Melatonin Side Effects
The most common Melatonin side-effect is headache and/or an altered sleep pattern. Mental or mood changes may also occur as well as itching, fast heartbeat or heavy headedness. Melatonin may cause lowering of the body temperature. Vivid dream is also associated with melatonin use. Melatonin side-effects are usually temporary and can be relieved by reducing the melatonin dosage. About 8% of people taking 5 mg of melatonin or less per day will feel sleepy during the day. For a complete list of melatonin side effects pls. visit this link:http://www.melatoninfaq.com/melatonin-side-effects/ . It is very important to note that the long term side effects of Melatonin are still unknown. There is a need for more research to know what are the side effects of melatonin if it is used for a very long time.
What is Melatonin ?
Melatonin is also known as 5-methoxy-N-acetyltryptamine. This is a hormone that is found in all biological organisms. The level of melatonin inside an organism varies in a predefined cycle and is affected by the amount of light the body receives. Melatonin on humans is produced by the pineal gland from the amino acid Tryptophan. It helps the body know when it’s time to sleep or when it’s time to wake up. Melatonin is released at night or in the dark and sort of instructs the body that it is time to sleep.Young and middle-aged adults usually produce about 5 to 25 micrograms of melatonin per night. This level declines as a person ages and this is reported to be the reason why older persons have difficulty sleeping. Two forms of melatonin exist on the market, the natural form which comes from the pineal gland of animals and the synthetic form which is made from reacting certain chemical compounds. Natural melatonin may pose a risk to humans because it can be contaminated with animal viruses. Synthetic melatonin is safer to use because it is free from biological contaminants.
Melatonin For Sleep
Melatonin maintains the Circadian Rhythm of our body. The Circadian Rhythm is the built-in 24-Hour “clock” inside our body which plays an important role when we should wake up and when we should fall asleep. When your surrounding is dark, the body produces more melatonin; When your surrounding is bright, the production of melatonin is reduced. Without an increase in melatonin production in the evening, it will be difficult to fall asleep. Melatonin production rise when the sun goes down and appears to peak at 2:00 AM. When you are exposed to bright lights in the evening or you have very little light during daytime, the normal melatonin cycle of the body can be disrupted. Jet lag, Night Shift Work and Poor vision are some of the things that can disrupt normal melatonin cycles. Taking melatonin tablets before going to sleep can supplement the melatonin levels of the body, which makes sleeping come easily and consistently.
Uses of Melatonin – Melatonin Benefits
Although melatonin is very popular as a Sleep Remedy or Sleep Aid and as a natural treatment for Insomnia. Melatonin has other uses aside from improving sleep. Studies show that it can be used as an antioxidant, cancer protective agent, skin protective agent, contraceptive and as a treatment for Seasonal affective depression. As you can see, Melatonin is a multi-functional hormone that is produced naturally by the human body. There are other uses for melatonin which are still being studied today. We have listed the more common use of melatonin below.
1. Melatonin Sleep Aid/Melatonin as a Natural Sleeping Pills – Melatonin is a natural sleeping aid. During daytime, the blood level of melatonin is low and increases at night. Melatonin supplements that are given during the day makes anyone feel sleepy. Natural melatonin production in the brain is highest between 2am and 4am and declines as a person ages. Users of melatonin reported an increase in the vividness and frequency of their dreams.
2. Melatonin as an Antioxidant – Melatonin is an antioxidant which is both active in water and oil phase. Vitamin-C and Glutathione are only active in water phase while Vitamin E and Vitamin A are only active in oil phase.
3. Cancer protection (Possible anti-tumor properties) - Women with breast cancer have lower levels of melatonin compared to cancer free individuals. Melatonin also inhibits the growth of certain types of breast cancer cells. Preliminary experiments suggest that melatonin may enhance the effectiveness of some chemotherapy drugs. Men with prostate cancer also have lower levels of melatonin compared to normal individuals. One study reported that the addition of melatonin to conventional anti-cancer drugs enhanced the survivable rates of men with metastatic prostate cancer.
