Melatonin therapy may also benefit people who suffer from jet lag, those who work night shifts, and high school students who frequently feel sleepy at unusual hours. In addition, because of its delayed onset, it may be suitable for persons suffering from jet lag or who have had a late night of school.
However, the possible benefits and risks of utilizing this supplement will differ for each individual. Continue reading to learn more about it.
Excessive daytime drowsiness and irritability
Melatonin for sleep has been shown to offer a variety of positive side effects; nonetheless, it should be used with strong caution, especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Melatonin has been found in research to increase sleep quality.
Furthermore, the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate melatonin supplements, so they may contain more or less of the ingredient than mentioned on the label. Moreover, you should not exceed the authorized dosage to avoid experiencing tiredness, which can be problematic if you are driving.
Excessive daytime drowsiness and irritability are two potential side effects of taking melatonin for sleep. It may also interfere with various prescription and over-the-counter sleep aids. Furthermore, if you are taking melatonin pills, you should avoid consuming alcohol or caffeine, as these drugs may limit the melatonin’s advantages. Finally, again, some evidence is that melatonin may make children more prone to seizures.
Interactions with other types of medication
Although there have been very few known interactions between melatonin for sleep and other medications, it is crucial to note that melatonin can potentially have harmful effects and should be avoided in certain circumstances.
For example, melatonin can potentially affect the effects of other medicines that cause sleepiness, such as tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, and even some treatments used to treat anxiety and seizures. Furthermore, it may interact with various vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplements.
Melatonin is a supplement that, when used as directed by a physician, can assist in encouraging sleep. Melatonin interactions with other drugs for sleep are infrequent. Therefore, for most people, it is entirely safe to use. In addition, melatonin is safe and well tolerated when taken orally for a short time.
However, research suggests that consuming significant amounts of melatonin may impair adolescent growth. Similarly, combining melatonin for sleep and other drugs may increase depression symptoms. Furthermore, children with high blood pressure should not take melatonin to go asleep.
Considered a risk-free dietary supplement
Before beginning treatment, it is recommended that you consult with your primary care physician or a sleep specialist about the use of melatonin for sleep safety. Before retiring to bed, the sleep doctor suggests that you try non-drug methods. These methods can be turning off electronic devices and lowering the brightness of the room’s lighting.
In response to this stimulus, your body will produce more melatonin. You should also avoid alcoholic beverages and caffeine in the late afternoon and hours before bed. You should also switch off your computer, television, and other electronic devices at least half an hour before bedtime.
Despite being widely considered a risk-free dietary supplement, there is evidence from a few studies that melatonin may be hazardous to one’s health. For example, if you take it in extremely high doses during your first trimester of pregnancy, you may suffer some adverse side effects, such as feeling tired during the day.
In addition, melatonin use during pregnancy may make it more difficult to conceive and affect glucose tolerance and other vital functions.
Effectiveness
A 2005 meta-analysis of fifteen studies in which participants were given a placebo discovered that taking melatonin supplements reduced the time it took to fall asleep and increased the overall amount of time spent sleeping. Although the effects of jet lag are unknown, some users have reported feeling less worried and falling asleep faster after using it.
On the other hand, it is critical to remember that the effectiveness of melatonin for sleep varies from person to person. Furthermore, it does not follow the standard dosage-response curve, indicating that increasing the dose does not always result in an improvement in sleep quality.
Melatonin for Better Sleep
However, the quality and quantity of available studies have caused a drop in confidence in the projected influence of melatonin on sleep. Minor studies, on the other hand, did not aggregate their findings and did not consider the magnitude of the effect.
Because of these limitations, we could not draw definitive conclusions from the melatonin research. As a result, small and medium-sized businesses could not recommend melatonin to shift workers. Despite this, there is still data that supports the utility of melatonin.
