Is It OK to Take Melatonin Every Night?

Is it ok to take melatonin every night?

The word melatonin has been embedded in our minds ever since we heard Miranda sleeping on a patch of it on her flight to Abu Dhabi. But can you do the same?

If you did not already know, your body produces melatonin naturally. And it plays a major role in regulating your body’s sleep cycle.

For people not having enough melatonin content in their bodies, companies introduced lab-made supplements to help them sleep better at night. People having insomnia or jet lag often prefer taking these supplements to get a good night’s sleep.

That justifies why Samantha was so excited about her patch of Melatonin on the flight.

But can you take melatonin every night? Is it safe for you, too? Well, this is what I am here for. In this article, we shall explore all the nooks and crooks of melatonin and see why it is at all safe for regular consumption.

Is It OK To Take Melatonin Every Night?

It is generally okay for grown-ups to take melatonin every night for some good sleep. But that should not be regular practice. There are multiple factors affecting whether an individual should consume melatonin every night, like age, sleep problems, and several other health factors. For instance, people experiencing jet lag can take melatonin every night for five days straight.

However, melatonin may have some negative impacts on individuals who take any medicines or other health conditions. So, if you plan to take it every night, you better have a discussion with your doctor first. They may help you decide if your body is in the right condition to take melatonin every night and what dosage is preferable.

How Does Melatonin Work?

Natural melatonin forms in your pineal gland located in the brain. Exposure to light inhibits melatonin production. But it is the darkness that stimulates it.

Melatonin levels in the brain start to increase as the sun sets. In the middle of the night, melatonin is at its peak. This level starts falling just when morning starts creeping in.

Melatonin’s actions prevent any signal in your brain. Thus, promoting wakefulness. This encourages sleep by making you feel drowsy and tired as you get closer and closer to bedtime.

Because of how easily it can induce sleep, melatonin supplements are great for treating many sleep problems. Some of these may include:

• Jet lag
• Insomnia
• Delayed sleep-wake phase disorder
• Shift work sleep disorder
• Sleep issues in children having autism or ADHD

Side Effects of Melatonin

To date, we do not really have any established side effects from melatonin. But there are some generalized consequences that people have claimed to experience.

So, if you have just started to take melatonin or are planning to do so, here are some common symptoms you need to look out for:

• Nightmares
• Vivid dreams
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Daytime sleepiness

There are experts who also suggest that it’s normal to have stomach cramps with feelings of irritation and depression when you take melatonin. But these are very short-lived, so it’s nothing you should be too worried about.

Lastly, the FDA doesn’t regulate supplements like over-the-counter medications. So, it’s better to do some ground research before taking melatonin supplements. Make sure it’s gone through thorough testing and has a certification from any independent third party like NSF.

What Is a Safe Dosage for Melatonin?

The FDA doesn’t regulate melatonin supplements as drugs. Hence, there is very limited information on the safe and optimal use of melatonin.

In fact, the melatonin supplement doses used in multiple scientific studies vary vastly from 0.1 to 10 milligrams.

It takes one to two hours for melatonin to work. So, it is better that you take it at least two hours before you are expected to sleep.

If you are planning to try melatonin for the very first time, it is better to start with a lower dose. It is better if you speak with your doctor to get suggestions on the dose that is most suitable for your body.

Melatonin Supplements and Safety Concerns

People suffering from certain conditions must consult with a healthcare professional before taking any dosage of melatonin supplements.

They are related to certain safety concerns, and you need to be aware of the same before taking melatonin every night.

Reproductive Health

People trying to have a baby should think about taking supplements. Melatonin, especially, has some effects on the fertility of both men and women.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

We still don’t have enough evidence about the use of melatonin during pregnancy or during breastfeeding. Therefore, it’s better to avoid it overall to avoid any harm to the baby.

Epilepsy

There is a slight chance that melatonin may increase your seizures. So, that is not something that you must take if you have epilepsy.

Autoimmune Disorders

Melatonin increases any symptoms associated with autoimmune disorders. So, people suffering from it must avoid taking melatonin under all circumstances.

Note: Melatonin is known to interfere with how certain medications work, like:

• Epilepsy medications
• Blood thinners
• Diabetes medicines
• Birth controls
• Medicines for blood pressure

How To Sleep Without Melatonin?

Sleeping is the biggest challenge for people. It’s because of high stress levels and anxiety due to work or other personal reasons. But rather than taking melatonin or any other sleep supplement, it’s better to try other sleeping techniques.

If you struggle to sleep every night, too, here are some tricks you can try out to get a good night’s sleep.

Adjusting Your Sleep Environment

Sometimes, sleeping becomes a major problem because of the environment we sleep in. If it does not adjust right with our body, sleeping becomes a big problem. So, you can shift to a different environment that is more comfortable for you to sleep in.

Developing A Routine

A lack of a proper sleeping routine may sometimes end up causing sleep disruptions. If you do not have a consistent sleeping time, try having one to improve your sleep cycle.

Managing Stress

Stress is a major reason why people cannot sleep at night. If you feel like you are going through the same, try out ways to manage your stress to get a night of good sleep.

Regular Exercising

Exercising promotes very good sleep at night. If you can, make a habit of exercising every day, even if it is for a short time period.

Conclusion

Concerns on “Is it ok to take melatonin every night?” has been a constant topic of discussion among sleep-deprived people.

Melatonin supplements work effortlessly to promote sleep. But we don’t have proper research on how accurate the dose of melatonin is. It’s always preferable to have it after consulting with a doctor.

It is, however, safe when it comes to short-term use, but in the long term, it’s questionable. If you start taking melatonin and see that it isn’t working at all, stop it and look for other effective ways to fall asleep at night.

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