4. Oral contraceptive – Melatonin also plays a role in the endocrine-reproductive system and it reduces the circulation of Leutenizing Hormone. Melatonin may inhibit ovulation in women and it had been suggested for use in combination with other contraceptives. Some studies suggest that melatonin actually stimulates reproduction. It is noted that when men take high doses of melatonin, there is an associated decrease in sperm mobility and sex drive.
5. Skin protection from ultraviolet light – Topical melatonin when combined with vitamins C and E exhibits photo protective property. Melatonin can be used as a natural sunscreen.
6. Insomnia – Several studies suggest that melatonin taken by mouth before going to sleep helps a person fall asleep faster. It is best to take it 1 or 1 and a half hours before going to sleep.
7. Depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder - Some studies show that people which suffers from major depression or panic disorder have low blood levels of melatonin. There are experimental studies showing that melatonin increases serotonin levels which helps reduce the symptoms of depressive illness.
8. Jet Lag and Work Shifts – Melatonin reduces the time it takes to establish normal sleep pattern and reduces the time it takes to fall asleep and reduces daytime tiredness. Working at night shifts or staying up all night upsets the biological clock of the body. This causes fatigue, dizziness and disability to have clear thinking. Using melatonin before bedtime helps restore the biological clock function and relieves those symptoms.
9. Melatonin for Alzheimer’s Disease Patients - Melatonin has some positive effects on patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. It can improve their sleep and possibly slow down cognitive impairment.
Reference: The use of melatonin in Alzheimer’s disease. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2002 Apr;23 Suppl 1:20-3.
- Melatonin improved sleep and suppressed sundowning, an effect seen regardless of the concomitant medication employed to treat cognitive or behavioral signs of AD. Melatonin treatment seems to constitute a selection therapy to ameliorate sundowning and to slow evolution of cognitive impairment in AD patients.
10. Anti-Aging / Longevity – The positive effects of melatonin on deep restorative sleep could also account for a longer life span. The University of Rajasthan in India tested the influence of chronic administration of low dose melatonin against age-induced oxidative stress on the tissue of mice. The result of the study satates that Melatonin is able to reduce age-induced decline in the body’s natural antioxidant system. The study also indicates that melatonin is also acting as a free radical scavenger and an anti-aging agent.
11. Irritable Bowel Syndrome – Melatonin can improve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in patients who are suffering from sleep disturbances. The use of 3mg Melatonin for two weeks have significantly reduced abdominal pain and bloating, while also reducing the sensitivity of the rectum.
12. Migraine headache reduction – Additional research is needed to see if melatonin is effective for treating migraine. Studies show that there is a relationship between Melatonin and Headache. A research of Dr. Mario Peres, of Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, in Sao Paulo, Brazil showed that there is at least 50 percent reduction in the frequency of headache after three months of Melatonin treatment (3 milligrams of melatonin 30 minutes before bedtime).
13. Dream Enhancement (Vivid Dreams) - The use of melatonin can lead to vivid, memorable and enjoyable dreams but it can also lead to vivid nightmares. Melatonin improves REM sleep. Any dose of Melatonin that is higher than 1 mg is likely to make dreams very intense. People have reported encountering nightmares on high doses ( typically 2 to 5 mg ).
14. Immune system booster – Animals research shows that melatonin can provide a short term enhancement or stimulation of the immune system. Human studies are not yet established.
15. Diabetes (Adjunct Therapy) - Melatonin used together with Zinc may improve glycemic control in patients that are not responding well to Metformin.
16. Menopause – Melatonin have been reported to have some beneficial effects in treating the symptoms associated with Menopause. However, more research is needed to support these claims.
17. Anti-Inflammatory – A limited research shows that melatonin may posses anti-inflammatory actions.
18. Anti-Anxiety – Melatonin can also be used as an anti-anxiety agent.
Age related anxiety is common in the elderly. Elders experience more anxiety compared to younger persons. An experiment conducted by C. Garzon and associates (February 2009 issue of “Aging Clinical and Experimental Research”) shows that melatonin decreased age related anxiety compared to placebo.
