Melatonin is not a drug or a sleeping pill and isnot addictivefor kids or adults.
It will also review how to take melatonin and the suggested dosages.
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Melatonin as a Sleeping Aid: What Does It Do?
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Using melatonin supplements as a sleep aid may help you fall asleep andstay asleep.
Research has shown that melatonin can help with specific sleep-related conditions.
The data does not support using melatonin as a treatment for insomnia.
Some studies have shown that melatonin supplements may help prevent or treat jet lag.
Discuss your case with a sleep specialist toprevent or treat jet lagwith melatonin.
Everything You Should Know About Melatonin Health Benefits
What Are Circadian Rhythms?
They change in response to light and dark and to things like when you eat.
A circadian rhythm is also called a biological clock.
This makes it hard to wake up at a regular time.
Studies have suggested that melatonin supplements may help children with these disorders fall asleep quicker and stay asleep longer.
Studies have shown a melatonin supplement may be as effective as an antianxiety medication for this indication.
Talk to your healthcare provider to prevent or treat surgical anxiety with melatonin.
In these people, taking melatonin at bedtime can help improve sleep.
To treat non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder with melatonin, take 0.5 mg of melatonin 40 minutes before bedtime.
These cycles determine when we feel sleepy and when were awake.
Melatonin is controlled mainly by exposure to light.
The main factor disrupting the melatonin cycle is a lack of exposure to natural light early in the morning.
People also make less melatonin as they age.
Illness, diet, and medications could also reduce melatonin production.
Thats about how long the hormone takes from your stomach into your blood.
Lower doses often work as well as higher doses, if not better.
In most cases, 10 mg of melatonin is too much melatonin.
This high dose will often lead to blood levels much higher than are natural.
This may increase your risk of side effects, especially daytime sleepiness.
More Is Not Better
If melatonin does not help you sleep, you may take too much.
More is not better when it comes to melatonin.
Often, a tiny dose is enough to increase your blood levels of this hormone to normal levels.
Its OK to take melatonin daily for up to six months for adults and three months for children.
Are Certain Forms of Melatonin Better?
Melatonin supplements come in all kinds of formulations.
Theyre gummies, pills, dissolving tablets placed under the tongue, creams, gargles, and gels.
Melatonin can also be found in sleepy-tea formulas.
It comes in slow-release and fast-release options.
Talk with a healthcare provider to determine the best product and dose for your needs.
Therefore, some melatonin supplements may not contain whats listed on the label.
Often, the drug amounts are much more significant than the manufacturer claims.
A 2017 study tested 31 melatonin supplements from grocery stores and pharmacies.
When to Avoid Melatonin
Melatonin is generally considered safe for most people to take for short periods.
But there are still unanswered questions about possible side effects, especially in younger people and long-term users.
Is Melatonin Safe?
Yes, melatonin is safefor most people for short-term use.
Melatonin Drug Interactions
Talk to a healthcare provider about potential drug interactions before taking melatonin.
Melatonin Side Effects
Theres a possibility that you could have an allergic reaction to melatonin supplements.
This can lead to daytime drowsiness.
Melatonin and Medical Conditions
Melatonin supplements may interfere with certain medical conditions.
Generally, taking melatonin supplements while pregnant is discouraged.
Before giving melatonin to your child, ask the child’s healthcare provider if it’s safe.
Generally, melatonin supplements at normal doses seem OK for most children in the short term.
The research lacks information about the safety and effectiveness of melatonin in children, especially in the long term.
Ensure the gummies aren’t within arms reach.
They may accidentally or intentionally overdose on the drug.
If youre still having trouble sleeping, you may wonder what to do if melatonin doesnt work.
First, talk to a healthcare provider about your sleep issues to ensure nothing else is causing them.
Then consider how your lifestyle may be impacting your sleep.
Ensure the bed is comfortable and avoid stimulants like caffeine in the hours before bed.
Try blue-light-blocking glasses to increase natural melatonin production.
Get near a window or buy a medical-grade light therapy lamp.
Alternatives to melatonin include over-the-counter sleep aids like the antihistamine Benadryl (diphenhydramine) or Unisom (doxylamine).
A key in of drug called melatonin receptor agonist induces sleepiness through the melatonin receptor.
You might consider CBD to help you sleep.
This nonpsychoactive cannabis product has soothing, relaxing properties.
While emerging and evolving, the research suggests that CBD may help with sleep.
If youre dealing with insomnia, talk therapy is the best course of action.
Summary
Melatonin is a hormone that your body makes naturally, which makes you sleepy.
Some people use melatonin supplements to improve their sleep.
Melatonin supplements are available as tablets, caplets, tea, or gummies.
Melatonin is not a drug or addictive.
Light exposure can disrupt your melatonin cycle, causing trouble sleeping.
It helps to get outside in bright light early in the morning.
But too much light from screens in the evening is bad for sleep.
Generally, exercise caution when giving melatonin to children.
Talk to your pediatrician if your child is having trouble sleeping.
Possible side effects of melatonin supplements include headache, dizziness, nausea, sleepiness, and feeling hungover.
Allergic reactions are also possible.
Pregnant people should generally avoid melatonin supplements.
There isn’t enough research on the long-term effects of melatonin supplements in kids and teens.
Talk to a healthcare provider before taking melatonin if you have certain medical conditions or are taking specific medicines.
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