Can Melatonin Supplements Be Useful
While a melatonin dietary supplement is no substitute for maintaining good sleep hygiene habits to support the bodyâs natural melatonin production, in certain situations, getting a little exogenous melatonin from a bottle can be useful.
Melatonin can be useful when:
- Overcoming jetlag
- Adjusting to shift work
- Shifting your sleep schedule
Research shows melatonin supplements ranging from 0.5 mg to 5 mg can help you overcome jetlag quicker. And it works for both westbound and eastbound flights, so when you want to move your body clock forwards or backwards. There is anecdotal evidence that suggests melatonin supplements may help shift workers sleep during the day when working night shifts. But a report published by the National Institutes of Health found that the evidence was based on small studies whose results were inconclusive. Light therapy has proven to be a more reliable way to improve sleep outcomes for shift workers facing high circadian disruption. Melatonin supplements may be more helpful in correcting moderate circadian misalignment. For example, if youâre a night owl looking to shift your sleep-wake cycle to that of a morning person, a supplement can help reset your sleep schedule. Evidence suggests that taking 5 mg of melatonin five hours before your DLMO can move evening melatonin production up by 1.5 hours and make it easier to fall asleep earlier.
How Effective Is Melatonin
In one analysis published in 2013 in PLOS One, which combined results from 19 studies involving 1,683 men and women, people who took melatonin supplements fell asleep seven minutes faster and increased overall sleep time by eight minutes. That may not sound like much, but there was a lot of individual variation, and researchers found that melatonin also improved overall sleep quality, including peoples ability to wake up feeling refreshed.
But theres no guarantee that melatonin will work for you.
Dr. Sabra Abbott, an assistant professor of neurology in sleep medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, said the most common complaint she hears from patients is I tried melatonin and it didnt work. Many also feel hung over or groggy the next morning.
Dr. Martin said that in many studies, melatonin does not work any better than a placebo but added, One caveat I always like to mention, though, is that placebos work pretty well for insomnia.
Does Melatonin Help With Cancer Symptoms
Studies of the effect of melatonin supplements on cancer symptoms or treatment-related side effects have been small and have had mixed results.
Keep in mind that unproven products should not be used to replace or delay conventional medical treatment for cancer. Also, some products can interfere with standard cancer treatments or have special risks for people whoâve been diagnosed with cancer. Before using any complementary health approach, including melatonin, people whoâve been diagnosed with cancer should talk with their health care providers to make sure that all aspects of their care work together.
Recommended Reading: Natural Estrogen Cream For Menopause
Does Melatonin Affect Our Dreams
Far and away, the most common side effect that I have patients report to me is that their dreams just become much more vivid, Dr. Abbott said. Scientists arent sure why that happens.
Dr. Kolla has also seen patients who have nightmares or disruptive dreams, which are also common with sleeping pills. In that case, you want to try to lower the dose, he said. Or, if its too problematic, stop.
How Fast Does Supplemental Melatonin Work
The brain ordinarily makes more melatonin about one to two hours before bedtime and most people start to feel sleepy Trusted SourceNational Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov about two hours after melatonin levels rise. Similarly, most people will feel the effects of supplemental melatonin about two hours after taking it. Most research has studied melatonin given one to two hours before bedtime.
Supplemental melatonin comes in many different forms. The way that a supplement or medicine is made affects how quickly it works Trusted SourceMerck ManualFirst published in 1899 as a small reference book for physicians and pharmacists, the Manual grew in size and scope to become one of the most widely used comprehensive medical resources for professionals and consumers.merckmanuals.com . Therefore, different types of melatonin supplements may work more quickly or slowly. People considering taking melatonin supplements should talk to their doctors about what form of melatonin may work best for them.
Also Check: Can I Take Melatonin Every Night
How Do Doctors Use Melatonin
Sleep doctors may use melatonin to help patients with circadian rhythm disorders regulate their sleep-wake cycles. For example, during the pandemic, Dr. Avidan said, weve seen those people who become super night owls unable to fall asleep until 2 or 3 a.m.
