Melatonin Daily Usage Safety Facts

Melatonin is a body-generated hormone. This hormone is important for the natural sleep-wake cycle. Too much consumption of supplementary melatonin can affect the circadian rhythm and lead to side effects. As the standard dose of melatonin is not available for everyone, it is difficult to predict its over dosage.

How Does Melatonin Work?

In answer to darkness, melatonin hormone is released by the brain. It helps maintain a circadian rhythm and establish a sleep-wake cycle. Melatonin is developed as a solution to darkness and indicates that the body prepares to sleep. Light reduces production of melatonin and keeps you awake. Persons with sleeping conditions can have low melatonin levels. So melatonin supplements may be helpful for those people.

What For Melatonin Is Used?

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Melatonin is commonly used for insomnia and sleeping difficulties. It helps people who face a haphazard working schedule and aid people establish a day-night cycle. Melatonin supplements are helpful against jet lag, delayed sleep-wake process disorder, some children’s sleep disturbances and pre- and post-operation anxiety.

What Are The Forms Of Melatonin Available?

Melatonin supplements are made synthetically and are available in the form of pills. Other variants such as those that can be inserted in the cheek or under the language promoting improved absorption are also available.

What Is The Standard Dose In Adults?

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Since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not regulate melatonin supplements, there can be no official uniform guideline. A dose of 1-10mg is normally prescribed. Any doses greater than 30mg is considered to be harmful. The starting dose of melatonin is normally between 0.2 and 5mg. Bodyweight, sensitivity to the drug, and age determine the safety of melatonin supplements.

Melatonin supplements are available online

1. Healthkart Melatonin 10mg with Valerian for Deep Sleep

2. Setu Melatonin Tasty Mint Flavour

What Are The Symptoms Of Melatonin Overdose?

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Melatonin supplements seems to be safe to use for the short term. Short term use of melatonin supplements appears to be safe. Too much consumption of melatonin can disrupt the circadian rhythm and makes you feel hard to sleep. An overdose of melatonin makes you feel groggy and sleepy during the day and you may also experience vivid dreams and nightmares during the night. The following are the symptoms of melatonin overdose.

1. Nausea

2. Dizziness

3. Headaches

4. Irritability or anxiety

5. Diarrhea

6. Joint pain

Other less common side effects of melatonin include feelings of depression, anxiety, mild tremors, abdominal cramps, confusion, and reduced alertness. Melatonin can also affect blood pressure in some people. The body’s normal melatonin intake can be reduced by drugs used to reduce blood pressure, such as calcium channel blockers and beta blockers.

What Are Not Intended To Be Taken With Melatonin?

As melatonin can affect the sleep-wake cycle, it should not be taken with alcohol or caffeine. Always talk to your doctor before you start any over-the-counter medication. Birth control pills can make your body produce melatonin, so taking a supplement along with it can make the levels unhealthy. The risk of bleeding can increase with melatonin and anticoagulant medicines such as warfarin. Also, avoid melatonin if you are prescribed corticosteroids for arthritis or lupus.

Can Children Take Melatonin?

Children should not consume melatonin unless advised by a doctor. 1-5mg of melatonin can cause seizures and other complications in young children. Necessity, headache, dreaminess, anxiety and increased urination in the evening are identified as the side effects of melatonin in infants.