Melatonin question - Vitamins & Supplements Message Board

Cowspots · 12-18-2007, 07:35 PM

I thought taking melatonin would help me sleep, it doesn't. And what is in it that is bring my allergies out in the middle of the night?

Thanks,
CS

dormahmoo · 02-05-2008, 03:18 PM

I should go study my answer first.. But Meletonin I am pretty sure is produced in the body.. The body has its ways of keeping things regulated.. If your body is not running low on meletonin then I seriously doubt that taking more of it is going to help with sleep.. And if it is running low.. I would want to know why before I just take more of it.. Better to fix the problem than put a bandaid on it.

javyn · 02-06-2008, 08:38 AM

Melatonin hasn't helped me either. And reading that if you take it enough, your body will stop producing it kind of scared me. I'd rather not have melatonin withdrawals.

A calcium/magnesium supplement (or anything with magnesium like an epsom salt bath) works best for me to get to sleep at night.

herbivore · 02-09-2008, 04:15 PM

Melatonin is produced in the pineal gland, that is found in the brain. There is evidence that shows that its production is stimulated by darkness. That would mean that it is part of a normal circadian rhythm cycle (wake in the day and sleeping at night.)

It is a common misconseption that melatonin is a "sleeping pill" but that is not the case. Melatonin is more of a sleep aid, it does two things. First it helps regulate and maintain the body's circadian rhythm thus why it is very helpfull for jet lag. Secondly it is helps slow the mind and body down to allow for a more restful sleep, meaning on nights when you have a million thoughts running though you mind and can not sleep melatonin can help "clear" your thoughts.

It should be noted that sleepiness is a side effect that some but not all people experience, and that is more of a result of the person being more relaxed. As far of the body stopping producing melatonin with long term us of the hormone there have not been any test done that have proven this, thus far it is only speculation.

As far as effecting your allergies...I have not read any thing that even hinted at this so I do not know what to say there. You might want to make sure that it is melatonin that is causing it, because it is a hormone that is found in every living thing, from fungus to human, it would be like being allergic to blood.

dolysods · 03-08-2008, 07:00 AM

melatonin didn't help me either. I didn't notice a difference taking 3mg and if i took 6mg i felt hung over in the morning. I went to a healthfood store and they said that you should only take melatonin for a couple of weeks. They recommended another product called Deep Sleep by herbs etc. It has worked pretty well for me. I take one gelcap about an hour before bed and then another when i go to bed. No hangover type feeling the next day.