Experts also suggest people use a bright light in the mornings to help them wake up, which has alerting properties and can suppress any remaining melatonin production, said Dr. Abbott.
How Much Melatonin Should You Take
The United States Food and Drug Administration classifies melatonin as a dietary supplement, similar to vitamins and minerals. This classification means that melatonin is not regulated in the same way prescription or over-the-counter medications are. Therefore, there are no safe dosage guidelines for melatonin, making it difficult to determine the right amount to take.
Additionally, melatonin affects each person differently. A low dose of melatonin may cause extreme sleepiness in one person and have no effect on another. There is also conflicting evidence on whether or not this supplement is safe for pregnant women or young children.
Melatonin supplements are available in a wide range of doses. Doses can be as low as 0.3 milligrams to as high as 10 milligrams. Additionally, melatonin supplements are available in a variety of formulations. Examples include oral capsules or tablets, sublingual liquid or sprays, topical creams or drops, and intravenous preparations. Moreover, melatonin is available in different release forms such as immediate, extended, and timed release. The duration and elimination of melatonin depends on all of these factors as well as individual demographics and metabolism, says Dr. David Gao of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Due to these risks, we suggest avoiding melatonin use altogether and, instead, try to increase your melatonin levels naturally through diet, exercise, and light exposure.
Don’t Miss: Best Natural Sleep Aid Without Melatonin
How Long Does Melatonin Take To Start Working
Melatonin starts to work about an hour after you take the dose. However, it can take a few days of taking melatonin for its full effect to develop.
Melatonin will start helping your body to re-establish a normal sleep pattern after you have taken it for a week or so.
The effects of a dose of melatonin can last for around four to eight hours after taking it.
When Should You Take Melatonin Supplements
If youre mulling a melatonin supplement, another important thing to know is when to take it.
In his labs research, Hille says hes noticed that melatonin production doesnt actually ramp up until a few hours after the sun goes down. For example, if sunset is at 6 p.m., your bodys melatonin levels wont jump up until around 9 p.m.
We see that melatonin is low, low, low after dark and then it goes up a few hours later and stays high until the moment when the lights turn on again, Hille explains. If you wanted to use melatonin, this tells us how you should mimic the biological way.
In essence, timing is everything.
If you plan on using melatonin to help you sleep, its best to take it two or three hours before your bedtime. On the flip side, if you find yourself unable to sleep in the middle of the night, keep in mind that popping a melatonin at midnight wont necessarily have immediate results.
Also Check: Over The Counter Estrogen Pills
Are Melatonin Supplements Safe
While short-term use seems to be safe, thereâs limited research into the side effects of long-term use, so itâs generally recommended you donât take melatonin every night.
Although melatonin supplements are often considered less habit forming than other common sleep aids, theyâre not for everyone. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, transplant recipients, and people with certain conditions â diabetes, high blood pressure, seizure disorders, bleeding disorders, or depression â should consult a physician or health care professional before using melatonin supplements.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recently launched an investigation into the safety of melatonin. For now, itâs recommending children and those with insomnia avoid the supplement.
Likewise, individuals on certain medications should avoid melatonin supplements, as they may reduce the medicationâs efficacy or cause potentially harmful interactions. Prescription and over-the-counter medications that should not be taken in combination with melatonin include blood pressure and diabetes medications, certain contraceptives, immunosuppressants, anticoagulants , anticonvulsants , and some depression medications.
Melatonin affects us all differently, so starting with the lowest dose is the best way to reduce your chances of developing unwanted side effects, but even that can be challenging and confusing.
We covered more about how much melatonin is too much here.
