Melatonin
Hormone signaling light exposure; endogenous production varies with seasons; supplements are often supra-physiological and require caution, especially during pregnancy.
Research
Common Themes
Videos Mentioning Melatonin
Using Light (Sunlight, Blue Light & Red Light) to Optimize Health | Huberman Lab Essentials
Andrew Huberman
Hormone signaling light exposure; endogenous production varies with seasons; supplements are often supra-physiological and require caution, especially during pregnancy.
Controlling Your Dopamine For Motivation, Focus & Satisfaction
Andrew Huberman
Sleep aid mentioned as a supplement people sometimes use; included among substances affecting dopamine-related processes.
All Things Sleep Continued — Melatonin, Insomnia, Sleep & Sex, Lucid Dreaming, & More | Matt Walker
Tim Ferriss
A hormone often used as a sleep aid, but discussed as regulating sleep timing rather than generation, with potential risks at high doses and inaccuracy in labeling.
#48–Matt Walker, Ph.D., on Sleep (Part 2 of 3): Heart disease, cancer, causes of sleep disruption...
Peter Attia MD
A hormone released in darkness that helps time sleep onset. Artificial light, especially blue light from screens, significantly suppresses its release and delays its peak.
LIVE EVENT Q&A: Dr. Andrew Huberman Question & Answer in Toronto, ON
Andrew Huberman
A hormone secreted by the pineal gland, discussed in relation to circadian and circannual rhythms and seasonal depression.
All Things Sleep (Weight Gain, Alzheimer’s Disease, Caffeine, and More) — Dr. Matthew Walker
Tim Ferriss
A hormone that helps time sleep. Calorie restriction and fasting can impair its production and delay its release, making it harder to fall asleep.
Dr. Gina Poe: Use Sleep to Enhance Learning, Memory & Emotional State | Huberman Lab Podcast
Andrew Huberman
A hormone of nighttime that makes us sleepy, whose levels decline later in the night.
Q&A with Tim — Exercise And Morning Routines, Holotropic Breathwork, and More | The Tim Ferriss Show
Tim Ferriss
A sleep aid that Tim Ferriss uses occasionally but avoids for consistent daily use due to potential side effects like grogginess.
Weak Muscle Growth Beliefs (Episode 140)
Stronger By Science
An anecdotal reference to a widely cited but possibly non-existent study about melatonin's effects and lack of side effects.
E133: Market melt-up, IPO update, AI startups overheat, Reddit revolts & more with Brad Gerstner
All-In Podcast
A natural way to ease into sleep, which the speaker uses as part of a routine and finds effective.
Developing a Rational Approach to Supplementation for Health & Performance | Huberman Lab Podcast
Andrew Huberman
A hormone often taken for sleep, but Huberman advises against it due to it inducing sleepiness (not maintenance), inconsistent dosages in supplements, and potential impact on other hormone systems, especially in children.
Hamilton Morris on Iboga, 5-MeO-DMT, the Power of Ritual, New Frontiers in Psychedelics, and More
Tim Ferriss
A hormone from which 5-MeO-DMT can be synthesized microbially or on an enormous scale with minimal ecological repercussions, offering a sustainable alternative to toad venom.
Optimize Your Learning & Creativity With Science-Based Tools | Huberman Lab Essentials
Andrew Huberman
Hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles; its release subsides in the early morning hours.
Your Brain's Logic & Function | Dr. David Berson
Andrew Huberman
A hormone primarily released by the pineal gland, regulated by light input to the SCN, with high levels at night and low during the day.
Time Perception & Entrainment by Dopamine, Serotonin & Hormones
Andrew Huberman
A hormone released in the brain that affects sleep and regulates hormones like testosterone and estrogen. Its release is inhibited by light.
Timing Light, Food, & Exercise for Better Sleep, Energy & Mood | Dr. Samer Hattar
Andrew Huberman
A hormone whose release is inhibited by light, and whose levels are naturally high when light exposure is minimized after sunset, hence Dr. Hattar sees no personal need for its supplementation.
The Random Show: Boozy Quarantine Edition!
Tim Ferriss
A supplement discussed for sleep regulation.
YOU DON'T KNOW HOW MELATONIN WORKS!
The Diary Of A CEO
A hormone that regulates sleep rhythm by signaling to the brain when it's time to go to bed, rather than initiating sleep or affecting sleep drive. It can interact with SSRI medications, birth control, blood pressure medication, and diabetes medication. High doses can cause crazy dreams. It is not recommended for children, as they typically produce sufficient amounts naturally, and giving it to them can teach them to rely on pills for sleep.
How to Defeat Jet Lag, Shift Work & Sleeplessness | Huberman Lab Essentials
Andrew Huberman
A hormone produced by the pineal gland that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Discussed for its role in sleepiness, puberty timing, and potential use for shifting circadian clocks, though behavioral methods are preferred.
How Meditation Works & Science-Based Effective Meditations
Andrew Huberman
A hormone secreted by the pineal gland at night that promotes sleepiness and helps with falling asleep.
Matt Walker: Sleep | Lex Fridman Podcast #210
Lex Fridman
A hormone often called the 'hormone of darkness' or 'vampire hormone' because it's released at night to signal sleep; its release can be delayed or decreased by fasting.
The Science & Practice of Perfecting Your Sleep | Dr. Matt Walker
Andrew Huberman
Hormone naturally released by the pineal gland, signaling time of day and aiding sleep onset; as a supplement, it has limited efficacy in healthy adults, only slightly increasing sleep time and efficiency, but may be beneficial for older adults with insomnia.
The Science of Hearing, Balance & Accelerated Learning
Andrew Huberman
A hormone supplemented to aid sleep, but also shown in studies to modestly reduce the severity of tinnitus symptoms at doses around 3mg/day for 30 days or longer.
Sleep Toolkit: Tools for Optimizing Sleep & Sleep-Wake Timing
Andrew Huberman
A hormone naturally released in the evening to promote sleepiness, which can be suppressed by bright light exposure. Exogenous melatonin supplements are often supraphysiological and potentially problematic for chronic use.