Melatonin Regulates Your Sleep Cycle Naturally Melatonin is often called the “sleep hormone,” but its role goes far beyond simply making you feel drowsy. It plays a key part in regulating your internal body clock , known as the circadian rhythm, helping your body maintain a natural sleep-wake cycle. What Is Melatonin? Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland, a small gland located in the brain. Its release is closely tied to light exposure: Darkness triggers production Light suppresses it As evening approaches and natural light fades, melatonin levels rise, signaling to your body that it’s time to wind down and prepare for sleep. How Melatonin Controls Your Sleep Cycle Melatonin works in harmony with your circadian rhythm to regulate when you feel awake and when you feel sleepy. Here’s how it naturally manages your sleep cycle: Responds to Light and Darkness Your eyes detect light and send signals to the brain. When it gets dark: The brain tells the pineal gland to re...