Can It Take A Few Days For Melatonin To Start Helping Me Sleep
Question posted by mamaang32 on 24 May 2012
My sleep neurologist has asked me to try taking 10 mgs of Melatonin for a month – to give the increased dose a good try. It’s important to go outside, in the sunshine, soon after awakening to burn off any remaining melatonin off your brain. I take the Melatonin with Klonopin, amitriptyline, and a combo of herbs such as valerian root, passion flower, lettuce leaf extract, etc. I did use Trazodone, along with Klonopin for many years, and found it to work well. Sleep problems are very individualized – what works great for one person may do nothing for another. What does hold true for pretty much everyone is that the more you can standardize your schedule, and get out in the sunshine in the morning, eat at the same times, and wake and sleep at the same times every day – the better your sleep will be. Oh, and I left out exercise – that’s important too. Your body needs to be able to count on YOu – for sleep, nutrition, a proper schedule – it’s important to establish a routine, and then to stick to it!! ElizaJane
+2katstewDelila+1balbanese
Yes and no. Some folks get the help after only a few hours, with others it can take a few days. Hope this helps.
+1+1SoMuchPain+2+2
You May Like: High Estrogen Birth Control Pills Names
What To Know About Dietary Supplements And Safety
The FDA classifies melatonin as a dietary supplement, meaning that its regulated less strictly than a regular drug. For dietary supplements, label claims and product safety dont have to meet FDA approval before theyre marketed.
A 2017 study of 31 different melatonin supplements found that the actual melatonin content of 71 percent of the products didnt match the claim on the label. Additionally, 26 percent of products contained serotonin, which can be potentially harmful even in small doses.
When shopping for melatonin supplements, look for products that are USP verified. United States Pharmacopeia is an independent organization that works to ensure proper quality and dosing of dietary supplements.
- confusion or disorientation
- low blood pressure
If you experience side effects from melatonin, stop taking it and speak with your doctor. They may recommend using a lower dose or trying out an alternative medication or sleep aid.
What Are The Risks Of Taking Melatonin
Generally speaking, less is more when it comes to taking melatonin supplements, but there are certain considerations to discuss with a medical professional before you embark on a course.
If you’re pregnant, plan on getting pregnant or are breastfeeding, you shouldnt take melatonin. Similarly, those taking antidepressants should refrain as it can make the symptoms of depression worse. “People with bleeding disorders, people whove had an organ transplant and patients with diabetes should also think twice as melatonin can have negative side effects,” Breus added. “And I would never recommend it for anyone under 18.”
Melatonin supplements have also been known to raise blood pressure, including in those already taking medications to control it. Side effects of melatonin may also include headaches, nausea and dizziness. If you are taking melatonin supplements, you should not drive vehicles or operate machinery after taking it.
If melatonin does make a difference to your sleep and you dont suffer any adverse reactions, it will be safe to take each night for anything up to two months. Do remember, however, to cease taking it if it isnt working for you you should know within two weeks if that’s the case.
Originally published on Live Science.
Recommended Reading: How To Stop Cortisol Weight Gain
What Are Melatonin Supplements
Oral forms of synthetic melatonin include melatonin gummies, pills, liquids, chewables, and capsules. You can purchase the hormone in other forms, too, including melatonin sprays, powder, patches, and creams, all of which are available in grocery stores, pharmacies, and health food stores. Melatonin supplements are marketed to help with sleep and jet lag.
As pointed out by the JAMA study, many melatonin users regularly take doses higher than the maximum recommended 5 milligrams per night. This is particularly concerning in regard to children. A report published in June 2022 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention examined data between the years 2012 and 2021 and found that poison control had fielded 260,435 calls about kids who had taken too much melatonin. Of those, two children under the age of 2 died, five were put on a ventilator, nearly 300 ended up in intensive care, and more than 4,000 were hospitalized.
Part of the problem may be that there is no general consensus regarding melatonin dosage, according to the aforementioned book. Recommended dosages vary by brand, and can range from 0.3 to 10 mg, per the The Sleep Doctor. Low doses may be used for circadian rhythm synchronization, while sleep disorders may require doses ranging from 0.6 to 5 mg.
