Nature’s Harmony® 9 mg Melatonin is our maximum strength formula that helps in the temporary relief of insomnia. Melatonin promotes normal sleep patterns and more restful sleep. It also eases shift work transitions, and may relieve jet lag, without the hazards or side effects of prescription sleeping pills. Melatonin works to activate the body’s own natural sleep-wake cycle and helps maintain youthful, healthy tissues by supporting the body’s regeneration process. Causes of Deficiency: Poor diet, aging, depression or anxiety, stress, prescription medications, shift work. Symptoms of Deficiency: Sleeping problems, insomnia. Research: Several studies have shown an association between decreased melatonin levels and increased risk of insomnia. Research has shown that melatonin increases the speed of falling asleep, improves quality and duration of sleep, and reduces the frequency of nighttime waking. Studies also support the use of melatonin to reduce the effects of jet lag. Most importantly, melatonin is a sleep aid without any hangover-like side effects. Safety: Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding. Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you have a hormonal disorder, diabetes, liver or kidney disease, cerebral palsy, seizure disorders, migraine, depression and/or hypertension or if you are taking blood pressure or sedative/hypnotic medications. If symptoms persist continuously for more than four weeks or if pain or other factors appear to be the cause of sleeplessness, consult a health care practitioner. Do not use if taking immunosuppressive drugs. Do not drive or use machinery for five hours after taking melatonin. About Melatonin Melatonin regulates the body's sleep/wake cycles. Optimal levels of melatonin allow us to have restful and restorative sleep. Our sleep cycles can be disrupted by things like air travel and shift work, which confuse the body and can change its production of melatonin. Melatonin also cues the body to release growth hormone and sex hormones, which are used during sleep to repair body tissues and normalize hormone levels. The amount of melatonin produced by the body naturally declines as we age. Researchers believe that melatonin may be partly responsible for the aging process because as it declines so do levels of other hormones that allow the body to repair itself. Additionally melatonin is a powerful antioxidant, protecting the body from free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that in their bid to become more stable must bump into healthy cells and cause damage. Melatonin's antioxidant properties neutralize free radicals and therefore reduce damage to all body tissues. Melatonin is recommended by natural health practitioners for insomnia, jet lag, aging, cancer, frequent colds and flus, PMS, memory loss, arteriosclerosis, stroke and Alzheimer's disease.