It seems like we're all struggling to get truly restful, restorative sleep at night right now
Supplements are becoming increasingly popular, with melatonin use alone jumping from 0.4 percent in 2000 to 2.1 percent in 2018
Many of us are turning to melatonin and other natural sleep remedies like dietary supplements because the last few years have rocked our sleep schedules
If you've ever taken a supp like melatonin and found yourself wide awake in the middle of the night, you've likely wondered if these dietary extras actually work
And surprisingly, some of the most popular sleep supps might seem like they're helping you sleep better, but the impact may be more of a placebo effect
Take melatonin, for example. As Dr. Donald D. Hensrud, M.D., M.S. of the Mayo Clinic says, "[Melatonin] really doesn't increase the duration of sleep that much
You don't want to rely on them long-term. Taking too much melatonin can disrupt your natural circadian rhythms - which makes sleep worse
Try adding foods such as tart cherries, pumpkin seeds, or fatty fish to your evening meal. Tart cherries contain melatonin, the hormone responsible for healthy sleep