Natrol

Melatonin 1mg

Name: Natrol Melatonin 1mg
Brand: Natrol
Price: 8.99 USD
Availability: InStock

Worth BuyingSleep

One of the few melatonin products at the correct dose. Most melatonin supplements are 3-10mg — dramatically overdosed. The physiologically appropriate dose is 0.3-1mg. Natrol gets this right, and at $0.10/serving it is essentially free.

79/ 100

Biorank Score

Independently ranked

79/ 100

Biorank Score

Independently ranked by Biorank Laboratories

Our Verdict

Worth Buying

Natrol Melatonin 1mg earns a strong score primarily because it uses the correct dose — something most competitors get wrong. The melatonin supplement market is dominated by 3-10mg products that are 3-30x the physiological dose, creating side effects without additional benefit. No hype penalty because Natrol does not overclaim. The moderate formulation score reflects that it is a simple tablet without any additional sleep-support ingredients. At $0.10/serving, the value is exceptional.

Key Findings

1mg is the correct dose — most melatonin products are 3-30x overdosed at 3-10mg
Zhdanova et al. (2001) showed 0.3mg was equally effective as 3mg with fewer side effects
Meta-analysis (19 RCTs, n=1,683) confirms melatonin reduces sleep onset latency by ~7 minutes
At $0.10/serving, one of the cheapest evidence-backed supplements in the entire database
Industry-wide quality concern: Erland & Saxena (2017) found melatonin content varies up to 478% from label claims

Evidence Analysis

Melatonin is one of the most evidence-backed sleep supplements. A meta-analysis by Ferracioli-Oda et al. (2013, PLoS ONE) of 19 RCTs (n=1,683) showed melatonin reduced sleep onset latency by 7.06 minutes and increased total sleep time by 8.25 minutes. Critically, the dose-response relationship is non-linear: Zhdanova et al. (2001, Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics) found that 0.3mg was equally effective as 3mg for improving sleep, with fewer side effects. Higher doses (3-10mg) can cause next-day grogginess, vivid dreams, and may desensitize melatonin receptors over time. The Natrol 1mg dose is within the optimal 0.3-1mg physiological range.

Ingredient Breakdown

Ingredient	Dose	Effective Dose	Adequacy	Verdict
Melatonin	1mg	0.3-1mg		Optimal

True Cost Analysis

Properly Dosed -- What You Pay Is What You Get

Listed Price

$0.10/serving

$3.00/month at 1 serving/day

True Cost Per Effective Dose

$0.10/effective dose

$3.00/month for effective dosing

Value Score

Excellent value

Where It Falls Short

A simple tablet formulation — no sustained-release technology, which may limit benefit for sleep maintenance (vs. sleep onset). Contains artificial colors and flavors in the tablet coating. The evidence, while positive, shows modest absolute effects (~7 minutes faster sleep onset). Melatonin is a hormone, and long-term effects of exogenous supplementation are not fully understood. Individual tablets may vary in actual melatonin content — an industry-wide problem documented by Erland & Saxena (2017).