Doctors warn this popular supplement could make you nightmares
This affects your sleep hormones, sometimes not for the best.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that around 59% of American adults have taken a food supplement in the last 30 days. For many, over -the -counter capsules can be an apparently harmless way to do everything Boost their immune system To help promote longevity. But like any medication, taking a supplement can come with side effects, including nightmares. Read the rest to see what daily dose could terrorize your dreams.
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High doses of melatonin could cause your nightmares.
When you try to guarantee a good night's sleep, many people turn to melatonin supplements, especially if they want to avoid prescription sleep aids. But according to doctors, one of the potential side effects of the dose at bedtime could cause another type of disturbance while you doze.
"If you go to your local pharmacy, most melatonin products are five to 10 milligrams", " Whitney Roban , PHD, clinical psychologist and sleep specialist, says Reverse . "It has been shown that everything that exceeds five milligrams increases the probability of negative side effects such as nausea, increased anxiety and headache. The side effects I mean on the most are very lively dreams and nightmares. ”
Why is it? Melatonin is a natural "sleep hormone" found in the body that regulates cycles during the day we feel tired or alert. Consequently, some doctors hypothesized that melatonin could bring down people REM stadium duration where people are most likely to have nightmares.
"If you spend more time at the sleep stage where lively dreams are the most likely to happen, this can naturally lead to an increase in bad / lively dreams", " Michelle DRERUP , PHD, a behavioral psychologist in sleep medicine, says Cleveland clinic .
She explains that melatonin also releases a protein known as vasotocin which helps regulate paradoxical sleep during the night. Thus, taking higher quantities of melatonin can increase vasotocin levels.
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Studies have shown that many melatonin supplements contain dosages different from those announced.
In a 2017 study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine , the researchers discovered that the Melatonin dosage in supplements varied wildly compared to what was listed on the packaging, some up to 83% lower and others up to 478% higher than announced.
The results also showed that more than 71% of the supplements tested were not in a margin of ten percent of the dosage listed, and 26% contained other ingredients such as serotonin. Even in the same production batches, the researchers found that the melatonin content in the product varied up to 465%.
In addition to taking larger doses than necessary, some doctors also warn against taking supplements for long periods.
"Minimum research exists on the use of melatonin beyond a few months," Drerup told Cleveland Clinic. "In general, the use of melatonin was only tried up to three months, even if many people take it much longer."
If you believe that your melatonin supplement causes nightmares or if you have trouble sleeping, talk to your health care provider. And never start to take a new supplement without first asking your doctor.
