Dr. Dario Dornbierer 8 mins read 16 Feb 2023

Melatonin for sleep – does it work?

Melatonin für den Schlaf - funktioniert das?

Important points:

  • Melatonin is a hormone produced by the body that controls your sleep cycle. It is also responsible for maintaining body temperature, blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and keeps your body relaxed. Studies have shown that melatonin also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
  • You should start with a low dose of melatonin and stick to the lowest dose that works for you. Taking high doses of melatonin can cause side effects such as nausea, headaches, dizziness, daytime sleepiness, and irritability.
  • Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid melatonin. It is also not recommended for people with autoimmune diseases, seizure disorders, and depression. This supplement may also interfere with the effectiveness of certain medications.

Melatonin is one of those supplements that almost everyone knows about, as more and more people are having trouble sleeping in today's fast-paced world. In fact, in some countries, it is one of the most commonly used supplements. But if you want to use melatonin, you need to understand how it works and what it can and cannot do for you. Read on to find out exactly what melatonin does for your body and how you can use it effectively.

What is Melatonin

Melatonin is one of the hormones produced in your brain that controls your sleep cycle. It is produced by the pineal gland in the brain, but is also present in your bone marrow, eyes, and gut. Melatonin production depends on the availability of light. Normally, your melatonin levels rise after sunset and stay high at night. In the morning, blood levels of the hormone drop, forcing your body to wake up. In winter, when the days are shorter, melatonin production may drop slightly. It also decreases as you age.

How melatonin works

Melatonin not only controls your sleep cycle, but it also affects your body's circadian rhythm, or more simply put, your body's internal clock. This clock controls processes such as sleeping, waking, and eating. This hormone also regulates your body temperature, blood pressure, blood sugar, body weight, and the levels of some other hormones. It also binds to certain receptors in your brain and keeps you relaxed. In addition to all these benefits, studies have found that melatonin also has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Its antioxidant properties may help support eye health and reduce the risk of eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration. It may also reduce heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux because it protects the lining of the esophagus. Studies suggest that melatonin may reduce the symptoms of tinnitus, a ringing in the ears, and relieve migraines. Migraines are recurring headaches characterized by severe pain or a throbbing sensation. Because melatonin can inhibit pain receptors, it may be an effective remedy for migraines.

Dietary supplements with melatonin

Many people have problems with melatonin production. They can be caused by circadian rhythm disturbances in blind people or people who work shifts, delayed sleep disorders (disturbances in the normal sleep cycle), and jet lag. Low melatonin levels can also be caused by other factors such as caffeine or alcohol consumption, smoking, and too much light at night. Taking melatonin supplements can help relieve these symptoms.

Melatonin supplements are available over the counter and can be either synthetic or natural, derived from the glands of animals. 

How to take melatonin

You don't need to take a lot of melatonin to feel its benefits. You should also keep in mind that taking more of the supplement won't make the effects happen any faster. It is recommended to start with a small dose and gradually increase it if you feel you need it.

Even more important is when you take melatonin. For example, if you want to prevent jet lag, it's best to take the supplement 3 days before your trip. If you work shifts, take it at the end of your workday.

Studies have also shown that taking melatonin before bedtime shortens the time it takes to fall asleep and increases total sleep time.

There are a few other tips that can make your melatonin intake more effective. The most important is that you should try to minimize your exposure to artificial light. This includes not using any gadgets before bed and turning off overhead lights. You can also try sleeping with the curtains open so that sunlight can signal your body that it needs to wake up in the morning.

Melatonin for children

Melatonin is safe for children and may even help with certain conditions like ADHD and autism and promote better sleep. However, a pediatrician must determine whether or not your child needs melatonin supplements. While melatonin is safe as a short-term solution, its long-term effects have not been studied.

Side effects of melatonin

Always remember that taking melatonin at the wrong time can disrupt your body's natural clock. Melatonin is safe and non-addictive, but it can cause some side effects, such as nausea, headaches, dizziness, daytime sleepiness, and irritability. However, these side effects only occur if you take too much melatonin. Taking high doses of melatonin can disrupt your sleep cycle even more.

You should avoid taking melatonin supplements if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or have the following medical conditions:

  • Autoimmune disease
  • Seizure disorders
  • depression

Also, do not take melatonin if you are taking the following medications:

  • Anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs and supplements
  • Antidepressants
  • Anticonvulsants
  • Blood pressure medication
  • Diabetes medications
  • Contraceptive medication
  • CNS depressants
  • Diazepam (Valium)

If you want to take melatonin supplements, it is best to consult your doctor, especially if you have any of the above-mentioned medical conditions or are taking any of the above-mentioned medications.

How to take melatonin

When taking melatonin, it is recommended to start with a low dose, such as 0.5-1 mg taken half an hour before bedtime. If you don't notice any effect, you can increase the dose to 3-5 mg. Taking more than 5 mg of melatonin will not help you fall asleep faster or improve your sleep quality. Your goal is to find the lowest dose that works for you. You can also ask your doctor what dose of melatonin you need and what form is best for you.

If melatonin doesn't work for you after a week or two, talk to your doctor. If it works, you can safely take it for 1-2 months. After that, you should take a break and see what your sleep cycle is like.

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FAQ

Is it okay to take melatonin every night?

Melatonin is a safe and non-addictive supplement, but it is not recommended to take it long-term. The general recommendation is to take melatonin for 1-2 months and then take a break and see how your sleep is without melatonin.

What are the negative effects of melatonin?

Melatonin is unlikely to cause side effects, but if you take high doses of this supplement, you may experience nausea, headaches, dizziness, daytime sleepiness, and irritability.

Does melatonin help you fall asleep or sleep through the night?

Melatonin is produced naturally in your body to control the sleep cycle. It helps you fall asleep faster, and melatonin supplements can be used to treat certain disorders, such as delayed sleep phase and circadian sleep rhythm disorders in blind people and to relieve insomnia in the rest of the population.

How long does it take for melatonin to help you sleep?

You should take melatonin 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime, as melatonin takes about half an hour to take effect. If you work night shifts, take it immediately after your shift ends. If you have jet lag, you can start taking melatonin 3 days before your trip.

Who should not take melatonin?

Melatonin is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women and people suffering from autoimmune diseases, seizure disorders or depression. Melatonin can also interfere with the action of some medications. Therefore, it is recommended to consult a doctor before taking melatonin.

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