My husband just started taking melatonin and I cannot believe how effective it is. It scares me a little! He was going through a phase of insomnia where mind racing was not allowing him to sleep. Now he is going to sleep at a normal time and waking up bright eyed and bushy-tailed. Here, it is something you buy over the counter in the vitamin/herbal supplement aisle. I don't believe it is addictive like sleeping pills but I share those concerns and am not sure I could bring myself to try it.