What is melatonin -- and should you take it to fall asleep? | Sleeping with Science

Published: 01 December 2021
on channel: TED

421,818

8.7k

Melatonin is the hormone that tells our brains and bodies it’s time to sleep. But if you think melatonin supplements will significantly improve your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep, you may have been misled. Sleep scientist Matt Walker shares how this “hormone of darkness” really works.

Sleep -- we spend one-third of our lives doing it, but what exactly do we get out of it? And how can we do it better? In this TED series, sleep scientist Matt Walker uncovers the facts and secrets behind our nightly slumber. Check out more episodes on TED.com: https://go.ted.com/sleepingwithscience

Visit http://TED.com to get our entire library of TED Talks, transcripts, translations, personalized talk recommendations and more.

The TED Talks channel features the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more. You're welcome to link to or embed these videos, forward them to others and share these ideas with people you know.

Become a TED Member: http://ted.com/membership
Follow TED on Twitter:   / tedtalks
Like TED on Facebook:   / ted
Subscribe to our channel:    / ted

TED's videos may be used for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons License, Attribution–Non Commercial–No Derivatives (or the CC BY – NC – ND 4.0 International) and in accordance with our TED Talks Usage Policy (https://www.ted.com/about/our-organiz.... For more information on using TED for commercial purposes (e.g. employee learning, in a film or online course), please submit a Media Request at https://media-requests.ted.com

Watch video What is melatonin -- and should you take it to fall asleep? | Sleeping with Science online, duration hours minute second in high quality that is uploaded to the channel TED 01 December 2021. Share the link to the video on social media so that your subscribers and friends will also watch this video. This video clip has been viewed 421,818 times and liked it 8.7 thousand visitors.

2,232,818

1.2K