Melatonin—Uses | Dosage | What Are The Side Effects Of Melatonin?
What is Melatonin? Melatonin is a hormone naturally produced by the pineal gland in the brain [1], and it helps regulate night and day cycles or sleep-wake cycles [2]. It is also available as a dietary supplement, commonly used as a sleep aid. Although Melatonin supplements are generally considered safe, with a low risk of side effects, there is a lack of long-term research on the safety and efficacy of melatonin supplementation, and that’s why its growing popularity has raised some concerns. Additionally, Melatonin has a wide range of effects as a hormone, which all users may not desire. Nevertheless, Melatonin remains an effective and safe option for many people who struggle with sleep. Still, it’s essential to talk to a doctor before taking them, especially if you have any medical conditions. Melatonin can be made in laboratories and can be purchased without a prescription. It is available in many forms like pills, gummies, and syrups. Melatonin is known as an over-the-counter dietary supplement in the US and is a prescription drug in the UK and Europe. Melatonin Uses Melatonin is a popular sleep aid that can help you deal with the following conditions; Recover from Jet lag—is a temporary sleep problem that can affect people who quickly travel across multiple time zones. Melatonin has been widely studied, and the latest research suggests that it is remarkably effective in preventing or reducing jet lag and helps induce sleep during times when you wouldn’t usually be resting. [3] Insomnia—is sleeplessness in which you have trouble falling and staying asleep. Supplementing with Melatonin can help with short-term insomnia. Melatonin also adjusts the sleep cycle and supports better sleep. Shift work sleep problems—According to a study, Melatonin may be a successful treatment for shift workers with difficulty falling asleep. [4] It may help reduce symptoms of seasonal depression, [5] Your doctor can also prescribe it for chronic pain, Dementia—Is the loss of cognitive functions, and research suggests that Melatonin can treat it. However, experts don’t recommend it for older adults because other prescriptions and approved drugs work better than this one. It also improves eye health, [6] Irritable bowel syndrome—Melatonin was identified as possibly helpful in IBS especially for pain associated with the IBS. [7] Provide relief from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD, [8] It may also increase the level of human growth hormone (HGH) in the body and can work as an antiaging agent. [9] It may also be used in cancer treatment and chemo and radiation therapy, but studies on cancer treatment and side effects are limited. [10] What are the side effects of Melatonin? Generally, It doesn’t cause any severe side effects. Still, as we know, it affects our hormone levels, so its most common side effect can be drowsiness, which some may notice in their morning hours after taking it late at night or reducing the dosage over time if needed. Here is a list of Melatonin side effects; Dizziness Day time sleepiness Nausea Headache, sleepiness, A cold feeling, Possible allergic reaction risk It may interact with other medications like blood thinners, antihypertensive drugs, antidiabetics, contraceptives, and antidepressant drugs. So it’s better to avoid concurrent use. Recent studies show that this ingredient is safe, non-toxic, and non-addictive. However, few reported minor adverse effects such as dizziness, headache, and nausea. If you experience any other side effects, you can contact your doctor as soon as possible. How Does Melatonin Work? The amino acid L-tryptophan is a crucial building block for melatonin production. This sleep-inducing hormone helps regulate our circadian rhythm and can be used as an effective treatment against insomnia or jet lag. When it’s dark, the levels of this hormone are high; It lowers your blood pressure and body temperature to induce a mood for sleep. This hormone binds to receptors in your body to reduce the level of dopamine, a neurotransmitter molecule that helps you stay awake [11]. Melatonin also binds to other receptors in your body to help you relax. Is Melatonin Safe In Children? Melatonin supplements are safe for most children to use, but there isn’t enough research on them, and it’s hard to find information about their long-term effects [12]. Since Melatonin is a hormone that could affect hormonal development, including puberty or menstrual cycles, among other things, we don’t know how this will impact your child until more studies have been completed. How much Melatonin should I take—Melatonin Dosage? Melatonin supplements typically range in dose from 0.5 mg to 10 mg per day. The usual recommended melatonin dosage is 1-5 mg, and it depends on the person’s age, weight, and medical history [13]. Melatonin is generally safe for most people when taken at the recommended dosage. However, side effects can occur when taking too much Melatonin or taking it at the wrong time of day. The FDA does not regulate Melatonin, so we don’t know how it will affect you. If your goal is to sleep better and feel less anxious or stressed during waking hours after taking melatonin supplements (or trying out this supplement), try going low-consuming doses for shorter periods until they find their sweet spot. Use the lowest dosage, to begin with, children. The dosage for children is often 0.5 to 1 mg taken 1–2 hours before bedtime, though some may need higher doses if they have trouble sleeping after an hour without medicine in their system; increase this by adding another half-mg every few days until the desired effect is achieved. You will need to take modified-release melatonin pills with food, while the immediate-release formulation should be taken on an empty stomach 2 hours before eating. The ideal time for taking Melatonin is 1-2 hours before bedtime. Can I take 10 mg of Melatonin? The optimum dosage for Melatonin in adults has not been determined. In most cases, doses up to 10mg are safely used. However, it is believed that the higher end of this range may be harmful, and people should start low and then move up slowly if they notice encouraging results. Can I take 20mg of
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