Surgical Anxiety – It is very common for people to experience anxiety before surgery. This is of course a problem for people needing surgical procedures. Having anxiety before an operation can delay or affect the immediate outcome of a surgical procedure. Sedatives can relieve the surgical anxiety of a person but it may have negative side effects. A study by Salah A. Ismail and colleagues April 2009 edition of “Anesthesia & Analgesia”) shows that patients who have been given melatonin experienced less anxiety and pain during an eye surgery.
Melatonin Dosage and Melatonin Overdose
The recommended dosage for melatonin is 1 mg to 5 mg. This is considered to be a safe and effective dosage. It would be a good idea to start first at the lowest melatonin dosage ( 0.3 mg ) and then gradually increase your dosage until you find the most effective dosage for you.
Melatonin Supplement
Melatonin supplements are available over the counter. It is sold as a food supplement and not as a drug. Melatonin supplements com in tablets, capsules and liquid form.
Melatonin For Children
Current research shows that short term use of Melatonin on children over 12 years of age is safe. The long term safety of Melatonin on children has not been established. Long term use of melatonin on kids is not recommended.
Melatonin For Dogs
Melatonin can also be used on dogs to help them sleep better or to have a mild sedative effect.
Melatonin Buying Guide
Tips on buying melatonin supplements. For more information about buying Melatonin, please visit the link below:
What are the precautions when using Melatonin?
If you have immune system disorder, diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, stroke or depression you should consult first your doctor before taking melatonin supplements. You should limit alcohol consumption because it may aggravate some of the side effects of this medicine. Extra caution is advised when you are performing tasks that require alertness such as driving. It is not recommended to take melatonin if you are planning to have pregnancy. Melatonin is not recommended for persons under 20 years old.
Is Melatonin Safe – Melatonin Safety
Current research shows that melatonin is generally safe but the long term safety of Melatonin is not yet known.
Melatonin References:
Webb SM, Puig-Domingo M. Role of melatonin in health and disease. Clin Endocrinol . 1995;42:221-234. Cowley G. Melatonin. Newsweek . 1995;Aug 7:46. laustrat, B., Brun, J., David, M., Sassolas, G., & Chazot, G. (1992).
Melatonin and Jet Lag: Confirmatory Result Using a Simplified Protocol. Biological Psychiatry, 32,705-711. Jan, J. (1994).
The Treatment of Sleep Disorders With Melatonin. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 36, 97-107. Lino, A., Silvy, S., Condorelli, L., & Rusconi, A. (1993).
Melatonin and Jet Lag: Treatment Schedule. Biological Psychiatry, 34, 587. Zhdanova, I. (1995). Sleep – inducing effects of low doses of melatonin ingested in the evening. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 57, 552-558. Arendt J. Melatonin. Clin Endocrinol . 1988;29:205-229. Borbely AA.
Commentary on the articles by Arendt, Weaver, Mahle, et al, and Guardiola-Lemaitre. J Biol Rhythms . 1997;12:707-708.
Pharmacology and physiology of melatonin in the reduction of oxidative stress in vivo. Biol Signals Recept 2000 May-Aug; 9(3-4):160-71.
Differential growth inhibitory effect of melatonin on two endometrial cancer cell lines. J Pineal Res 2000 28(4):227-33.
Melatonin as biological response modifier in cancer patients Anticancer Res 1998 Mar-Apr;18(2B):1329-32. Melatonin deficiency: Its role in oncogenesis and age-related pathology. Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine (Canada) 1990, 5/1 (22-24).
Melatonin improves sleep quality of patients with chronic schizophrenia. J Clin Psychiatry 2000 May;61(5):373-7.
Effect of melatonin on proliferative activity and apoptosis in colon mucosa and colon tumors induced by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine in rats. Exp Toxicol Pathol 2000;52(1):71-6.
Influence of melatonin on proliferation and antioxidant system in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells. Cancer Lett 2000; 151(2):119-25.
my mom gave me a bottle of melatonin tabs that she had bought to help with jet lagg but had never opened it. i have always struggled with going to bed at a decent hour so started taking half a tablet….i have never slept so well and i dont feel groggy in the mornings and function great in the day as i am sleeping very well. i also suffer from depression and take prosac 20mg. i didnt know that melatonin could be used to treat depression til i read this but it certainly hasnt had any negative effects. i highly reccommend this as a sleep aid
I know someone that gives their infant child melitonin everynight to sleep through the night along with benidryll and tylenol. Do you think this is a worthy cause to call CPS?
