![]() "It's important to remember that melatonin is a hormone and using any hormone regularly can down-regulate your own production of that hormone," notes Bonney. And beyond being ineffective, taking melatonin every night can be harmful. ![]() While short-term melatonin use is considered safe for most people, there is limited research to show that it is effective for promoting sleep long term. Some also tested positive for unlisted ingredients like serotonin, a neurotransmitter chemical (and a controlled substance.) She points to one study that tested melatonin supplements and found that they can contain anywhere from 83% less to 478% more melatonin than listed on the label. The vast majority of melatonin supplements are synthetic and can be made at varying quality standards. In addition to sticking to lower doses, Bhopal notes that it's important to buy melatonin from a reputable brand. This means that most people will want to take it within the hour leading up to bed to help them fall asleep at their desired time. Seema Bonney, M.D., the founder and medical director of the Anti-Aging & Longevity Center of Philadelphia, notes that melatonin typically stays in the system between four to eight hours, and it can take 30 minutes to two hours to "kick in" depending on the formulation. "I tell my clients 'less is more' when it comes to melatonin," she says, as taking higher doses of it can increase the likelihood of uncomfortable side effects like grogginess upon waking. To correct a short-term sleep disruption, Bhopal recommends taking no more than 0.5 to 1 milligram of melatonin at a time. But once you get your sleep schedule back on track, it's best to stop taking the hormone, as consuming melatonin nightly-especially in high doses-is not recommended. ![]() In other words, it can make it easier for you to fall asleep at a new time. ![]() "Melatonin is really helpful as a 'chronobiological agent' to adjust the sleep cycle," explains Nishi Bhopal, M.D., a psychiatrist specializing in sleep medicine.īhopal notes- and other experts agree-that increasing melatonin levels through supplementation can be helpful for correcting a temporary disruption in your sleep-wake cycle, like when you're traveling to a new time zone or acclimating to a night shift at work. This is where melatonin supplements usually come in. People who use bright lights or technology at night, or who need to stay awake during the evenings for work or travel, might find that their melatonin levels are out of whack, causing them to feel wide-awake when they should be asleep. Melatonin levels usually rise after sunset (hence its nickname "the hormone of darkness") and fall when the sun rises in the morning, which helps your body wake up. The amount of melatonin you produce depends on a number of factors, with the biggest being your exposure to light. Melatonin is a hormone that our pineal gland secretes to tell the body that it's time to wind down for sleep.
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