SHEET /m/melatonin · PubChem CID 896 · CAS 73-31-4 · REV 2026.07
Melatonin
from sourceC13H16N2O2 · 232.28 g/mol
MLT · Melovine · Regulin · Melatol
What is Melatonin?
The body's own nightfall signal, released as it gets dark to say the day is winding down. Melatonin (C13H16N2O2, 232 g/mol) is an amine that occurs naturally in the human body. from source
Fig. 1 · 2D structure RDKit
CC(=O)NCCC1=CNC2=C1C=C(C=C2)OCWhere you'll find it
Your own body makes this one. It is not an ingredient you buy. See the rest of the body group.
Still in the system computed
For a typical adult, Melatonin clears on a half-life of about 0.75 h: every 0.75 hours, half of what is left is gone. Try an amount:
An illustration of half-life, not a prediction of anyone's level.
Relative acute toxicity from source
Animal study data · LD50
- Reported LD50
- 3,200 mg/kg · very low toxicity
- Species
- rat
- Route
- oral
An LD50 describes acute toxicity under experimental conditions and is not a safe or dangerous dose for a person.
Signature properties
Toxicity & hazards
Toxicity · LD50
3,200 mg/kg · very low toxicity · LD50 rat oral from source
Keep roaming
Where Melatonin leads
Compare with
Melatonin is the hormone the brain releases as darkness falls to cue sleep. As a supplement it clears fast, with a half-life under an hour, so it nudges you toward sleep rather than holding you under like a sedative.