What happens if you take melatonin every night before bed

The use is increasing - here is what doctors have to say about its safety.


When you are insomnia , everything that helps you to fall - and stay - Also asleep is like an essential relief. This is why, more and more, people are looking for melatonin supplements. These synthetic hormones work by imitating the natural hormones produced by the pineal gland in the brain. This helps regulate your circadian rhythm in response to darkness. A 2018 study revealed that people are now taking melatonin Twice the rate They made a decade before the start of the study.

However, doctors say that melatonin supplements are not intended for long -term use and can have involuntary consequences when you take them every night before bed. "Melatonin should only be used to recalibrate a circadian rhythm that has gone wrong, as with the jet lag, for a short period", " Nilong Vyas , MD, the pediatrician behind Sleepless in Nola and a medical review expert for Sleepfoundation.org , recount Better life .

Mayo Clinic adds that melatonin should never be used as "first or only remedy" for bad sleep . "It must be associated with lifestyle choices that create a solid basis for good health," write their experts. Read the rest to find out what's going on when you take melatonin every night, and what experts say is a safe use of popular supplement.

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You may feel certain side effects.

A man holding his head with his eyes closed suffering from a headache
Istock / Stefanamer

The good news with regard to melatonin is that it is unlikely that you will develop a tolerance or physical dependence , the Cleveland Clinic writes. However, some people will develop side effects after taking melatonin in the long term.

"Melatonin is generally considered safe for short -term use, but long -term use or high doses can cause potential side effects," said Blen tesfu , MD, a general practitioner and Creator of medical content For Welzo. "Current side effects may include headache, daytime sleepiness, dizziness, stomach discomfort and irritability," she said, noting that they tend to be relatively soft.

The Mayo clinic adds that rarer side effects can include lively dreams or nightmares, feelings of depression , irritability, stomach cramps, other gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea or constipation, an increased risk of falling, mood swings, etc.

Tesfu notes that each person taking melatonin can respond differently to the supplement. "Some people may experience side effects or efficiency changes, even with short-term use, while others cannot," she said.

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He could interact with your other drugs.

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If you take melatonin every evening in a sleeping pill, you can also increase your risk that the supplement interacting with your other drugs. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

The Mayo clinic notes that certain types of drugs may be more likely to cause interactions. These include drugs that slow down blood clotting, precede convulsions, manage blood pressure, manage diabetes or remove the immune system.

Their experts add that any medication broken down by the liver has the potential to interact with melatonin. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to find out if your drugs are sure to take with short -term doses of melatonin.

This could interfere with your production of normal hormones.

Female doctor therapist in white uniform with stethoscope consulting woman patient at meeting, sitting at desk in hospital, giving recommendations, explaining medical checkup results at appointment
Fizkes / Shutterstock

Scientists are still working to understand the ways in which the taking of melatonin could regularly impact your production of normal hormones - especially among young users.

"Because melatonin is a hormone, it is possible that melatonin supplements can affect hormonal development, including puberty, menstrual cycles and overproduction of prolactin hormone, but we do not know with certainty", explains the National Center for Complementary and Integral Health (NCCIH), a branch of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

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Here is how sure it is to take.

Aisle of Melatonin
Image party / Shutterstock

How many melatonin you take and for how long can vary depending on the needs and circumstances of an individual, says Tesfu. The key is to consult a health professional, such as a doctor or a sleep specialist, before starting melatonin or any sleep assistance. "They can provide personalized advice according to your specific situation and help determine the appropriate potential dosage, duration and interactions with other medicines you may take," said the doctor Better life .

However, melatonin is generally considered to be sure to take for a few nights or for several weeks until sleep habits are normalized. The National Health Services (NHS) of the United Kingdom says that if you take a low dose of 2 mg slow release tablets, you should never exceed one Total 13 weeks Regular use, unless you are informed of the opposite by your doctor. Higher doses may have to be even more limited in duration.

For a better night's rest, focus on creating good sleep hygiene practices, such as maintaining a coherent sleeping schedule, the creation of a relaxing The evening routine And optimize the sleep environment, advise Tesfu. These can help improve the quality of sleep without relying only on sleep aids.

Best Life offers the most up -to -date information for high -level experts, new research and health agencies, but our content is not supposed to replace professional advice. Regarding the medication you take or any other health issue you have, always consult your health care provider directly.


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