Melatonin needs vary from person to person. Since melatonin can have many effects on the body, like all drugs, it should be taken at the lowest dose possible, warns Dr. With that being said, start with a low amount. If you still have problems sleeping, gradually step up your dose until you find an amount that improves sleep without causing side effects.
Less is more with melatonin to avoid sleep inertia. Some people complain of a hungover or groggy feeling in the mornings due to remnants of the sleep aid remaining in their bloodstream. Melatonin is also safe for children. Infants may only need 1 mg; older children between 2. Again, start your child at a lower dose, and then gradually increase the amount of melatonin as needed.
Talk to your doctor for advice on appropriate dosages. As a general rule of thumb, consult your doctor before taking any new herbs or supplements. Melatonin can reduce the effectiveness of some prescription drugs, triggering possibly serious complications. Melatonin can increase the risk of bleeding. Melatonin may also increase blood pressure in people who take medication to control their hypertension. Autoimmune diseases are the result of an overactive immune system, and inflammation is a classic symptom on these diseases.
Melatonin can stimulate immune system activity, increasing inflammation and exacerbating an existing disease.
These symptoms may improve once you stop taking the supplement or reduce the amount you take each night. In the case of a severe overdose or side effect — like an abnormally low blood pressure — see a doctor right away.
You should also get medical help if you feel that the supplement interacts with your prescription medication. For example, you might take your diabetes medication as scheduled to control your blood sugar, yet your blood sugar still remains elevated. Medical treatment will focus on stabilizing your health. Melatonin is relatively safe, but there are some dangers associated with taking too much.
A melatonin overdose can typically be waited out, or one may find relief from calling their doctor to seek medical advice. The good news is that the effects of melatonin are short-term, and there should be no long-term side effects that result from taking too much. But still, we are not doctors and the only medical advice we can offer is to content licensed healthcare professionals when you are concerned about your health, well-being, and safety. The main drugs that melatonin interacts negatively with are sedatives CNS depressants , blood thinners anticoagulants, birth control pills contraceptives , steroids, diabetes medications, and immunosuppressants.
Blood-thinning medications anticoagulants can be dangerous when paired with melatonin as it has a chance of increasing the risk of bleeding. Melatonin can also make blood pressure and diabetes medications less effective. Melatonin may also make steroids and immunosuppressant drugs less effective, and so it is not recommended that melatonin be taken when on these medications.
Other medications, such as those that prevent seizures anticonvulsants may also become less effective when taking melatonin. If a person with epilepsy who is on medication to treat it decides to take melatonin, it could actually increase the risk of having a seizure. Melatonin is relatively safe for children so long as the dose is appropriate. However, the risks of a melatonin overdose are more severe for children, so should a child experience some of the more intense side effects of too much melatonin, medical attention should be sought immediately.
A trip to the pediatrician is a good idea when your child is having any sort of trouble sleeping in order to rule out any medical conditions, such as an ear infection. Some studies have suggested that using melatonin during childhood may delay the onset of puberty. These studies have only been conducted on animals thus far, and there is yet to be substantial proof showing this is the case for children.
However, you can never be too safe. As previously stated, melatonin can be found naturally in a variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts , and grains. Such natural sources of melatonin include:. Sourcing your melatonin naturally through the foods you eat may be a safer alternative to unregulated supplements.
Because melatonin supplements are not regulated by the FDA and there are no strict guidelines on dosage, taking melatonin can be dangerous. Melatonin can also have adverse interactions with a wide range of medications. If you have taken too much melatonin, you may notice signs such as excessive daytime grogginess, headaches, dizziness, or mood problems.
Generally speaking, the ideal dose is the lowest dose possible that provides the desired effects. Most experts recommended starting at the lowest dose and slowly increasing until you get the desired effect. The authors of the study concluded that this high dose should always be supervised by a physician. This is a higher amount of the hormone and should only be used for specific purposes under the supervision of a doctor.
For example, some research has looked at the use of 20mg of melatonin combined with cancer treatments like radiation and chemotherapy. This dose should only be prescribed by and taken under the supervision of a doctor.
The 30 mg melatonin dosage is substantial. Some studies have used doses of mg to prevent and treat clot-forming cells thrombocytopenia associated with cancer chemotherapy. Keep this in consideration. Every single medicine has its own LD The plasma half-life is quite short and ranges between 20 and 50 minutes. This means that approximately only half of the dose remains in your system after this amount of time. Melatonin is the hormone released by our brains once we fall asleep and it is actively used to handle a range of different conditions.
Apart from the regular sleep-related ones, melatonin is also known for being particularly useful in various cancer treatments as an additional ingredient to use through chemotherapy, for instance.
Melatonin is not considered to be habit-forming or cause dependencies. It is generally safe for short-term use. Melatonin has been studied for children with certain conditions, such as autism. There are limited studies about its effectiveness and safety in other children.
While melatonin is considered to be very safe and has a low toxicity profile, it could cause unpleasant side effects and be dangerous for people with certain conditions or taking certain medications. According to the Mayo Clinic , taking melatonin should be safe for most people, though in some circumstances it can interact with other medications such as blood thinners, blood pressure medications, anticonvulsants, oral contraceptives and others.
Melatonin is a natural hormone that is made in the body. It has many benefits and a high safety profile with few side effects. That being said, it is possible to take too much melatonin and experience unpleasant symptoms like headaches, drowsiness, an upset stomach, and others.
The best way to avoid these is to start with the lowest possible dose and slowly increase until you see the desired effect. As always, before taking any supplement, speak with your doctor. Our team covers as many areas of expertise as we do time zones, but none of us started here as a so-called expert on sleep. What we do share is a willingness to ask questions lots of them , seek experts, and dig deep into conventional wisdom to see if maybe there might be a better path towards healthy living.
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