The word insomnia itself is a nightmare for plenty out there. A sound sleep is what we thrive for and it is the most important factor that enhances our cognition and functionality. Unfortunately not many in this contemporary world are blessed with a good and healthy late-night sleep. Lack of a healthy sleep cycle is one of the main reasons for the increase in the rate of mental disorders and lifestyle diseases in this contemporary era.
Now let’s discuss a chemical called Melatonin which is secreted by the pineal gland at night. Melatonin is one of the primary factors that affect one’s sleep cycle. Usually, Melatonin is prescribed to patients who suffer from insomnia. If consumed in low doses for a short period, Melatonin is considered a harmless drug. However, be cautious and never misuse these kinds of drugs.
How Long Does Melatonin Take To Work?
Misusing these potentially harmful chemicals can cause catastrophic effects on your health. Side effects of Melatonin include nausea, headache, dizziness, sleeplessness, agitation, anxiety, restlessness, stomach ache, heartburn, etc. During the initial days, Melatonin was noted for its change in skin color in amphibians and reptiles. And later on in 1993, the antioxidant properties of melatonin were discovered.
As discussed earlier, Melatonin is secreted by the pineal gland and is secreted after getting dark, attains its peak point at midnight, starts dropping the levels at dusk, and finally stops during daytime. Melatonin communicates with the receptors in the body to attain a sound sleep, In fact with the receptors inside the brain. In short, Melatonin controls the biological clock inside the body. Some researchers point out other health benefits of Melatonin other than inducing sleep. However, these benefits are not fully understood for the time being. But the effects Melatonin has on circadian rhythms are fully understood and crystal clear.
Melatonin pills may help you to get rid of insomnia, jetlag (disturbance in sleeping cycle while traveling from one time zone into another), sleeping disorders in small children, anxiety occurring during pre-post surgical procedures, etc. Some studies advocate the positive effects Melatonin can generate on cancer patients. However, research is going on and these studies cannot be taken into account before that.
How does Melatonin work in children?
In children, melatonin supplements are considered generally safe, especially for short-term use. But there aren’t many papers published on this area of interest. Some of the Melatonin supplement side effects in children include dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, sleepiness, and sleeplessness. Exposure to bright lights at night can block the Melatonin from communicating with receptors in the brain. That’s why it’s recommended to sleep inside a dark room. In short, the human body is entirely dependant on Melatonin to attain a sound sleep.
If the amount of Melatonin supplied by your body is below the mandatory levels, you will have to take Melatonin supplements orally under the prescription of a registered medical practitioner. The appropriate dose of Melatonin supplements depends on an individual’s health, requirements, body weight, etc. Generally speaking, the ideal dose of Melatonin is anywhere between 1mg to 5 mg. And it is recommended to take it at least one hour before bedtime. It is recommended to start at low doses initially and increase the dosage gradually until the optimum result is achieved.
You should work very closely with your physician while working out on sleep disorders and Melatonin supplements intake. Even though Melatonin is a natural chemical, it should be treated with caution while having it as a supplement to induce sleep and treat insomnia. One should report to the casualty immediately in case of any allergic reactions after using Melatonin supplements. These allergic reactions include rashes, hives, itches, etc. Some studies have found out that Melatonin may trigger seizures and contradicting some studies advocate that Melatonin can suppress seizure disorders.
In this contemporary era, sleeping disorders are common. If your body is not producing natural Melatonin, there is nothing wrong with having Melatonin supplements. But as mentioned above, it should be done with caution by closely working with your family physician who is completely aware of the scenario and your health conditions.