We know you're sick and tired of counting sheep.

There are few pleasures in life greater than a deep, restful sleep. Seriously, if we could go back in time and tell our 7-year-old selves not to complain about nap time, we would. But there are lots of things that can throw you off your nighttime game.

If you have regular trouble catching Zzz’s, you’ve probably looked into taking melatonin supplements. After all, there are countless bottles stocking drugstore shelves. How much do you really know about them, though?

What Is Melatonin?

For starters, melatonin is a hormone released by the brain that helps regulate the body’s circadian rhythm (a.k.a. your internal clock), explains David Lee, M.D., assistant clinical professor of medicine at the UCSF Fresno Medical Education Program. "It's secreted by the pineal gland, which is at the base of the brain and regulated by light," he says. "It’s a natural hormone that makes us sleep, and the moment the light goes away, like in the evening, that’s when our peak melatonin [is produced]."

The bottom line: Unfortunately, there’s not enough solid research out there to back up whether melatonin supplements are truly an effective and safe way to get your sleep on. If you're still struggling to reach dreamland, Kothare does have several other suggestions: Try to maintain a similar sleep schedule during the week and on weekends, limit the use of electronics that emit blue light for one to two hours before bed time, and purchase a bright light source for use in the mornings to help regulate your body's internal clock. Your dream journal will be filled in no time.