Liquid Melatonin: The 5 Best Products

If you’re looking for liquid melatonin for kids, this version is explicitly formulated for children three and up, although you should talk to your pediatrician first. Zarbee’s liquid melatonin for kids is created by pediatrician Dr. Zak Zarbock.

He said he came up with this proprietary blend after discovering parents wanted products that were safe and effective and also made without chemicals.

According to reviews, parents who use this liquid melatonin for kids feel it is effective for occasional use, and their kids tend to have no problem taking it. Again, it’s important that you talk to your pediatrician before using liquid melatonin for kids.

How Does It Work?

Melatonin liquid products can help with occasional insomnia and sleep problems. Melatonin is one of the most popular supplements, and many people use it occasionally because it’s generally considered safe and effective.

When you take melatonin, it replicates the effects of your body’s natural melatonin, which is a hormone we all make. Sometimes our production of hormones can be affected by screens and lights, shift work, jet lag, and other factors, so we need the help of a supplement.

Anywhere from 50 to 70  million Americans are affected by sleep problems, and up to 30% of U.S. adults say they get less than six hours of sleep every night. The effects of a lack of sleep can be serious. It can increase your risk of chronic illnesses, deplete your immune system, and lower energy levels.

Melatonin helps your body know it’s nighttime, so you can relax and fall asleep. It works in tandem with your circadian rhythm. Your circadian rhythm is the internal clock that lets you know when it’s time to go to sleep, wake up and eat.

Melatonin also helps regulate your blood pressure, body temperature, and your levels of other hormones.

Typically, the melatonin your body naturally makes starts to go up when it gets dark, letting you know it’s time to sleep. Melatonin can also reduce dopamine levels, a hormone that keeps you awake.

People who take melatonin supplements tend to report falling asleep more quickly and staying asleep longer.

Other Health Benefits of Melatonin

Along with helping your body fall asleep, melatonin has some other significant health benefits.

• Melatonin is a potent antioxidant that may help fight free radical damage.
• Studies have shown that melatonin can support eye health and reduce the risk of eye disorders like age-related macular degeneration.
• Some people find that melatonin helps with heartburn and stomach ulcers, likely because it is an antioxidant.
• Taking a melatonin supplement can help reduce tinnitus symptoms.
• In healthy men, research has found melatonin can increase human growth hormone levels.
• Research shows that higher melatonin doses could help protect against cancer or reduce cancer symptoms, especially when someone is going through treatment. Melatonin might also reverse chemotherapy resistance in some types of cancers.

How Do You Take Liquid Supplements?

If you take a melatonin liquid supplement, follow the dosage instructions on the packaging. You need to be careful with liquid melatonin because it tends to be more potent than capsules or pills and more quickly and easily absorbed.

It’s a good idea to start slow with a new supplement. For example, try 0.5 mg or 1 mg around 30 minutes before bed. You can gradually up the dosage if you find that you need it. The goal when taking a liquid melatonin supplement is to use the lowest possible dose to help you fall asleep.

Don’t combine melatonin and alcohol, either.

Possible mild side effects may occur with liquid melatonin or other melatonin supplements, such as headaches, nausea, or dizziness. Overall, though, it tends to be safe and not habit-forming. There’s also no evidence that using a melatonin supplement lowers your body’s own natural production.

Melatonin can interact with some medicines, such as sedatives, blood thinners, and blood pressure medicine, so talk to your doctor if you take any medications.

Comparing the Different Types of Melatonin

The following is a brief comparison of the different types of melatonin and how they stack up against liquid melatonin.

Capsules and Tablets

The pros of capsules and tablets include that they have a longer shelf life and no taste.

The cons are that they’re difficult to swallow and can take a while to work. Plus, since the capsules and tablets have to go through the digestive process, your body may not get as much melatonin in your system.

Liquid 

Liquid melatonin is a good option if you don’t like swallowing pills, and it absorbs more quickly. The downsides are the taste and the fact that liquid melatonin is often more expensive than capsules and tablets.

Gummies

Gummy versions of melatonin have a good taste and are an excellent way for kids to take vitamins and supplements. However, some people might be more likely to take them like candy and take a dose that’s too high. Gummies also tend to have a lot of additives and sweeteners.

Frequently Asked Questions

The following are brief answers to some of the most common questions about liquid melatonin.

What is Liquid Melatonin?

As the name indicates, melatonin liquid is a liquid version of a melatonin supplement. It has advantages over tablets or capsules in a few key ways. First, it may be easier for some people to take. Since it’s absorbed in the mouth and doesn’t have to be processed by the GI system, it may also work more quickly and effectively. You might be able to take a lower dose of liquid melatonin and still get the desired effects.

How Do You Take a Liquid Supplement?

When it comes to how to take liquid melatonin, you should try to take a dose of around 30 minutes before you head to bed. Melatonin liquid products will start working more quickly, so don’t take it too early, or you’ll become exhausted.

Don’t start with a huge dose, either, especially if you aren’t used to taking melatonin. Anywhere from one to three milligrams is a good starting dose.

It’s also a good idea to follow a good sleep routine. For example, try avoiding your phone and other screens several hours before bed. Creating a relaxing bedtime routine will help the melatonin be more effective.

How Many Milligrams Should I Take?

First and foremost, follow the dosage instructions of the specific melatonin product you choose. The typical recommendation for adults taking liquid melatonin is, to begin with, one to three milligrams and gradually increase if needed.

Where Can I Buy These Products?

You can buy liquid melatonin at the drugstore, but sometimes it’s hard to find in person. All of our picks for the best melatonin drops are available on Amazon.

How Much  Should You Give a Child?

The most important thing we can emphasize about giving liquid melatonin to a child is that you should ask your doctor first. There are no official dosage guidelines since melatonin is a supplement and not regulated by the FDA.

Your doctor will help you determine if it’s safe and beneficial for you to give liquid melatonin to your child, and if so, they can also give you guidance on dosage.

Most children who benefit from melatonin need tiny doses of around 0.5 mg. Younger children might be given up to 3 mg at the discretion of their pediatrician, and older children and teens might take a slightly higher dose.

While there isn’t research showing that melatonin is unsafe when used by kids, there’s also no concrete evidence that it’s safe, which is why you should talk to your doctor.

There have been studies looking at the use of melatonin in children with ADHD or autism spectrum disorders, and these have found some evidence that it can help children safely fall asleep. Even in those studies, they’re short-term, so we don’t know about the long-term effects.

Final Thoughts

We always like taking a liquid supplement or vitamin when available because your body absorbs them and uses them much better. We recommend liquid melatonin instead of other versions, such as pills or tablets. Our picks for the top liquid melatonin products are top-rated by users for effectiveness, and they seem to help you fall asleep and stay asleep genuinely. Remember to talk to your doctor before taking melatonin or any other supplement.