Can i become dependent on melatonin

Is Melatonin Addictive? Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, Pharm. Addiction Dosage Side effects Bottom line Overview. The supplement has been used to help with circadian rhythm sleep disorders for: people who are blind those with jet lag shift workers children with developmental disorders, like autism spectrum disorder.

Can you become addicted to melatonin? How much melatonin should a person take? What are the side effects of taking melatonin? The bottom line.

Read this next. Melatonin Overdose. How to Make Lavender Tea. Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph. Medically reviewed by Raj Dasgupta, MD. The 10 Best Magnesium Supplements for Sleep in Being susceptible to passing out could put you in extreme danger, especially if you operate heavy machinery, are driving, or are walking outside or in potentially hazardous situations. You might find yourself in a collision or another serious accident.

The safest dose for this sleep aid is the lowest one effective in helping you fall asleep. Start with a dose between 0. Dose strength depends on your age, your sensitivity to the supplement, and your body weight.

Too much melatonin is counterproductive since it produces the opposite effect to its intended purpose. Using too much could make sleeping more difficult since it could disrupt your circadian rhythms.

Overdosing could also cause you to feel groggy during the day and cause you to experience vivid dreams or nightmares. Aside from feeling the side effects mentioned above, you could also develop joint pain and feelings of anxiety from too much melatonin. Furthermore, if you take medications that lower your blood pressure, like calcium channel blockers or beta-blockers, you might also see lower effectivity from the supplement.

Be sure to speak with your doctor about the specific combination of supplements and medications you use. Sometimes, taking a supplement for lower levels is not the most advisable way to get more sleep, especially if you take medicine for other chronic ailments.

Melatonin is a sleep supplement that helps the body realign its sleep cycle and follow natural circadian rhythms. As with anything you take for health, it is best to consult your doctor before taking this sleep aid.

Sign in. Log into your account. Password recovery. It is possible to consume too much melatonin from supplements. Some of the side effects of excess melatonin include:. If you take excessive amounts of melatonin on top of certain medications, you may also be at higher risk for seizures, high blood pressure, excess bleeding and poor immune function.

Taking a large dose of melatonin can exacerbate this reaction. But to derive maximum benefits from a melatonin supplement, timing is crucial. So, if you hope to fall asleep at 11 p. Existing studies have shown that it is safe to take melatonin daily for short periods, such as a few days after changing time zones for travel or after surgery.

Your ongoing problem with lack of sleep may be the symptom of an underlying medical problem. Melatonin can also interfere with some medications and medical conditions.

In some cases, children may be able to take small doses of melatonin for brief periods, but there is not a lot of research available on the effects of melatonin in children. Anyone taking this supplement should always exercise caution and check with a doctor to prevent unwanted reactions and manage side effects appropriately.

Besides being comforting, there is a scientific reason this may aid in sleep. Some foods are rich in melatonin, so increasing your daily intake of these foods can improve your sleep.

Melatonin-rich foods include honey, almonds, barley, strawberries, pineapple, oranges, oats, bananas, spinach, cherries, tomatoes and milk. Spending time outside in the morning can help you sleep better. Exposure to natural light earlier in the day prepares your body to respond to its increased melatonin levels at nighttime.

Exposure to natural light throughout the day will create a more pronounced response from your body when it gets dark. If you must look at a screen in the evening, apply a filter to reduce exposure to blue light. You should also aim to wake up around the same time daily, so your body gets used to the routine. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Accessed Sept. Natural Medicines. Ferracioli-Oda E, et al. Meta-analysis: Melatonin for the treatment of primary sleep disorders.

PLOS One. Auld F, et al. Evidence for the efficacy of melatonin in the treatment of primary adult sleep disorders. Sleep Medicine Reviews. Auger RR, et al. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. See also Tips for better sleep 8 ways to improve sleep quality as you age Alzheimer's sleep problems Can psoriasis make it hard to sleep? Sleep and psoriatic arthritis Healthy heart for life: Avoiding heart disease Heavy menstrual bleeding: 3 tips to sleep better Hidradenitis suppurativa and sleep: How to get more zzz's How a sleep diary can transform how you feel Sleep guidelines How to sleep well during time changes I have atopic dermatitis.

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