Melatonin is naturally present inside the body. Hence, it is a hormone that is responsible for a goodnight’s sleep. Although it is good for those who are having trouble sleeping, too much can harm the body. As a result, it can disturb the sleep-wake cycle of the body. Additionally, it can give other bad side effects that you do not expect to happen.
Moreover, there is no specific right amount for this sleeping pill, so it is always safe to ask your doctor before taking one. Also, some may have allergies, so the dosage is different depending on what your body needs. Children must not take it without a doctor’s prescription. Usually, a doctor recommends around 1 to 10 mg, and above can be very dangerous to health.
1. What is the Safe Amount?
A doctor will start in the lowest amount, like 0.2 to 0.5 mg. Hence, it will only go up if it does not help you fall asleep. Also, it may depend on your body weight, sensitivity, and age.
2. Signs of Overdose
An overuse of melatonin can give anyone a different side effect than what it is intended for. Likewise, it will give you more sleepless nights. The reason is that it can damage the body normal body clock. Too much of it will make you feel sleepy during the daytime and might give you nightmares during nighttime. Aside from that, one may also experience signs like:
- Headaches
- Diarrhea
- Pains
- Irritability
- Nausea
- Stomach ache
- Low blood pressure
- Trembling
It is good to know that there is still no report of someone who died because of melatonin side effects. Also, if you become dependent on it, it may not work in the future. Therefore, you will suffer from more serious sleep problems. Additionally, taking medicine to lower blood pressure must ask their doctor first before taking a pill. The reason is that it may get in the way of your medicine.
3. What you Need to Avoid?
If you want to avoid serious melatonin side effects, it is better to stay away from drinking alcohol and anything with caffeine. These ingredients can decrease the natural production of the hormone and badly affect your body clock. Therefore, ask your doctor if you can take it and what is the right amount for you.
Furthermore, it is not advisable for women in birth control pills. These pills can increase melatonin, so taking a pill can give you an abnormal body amount. Likewise, bad melatonin effects can happen with other drugs. As a result, it may increase bleeding in the body. Therefore, talk to your doctor right away if you happen to take it with a blood-thinning drug.
4. Melatonin for Children
It is mentioned above that it is not for children. However, there is an exemption to this when they have a brain development problem. Children with this health problem are having trouble sleeping. Hence, when the doctor gives it to a child, then follow the right amount. Above all, a small increase may have a seriously bad effect.
Unfortunately, the right amount is not regulated. Therefore, bad melatonin effects can happen to anyone. Each supplement may have different strengths. So, one needs the guidance of a doctor to know the right brand of supplement to take.
5. When to see your Doctor
Moreover, the right time to speak to your doctor is when you are having trouble sleeping. If your sleeping problem is already bothering your day time activity, then talk to them immediately. Hence, it is not good to take it alone as you may choose the wrong brand and amount for you. Likewise, the doctor is the right person that can tell you if you can take it or not. It is especially true if you have other health issues and taking other drugs.
In case you accidentally take some and experience bad side effects, it is good to call your doctor quickly. However, for serious side effects, it is good to contact the poison control, local emergency unit, or 911. Dangerous side effects that can cause concerns are:
- Very high blood pressure
- Chest pain
- Difficulty in breathing
