How Melatonin May Help You Sleep

The average person will usually sleep at night, when it is dark outside, and awake in the morning, when it is light outside (that is unless you work the night shift).

This “normal” sleep pattern is due to our circadian rhythm, which is a chemical/physiological cycle that occurs in living beings every day. It is basically a 24-hour cycle, which affects our internal processes like body temperature, sleep, alertness, hormones and digestive functions.

The circadian rhythms may be thrown off by outside factors such as travel, shift-work and sleeplessness. Jet lag is a common example of a disruption in the circadian rhythm.

Melatonin to the rescue! Melatonin is a natural hormone produced by the pineal gland, and it helps to regulate many hormones in the body. It has been touted as a powerful antioxidant, however its most notable function is controlling the body’s circadian rhythm, helping us fall asleep faster.

You can find Melatonin in most grocery and health food stores in the United States. It is inexpensive to buy and the dosages vary from 300 mcg to 5 mg. At this time there is no recommended dosage, so you need to use some common sense when trying something for the first time. Most people are advised to start out slow with one tablet at the lowest dosage, and see how that works. It is usually best to take it 30 minutes to one hour before bedtime, but depending on how quickly it works, you may want to make adjustments.

You may not need to take Melatonin for a long time either – give it a rest when you establish a good sleep pattern, so you don’t risk diminishing its effects.

Side effects in people taking no other medications are minimal. There have been some reports of dizziness, headaches, vivid dreams, irritability and stomach cramps in those taking higher doses.

If you are taking any kind of regular medication, you should ask your doctor before taking Melatonin, as it may interfere or interact with drugs such as anti-depressants, blood thinners, blood pressure medications and anti-inflammatory medications (just to name a few).

Also, if you suffer from chronic insomnia, Melatonin is not the solution – you should see your doctor for treatment.