Uh… YES
I think so!
Abso-frikking-lutely!!! If you havent already, stepa way from the computer and do it NOW.
A close friend of mine recently suddenly died. It has not yet been
determined what was the cause of death. She was 60 yrs. old.
She just went through a divorce and was understandably depressed.
I don’t know the dosage but I believe she started taking melatonin
to help her sleep. She was also drinking wine, heavily at certain
times. Could this have been a deadly concoction that caused her
untimely death?
One of my friends gave me a couple melatonin pills – I’ve been kinda chicken about trying it as well. I have anxiety and depression. I also have trouble waking up – I feel groggy after a full night of rest. – I’ve been taking Valium 10mg for my anxiety. Looking to go more natural. Will melatonin really help with anxiety/depression and regular lethargy for half the day after waking up?
For restlessness, use Melatonin. Start the first night with a dose between 2-5mg. Take it an hour and a half before attempting sleep and don’t eat 30 mins before that so that the melatonin can be utilized quickly. The next night if all goes well (you may have vivid dreams like I do, all great so far! Vivid nightmares can happen too, but that just adds to experience.), try out 2-3mg. The next night do 1-2, and every night after switch to 1. After a while, your body might pick up on the trend and not need as much or any.
Now, for depression/anxiety, try out 5HTP. 5HTP comes a bit in melatonin, but that’s because melatonin develops into seratonin. 5HTP does a better job at bring up your seratonin levels. Start with 20mg a day. If nothing works after a week, jump it to 50. Try that for a few days, and if you’re still not feeling it, 100mg is usually the max. (Although certain studies have attempted 300mg a day, but that isn’t recommended or safe.) reply here if you have any success or questions!
I have always had problems sleeping (as long as I can remember), but recently with my 2nd daughter born, I started taking Unisom sleep melt + Melatonin…
However I keep reading that I shouldn’t take it for more than 3 months. I have never slept that well and easily as on those 2.
But now I am trying to stop for a while to not go over 3 months and replacec it for Valerian root and I am back staying up in the morning hours ….
So my question how long do I have to be off of it to be able to get back on it without problems…
I have never been able to fall asleep that well, if I have to take those 2 forever, I will gladly ax long as it’s not too unhealthy.
No, it wont. You need to revsisit your psychiatrist. The 10mg of vailum is probably what is making you feel groggy and lethargic. I think if you adjust psych meds, that will help you overall.
If I were you, I would be very reluctant to add melatonin to your mix. You are already taking a tremendously powerful drug, and any self-medication added on to that — especially where depression and anxiety are involved — is Russian Roulette. Most supplements are little more than placebos for most people, but melatonin is a potent hormone that readily crosses the blood-brain barrier when taken as an oral supplement. It has an impact — for good or bad — on virtually everyone who takes it. The problem is that a wide variety of results are reported. Lots of people who already suffer from depression report that it makes their symptoms much worse. For people who do not suffer from depression but can’t regulate their sleep cycles, melatonin is like a miracle drug. It has many other beneficial side-effects that have been documented from many year’s worth of controlled studies. Melatonin is at the end of the Trypophan->Seritonin->Melatonin cycle, and, as such should not have an effect on depression. But, widely reported experience says otherwise. My personal reaction to it was that it has a “dulling” effect on my emotions — making me feel neither better nor much worse. I seemed to have less of every emotion; that is better than depression — but not much better. This is, strangely, the same reaction that many people have to SRIs like Prozac. In your case, already having trouble with depression and lethargy leads me to think that melatonin is probably the last thing you should be taking. I’d suggest you look into taking 5-HTP, which is the intermediate amino acid in the Tryptophan->Seritonin part of the equation. In theory, 5-HTP supplementation increases Seritonin production which, in turn, tends to ameliorate symptoms of depression. 5-HTP supplements are not proven to help with depression, but, at least, no one ever complains that it makes them feel worse.