The Other Side of Melatonin: Gut, Brain, and Whole-Body Benefits

I’ve known about melatonin for years. When I was in PA school, it was mentioned occasionally, and I noticed a few patients had it listed among their supplements for sleep. Later, after having children, I heard other moms talking about giving melatonin to their little ones to help them rest. I’ll admit—I gave melatonin to my own children at times, though not until they were at least five years old. I actually prefer magnesium as a natural sleep support, which remains one of my absolute favorite supplements (a topic I’ll have to save for another post).

Last year, I attended a webinar that shifted my view of melatonin. I realized it’s not just a “sleep hormone”—it’s so much more. In fact, melatonin plays a vital role throughout the body, and we produce less of it as we age.

Most people know melatonin as the hormone released in the brain that regulates our sleep-wake cycle. It also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It supports mitochondrial function, helping our cells produce and manage energy efficiently. Interestingly, melatonin is produced not only in the brain but also in the gut—and research suggests the gut may produce even more melatonin than the brain itself. However, the melatonin made in the gut seems to act locally rather than traveling through the bloodstream.

Even more fascinating, melatonin receptors are scattered all throughout the body: in the brain, skin, liver, bones, muscles, and kidneys. When you think about it, this raises an important question: if we have receptors in all of these areas, melatonin must have far-reaching roles beyond simply supporting sleep.

The Bigger Picture of Melatonin’s Benefits

Here are just a few of the areas researchers are exploring:

• Immune Health: Melatonin appears to modulate the immune system, potentially helping regulate inflammation.

• Brain Protection: Because of its antioxidant effects, melatonin may play a role in protecting brain cells from oxidative stress and supporting cognitive health as we age.

• Gut Health: With its local production in the digestive tract, melatonin is thought to influence motility and gut barrier function.

• Mitochondrial Support: Healthy mitochondria are essential for energy, and melatonin has been shown to protect and enhance mitochondrial function.

• Bone Health: Melatonin may support healthy bone density by promoting bone formation and slowing bone breakdown, especially as

What This Means for Everyday Health

When we view melatonin as more than a sleep supplement, it shifts how we think about supporting long-term health. While sleep is still its most well-known use, its influence on inflammation, gut health, energy, and even aging makes melatonin a fascinating area of study.

I’m not suggesting everyone needs to start supplementing with melatonin. In fact, more research is still being done, and it’s not always appropriate for everyone. But learning about melatonin’s wider roles helps us appreciate just how interconnected our hormones, gut, brain, and cells really are.

For me, this has been a reminder that our bodies are beautifully complex. Something we thought was “just a sleep aid” may actually be a key player in maintaining resilience throughout the body.

Ready to Learn More?

It’s also important to note that not all melatonin supplements are created equal. The form, quality, and source can make a difference in how your body responds. Personally, I take a phytomelatonin, a plant-based form, which aligns more naturally with the body.

If this has sparked your curiosity, I encourage you to dive deeper into the research on melatonin’s many roles in the body. A great resource is The Society for Research on Melatonin and Phytomelatonin.

If you’d like to understand how melatonin and other nutrients may fit into your personal health journey, I’d love to connect with you. I offer personalized wellness support to help you feel more resilient and balanced. You can schedule a complimentary discovery call with me here.