What is melatonin?
Melatonin is a hormone made by a part of the brain called the pineal gland. It helps regulate your sleep cycle by telling your body when it’s time to go to sleep and when it’s time to wake up.
Melatonin is available as a supplement in pill form. There are two types: natural and synthetic (manmade). Natural melatonin is made from the pineal gland of animals. This form could be contaminated with a virus, so it’s not recommended. The synthetic form of melatonin doesn’t carry this risk. The label on the pill bottle should list the type. If you’re not sure, ask a pharmacist or doctor before you take it.
Melatonin is sold over the counter (OTC) in health food stores and drug stores in the United States. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate this type of supplement. It is not officially FDA-approved for any indication. Because of this, its purity, safety, and success can’t be guaranteed. However, it is still considered a treatment for insomnia by the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Path to improved health
Most people take melatonin to help treat sleep disorders. The most common one is insomnia, which is difficulty falling asleep and/or staying asleep. You also can take it to help prevent or treat jet lag. The typical adult dose ranges from 0.3 mg to 5 mg at bedtime. Lower doses often work as well as higher doses.
Read the directions on the pill bottle’s label. These will tell you how much melatonin to take and how often to take it. If you have questions about how to take the supplement, call your doctor or pharmacist. Don’t take more than the recommended amount. Taking more melatonin doesn’t make it work quicker or better. Overdosing on any medicine can be dangerous.
Keep a record of all medicines and supplements you take and when you take them. Take this list with you when you go to the doctor. Ask your doctor if it’s okay to take melatonin if:
- You take other prescription or OTC medicines
- You have ongoing health problems
- You’re pregnant or breastfeeding. It’s unclear what effect melatonin can have on an unborn baby or nursing infant
Store melatonin out of reach and sight of children. Keep medicines and supplements in a cool, dry place. This helps prevent them from becoming less effective before they expire. Don’t store them in bathrooms, which are often hot and humid.
Things to consider about melatonin
There is little scientific evidence that melatonin has a role in promoting health or treating disease. It’s also not proven to slow down the aging process or prolong your life.
Some people who take melatonin have side effects. These include:
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- A heavy head feeling
- Nausea
- Feeling hungover
- Depression
Further study is needed to find out more about melatonin’s side effects, especially the delayed or long-term effects. It’s unknown if melatonin causes problems when taken with other medicines. It also is unknown if melatonin affects people who have certain diseases and conditions.
Questions to ask your doctor
- How do I know if I should take melatonin supplements?
- Is it best to take melatonin in the short-term or long-term?
- Is it safer or less safe to take melatonin than other OTC or prescription medicines?
- Is melatonin safe for children?
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This article was contributed by familydoctor.org editorial staff.
Copyright © American Academy of Family Physicians
This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject.
