Melatonin supplements for sleep,side effects and dosage.

Melatonin Supplements.

The main aim of using melatonin as a supplement may be as a natural aid to better sleep. Incidental benefits to health and well-being may accumulate, due to melatonin's role as an antioxidant and its stimulation of the immune system and several components of the endocrine system.

Melatonin pills sold as supplements contain three to ten times the amount needed to produce the desirable physiologic nocturnal blood melatonin level for enhancement of sleep. Dosages are designed to raise melatonin levels for several hours to enhance quality of sleep, but some studies suggest that smaller doses of 0.3 mg as opposed to 3 mg are just as effective at improving sleep quality.

Melatonin Dosage.


Research studies reveal that melatonin can be used effectively for the treatment of cancer, immune disorders, cardiovascular diseases, depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), Circadian rhythm sleep disorders and sexual dysfunction, as well as ameliorate circadian misalignment and SAD.


At present, there are no concrete dosage guidelines related to melatonin that have been accepted and adopted across the supplement industry.  However, the most common doses available at the drug store range from melatonin 3 to 5 mg and are intended to be used once per day, right before sleep. Currently there is no government or FDA approved dose for melatonin, but melatonin overdose should be avoided. One can start with the smallest dosage and only increase it after continued consultations with a physician.

Most sleep disorders and insomnia treatments are not intended to be taken on a long term basis; melatonin for insomnia is no different. It is recommended that you only take it when it is absolutely necessary and that you avoid overusing it as your body might build up an immunity, which forces you to take larger doses for it to remain effective. For many people, a few weeks on melatonin is enough to establish a strong circadian rhythm that will hold even after melatonin usage is discontinued.

Melatonin is considered an herbal or natural supplement and as such it does not go through the rigorous testing and trials that FDA performs on prescription drugs. Though melatonin and sleep seems to present a perfect ´cure and disorder´ picture, you need to be absolutely careful and sure that you trust the manufacturer of the supplement you are taking.  Always look for the symbol "USP" as these identifies products that have been independently tested and ´certified´ that the correct ingredients and quantities were used. You can go for liquid melatonin, if you are among those who cannot swallow tablets.

Melatonin Side-Effects.

There are some side effects of melatonin that are introduced by melatonin usage. Well, some of these side effects of taking melatonin include nausea and vomiting, dizziness and abdomen pain. The tougher ones may include withdrawal symptoms and depression. Reproduction is also known to suffer owing to its use and also the urge towards sex is diminished.

Melatonin is a great supplement but you should always talk to your doctor or physician before taking any supplements, medicines or OTC drugs. With the advent of the Internet, ´where to buy melatonin´ is no longer a difficult question to answer. You can buy melatonin from this drugstore as they sell vitamins and supplements.

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