The Physiology of Rest
During sleep, your body isn't idle; it’s in repair mode. Cellular regeneration, hormone regulation, detoxification, and memory consolidation all happen overnight. Even your immune system resets itself while you rest.
Poor sleep has been linked to:
- Higher inflammation
- Slower cognitive function
- Increased risk of chronic illness
- Accelerated biological ageing.
Sleep is one of the most reliable indicators of how well your body is coping, and how well it can perform.
Understanding Melatonin: Signal, Not Solution
Melatonin is a naturally produced hormone that signals it’s time to sleep. It rises with darkness and falls with morning light.
But many turn to synthetic melatonin for quick relief. The problem? Most supplements contain far more than your body naturally produces—up to 10 mg versus the physiological 0.3 mg. This can desensitize your melatonin receptors, lead to hormonal imbalance, and cause lingering grogginess.
Even more concerning, long-term use may reduce your body’s ability to produce melatonin independently. It’s the difference between nudging your system and overriding it.
Meet: Motmorency Cherry
Rather than forcing sleep with synthetic doses, natural compounds like Montmorency cherry work with your physiology.
Montmorency cherry contains naturally occurring melatonin, but in biologically appropriate amounts. Small clinical studies have shown it may:
- Improve sleep efficiency
- Increase total sleep time
- Reduce nocturnal waking.
Unlike synthetic melatonin, it supports, not suppresses, your body’s melatonin cycle. And because it's also rich in antioxidants and polyphenols, it contributes to overall cellular health and recovery while you rest.
Sleep is the Foundation
Sleep isn't just one piece of the wellness puzzle; it is the foundation. It influences everything from cognition and immunity to metabolism, stress response, and biological aging. And yet, nearly 1 in 3 adults don’t get enough.
In a culture obsessed with doing more, sleep is often the first thing we compromise. But when we restore it, everything improves; better focus, energy and recovery.
Further Reading:
CDC, Sleep and Health, 2022.
Xie L et al. (2013). Science. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1241224
Irwin MR et al. (2016). Nat Rev Immunol. https://www.nature.com/articles/nri.2016.136
Patel SR et al. (2018). Sleep Health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6281147/
Zhdanova IV et al. (1995). J Clin Endocrinol Metab.
Cohen PA et al. (2023). J Clin Sleep Med.
Howatson G et al. (2012). Eur J Nutr. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00394-012-0431-2