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More and more people are taking melatonin in supplement form to fall asleep, and some are taking it in dangerously high doses, new research has found. Scientists have observed “a significant multiple increase in melatonin consumption over the past few years”. The pandemic may exacerbate this problem, they warn.
- Scientists have noted an increase in the use of melatonin-containing hypnotics in recent years
- Experts warn that the effects of long-term use of melatonin on the body are unknown
- Melatonin is a hormone that can have a negative effect on health, especially when dosages are exceeded or when combined with other medications
- A medical consultation is recommended before taking melatonin
- In drugs, the dose of active ingredients has a pharmacological effect, while in dietary supplements, the dose of ingredients is of a nutritional nature
- You can find more such stories on the TvoiLokony home page
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) of the American Medical Association found that by 2018, Americans were taking more than twice as much melatonin as a decade earlier. «Experts fear that the negative impact of the pandemic on sleep may have exacerbated the problem even further widespread use of sleeping pills »says Rebecca Robbins, sleep specialist at Harvard Medical School.
Consuming sleeping pills permanently, rather than just as needed, can have a detrimental effect on your health. “The use of sleeping pills has been linked in prospective studies with the risk of developing dementia and early mortality” – added the expert.
What is Melatonin? “The hormone of darkness”
Melatonin is a hormone that occurs naturally in the human body. It is called the hormone of darknessbecause it begins to be produced at dusk. Its concentration depends on age and decreases with time. The hormone is mainly produced in the pineal gland of the brain. When the eye signals that night is coming, the production of this organic chemical compound starts. When its concentration reaches a sufficiently high level, we become sleepy. The peak of melatonin concentration in the body in a healthy person is reached after midnight and lasts until 3 am.
Melatonin is a common ingredient in dietary supplements for sleep problems. And here American specialists recommend caution. People suffering from insomnia often use tablets containing melatonin, but it is worth knowing that these readily available supplements can harm the body.
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The truth about the long use of melatonin
Since melatonin is bought over the counter, experts say many people view it as an herbal supplement or vitamin. In fact, melatonin is a hormone. “There is a perception that if it’s natural it won’t hurt,” said Robbins. “The truth is, we don’t know the long-term effects of melatonin on adults and children” – she added.
Taking melatonin should be preceded by a medical consultation. It is the specialist who should determine the indicated dose of melatonin, as well as monitor our health during the treatment. Thanks to this, we will not have to worry whether the taken preparation will not harm our health.
- Also check: The position in which you sleep is of great importance. Find out what that means
Note the combination with serotonin
The expert also emphasizes that you cannot be sure of the purity of melatonin, which is available over the counter. American research has shown that 26 percent melatonin supplements contain serotoninthat is, “a hormone that can have harmful effects even at relatively low levels”.
Taking too much serotonin by combining medications such as antidepressants, migraine medications and those that contain melatonin can lead to adverse reactions. These include chills and diarrhea, and even muscle stiffness, fever and convulsions.
The content of melatonin itself in the tablet is also important. The study showed that since 2006 a small but a growing group of adults are ingesting amounts of melatonin that far exceeds the dose of 5 mg per dayusually used for short-term treatment.
Specialists recommend using melatonin on an ad hoc basis, in the case of a change of time zone, by shift workers and people who have been diagnosed with problems with falling asleep. It is worth reaching for e.g. Sedarel Noc – a dietary supplement for restful sleep containing lavender, hops and lemon balm.
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