin in any form if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- If you have any autoimmune disorder, consult with your doctor.
- If you are taking blood pressure medication or have diabetes, please ask your doctor before taking any melatonin!
Now that we’ve gone through all the safety precautions around melatonin spray, here are a few side effects of melatonin:
- Hypotension
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Drowsiness
- Respiratory depression
If you notice any of these symptoms, you should consult a medical practitioner as soon as you can and stop taking melatonin in the meantime. After all, you’re better safe than sorry!
Can children use melatonin spray?
No, melatonin spray is not recommended for children under 5 years old. Naturally, melatonin levels are very low as your circadian rhythm is still developing by that age. However, it can be safely used by teenagers and children above 5 years old, but only in regulated amounts and isolated cases.
The dosage depends on the child’s age and weight, and we highly recommend consulting a doctor before using a melatonin spray on children. If you are seeking answers regarding sleep, you can always join our WhatsApp community for free and learn more about things like Melatonin.
Final Thoughts
Being unable to sleep at night or waking up fatigued often means your sleep quality has taken a hit. Not fulfilling your sleep needs can make you exhausted and unable to perform routine work, making it an alarming case in the long run.
And so, we wrote this article to help you learn all about melatonin sprays and how they might be a solution for you! In this article, we answered the question, “Does melatonin spray work?” and we hope this was a helpful read to you!
F A Q
How long does spray melatonin take to work?
In most cases melatonin sleep sprays can take 30-60 minutes to show the effects. For best results, it is recommended to use the spray approximately 30 minutes before bedtime to help ease into sleep.
How many melatonin sprays should I take?
For adults, the recommended dose is 3 sprays taken orally, once daily, at or before bedtime. It’s important to consult your healthcare practitioner before starting this regimen or if you plan to use it for more than 4 weeks.
Where do you apply melatonin spray?
To maximize the effectiveness of the melatonin spray, apply it directly under the tongue. This sublingual method enables rapid absorption of melatonin into the bloodstream, enhancing its bioavailability and onset of action. Additionally, those experiencing jet lag can also benefit from the spray, as it contributes to alleviating the subjective symptoms associated with changing time.