Its important to speak to a qualified healthcare provider about the correct dosage for yourself, or for a child who has sleep issues because of a developmental or neurological problem.
How To Take Melatonin
Melatonin is usually taken one to two hours before bedtime. Travelers taking melatonin to prevent jet lag can time their dosage on their day of arrival based on the desired bedtime at their destination. To reduce the symptoms of jet lag, melatonin can continue to be taken for up to five days after arrival.
Sleep experts have not agreed upon a standard dosage of melatonin Trusted SourceMerck ManualFirst published in 1899 as a small reference book for physicians and pharmacists, the Manual grew in size and scope to become one of the most widely used comprehensive medical resources for professionals and consumers.merckmanuals.com . The adult dosage of melatonin is usually between 1 to 5 milligrams. For children, experts recommend lower doses of melatonin than for adults. Parents and guardians should speak with their childâs doctor before giving melatonin to children, and should follow their doctorâs advice on the dosage.
Some medications, herbs, and beverages can increase natural melatonin levels and may magnify the supplementâs effect. People who take melatonin along with any of the following should talk to their doctors about the appropriate dosage:
- Antidepressants
- Vitex agnus-castus
Recommended Reading: Estrogen Receptor Positive Breast Cancer
When To Take Melatonin
Its recommended take melatonin 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. Thats because melatonin typically starts working after 30 minutes, when levels in your blood rise.
However, the best time to take melatonin is different for each person. Everyone absorbs medication at different rates. To start, take melatonin 30 minutes before bed. You can adjust the timing depending on how long it takes for you to fall asleep.
Whats most important is that you avoid taking melatonin at or after your ideal bedtime. This can shift your body clock in the wrong direction, resulting in daytime sleepiness.
Which Type Of Melatonin Supplement Should I Take
Time isn’t the only factor to help determine how melatonin supplements will affect your sleep. Both the dosage and type of supplement you take can lead to vastly different experiences, Ju says.
Consider, too, that nutritional supplements like melatonin aren’t subject to the same regulations as medications, she says. With this in mind, researchers conducted a study in 2017, comparing different brands of melatonin supplements including tablets, gummies, liquids and more.
“They found that the dosage that’s present inside the actual melatonin pills doesn’t always match what’s on the label,” Ju says. And some supplements even included serotonin which may interfere with a person’s sleep, according to the study.
“When I counsel my patients, I recommend to them that they get at least a three-milligram-sized tablet,” Ju says. “And if they’re trying it for the first time to actually cut it in half and try 1.5 milligrams.”
Melatonin, when dosed correctly, will not make you feel groggy or lead to deep sleep that makes it difficult for you to wake up, she says. In general, a dose between one to six milligrams is typically used for adults, and anything above that doesn’t usuallyprovide additional benefits.
Read Also: Hormonal Imbalance Hair Loss Female
Does Melatonin Work As A Sleep Aid Right Away
Does Melatonin work as a natural sleep aid and how long does it take before effects become noticeable? that is also known by the chemical name N-acetyl-5-methoxy tryptamine.
In humans, the pineal gland in the brain releases this chemical in response to light and dark cycles. Today, most melatonin supplements . However, some melatonin supplement providers extract the compound from the pineal glands of animals.
Research studies show that melatonin is effective for improving symptoms of sleep disorders, insomnia, . This supplement also promotes a number of general health benefits including anti-aging effects, improve mood regulation and better skin health.
How does melatonin work for sleep disturbances and what is the right way to use this supplement? This article will discuss the mechanisms of action for melatonin supplements, as well as the reported benefits and side effects.
An estimated 50 to 70 millions American adults have a sleep or wakefulness disorder, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Millions more struggle with insufficient sleep that does not reach the threshold for a sleep disorder.
In a novel survey of U.S. sleep health, the National Sleep Foundation found that an estimated 45 percent of Americans complained of poor sleep within the past week that negatively affected their everyday lives.
Many people are wary of taking prescription sleep aids, which can be habit forming and may cause a hangover effect the following morning.