Is Melatonin Actually Safe to Take Every Night?

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH), Melatonin is a hormone produced by the brain in response to darkness.

It helps in timing the cardiac rhythm or 24-hour internal clock and sleep.

They added that research suggests that melatonin has other benefits in our body however, the said effects are not fully understood.

Melatonin high levels in blood occur during the night.

According to Mayo Clinic, research suggests that melatonin supplements might help in treating sleeping disorders such as delayed sleep phase and provide relief from insomnia and jet lag. 

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Melatonin and Sleep

According to Luis F. Buenaver, Ph.D., C.B.S.M., and John Hopkins' sleep expert, Melatonin does not make us sleep, but as it's level rises in the evening, it puts us in quiet wakefulness that promotes the activity.

John Hopkins Medicine said people experiencing insomnia and jet lag can try melatonin supplements for short term use. Mayo Clinic seconded the idea and emphasized that melatonin does not make people dependent on the supplement and has a diminished response after habitual use or experience a hangover effect. Dr. Buenaver emphasized that 1-3 milligrams of Melatonin supplement before bedtime is ideal.

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Caution

According to NIH, Melatonin supplements are considered a dietary supplement and means a less strict regulation on the supplement. However, they also said that taking it with another supplement of medication should be careful. Here is the list of medication according to Mayo clinic should be carefully taken into account:

• Anti-coagulants and anti-platelet Drugs. These drugs promote the reduction of the blood clot. Taking melatonin with it might increase the risk of bleeding.
• Blood Pressure Drugs. Melatonin might worsen blood pressure in people taking blood pressure drugs.
• CNS Depressants. When used with Melatonin supplements might cause an additional sedative effect.
• Diabetes Medications. Melatonin might affect sugar levels. Diabetics are advised to take the supplement cautiously.
• Seizure Threshold Lowering Drugs. Melatonin might increase the risk of seizure when used with this drug.

Since there are limited studies on the connection of children and melatonin, NIH still reminded that Melatonin supplements appear to be safe in most children however, because it is naturally a hormone even with less assurance NIH said that it may affect hormonal development.

Melatonin and Sleeping Pills

As said by the experts, Melatonin is a hormone that promotes an individual's sleep cycle.  According to the University of California San Francisco or UCSF, studies also show that melatonin supplements are rich in antioxidants that can slow the aging process however, the consequences of taking the supplement in the long-term are still unknown. On the other hand, UCSF stated that when taken a long time, sleeping pills lose their effectiveness which results in an increase in the dosage. They also emphasized that some sleeping pills cause a drugged effect which means it stays in the body's system for a long time.

Dr. Buenaver said that if Melatonin does not help in an individual's sleep for 1-2 weeks, it is ideal to stop using it. He recommended talking to a healthcare provider if ever the sleep problems still occur. He also suggested that if Melatonin supplements help, it is ideal to continue taking it for one to two months every night. Stopping the supplement will help in observing the sleep without the help of the supplement.

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