Melatonin is a hormone that is made by the body within the Pineal Gland, which is located in the brain, and this hormone is responsible for your sleep cycles. The amount of Melatonin that is produced by the body is controlled by your internal body clock and hence, melatonin levels rise in the evening and drop in the morning. It is also important to note that the production of Melatonin is light sensitive and that is why it is often recommended to switch off all the lights and electronic devices before bed.
Apart from your body’s natural production, Melatonin can also be found in supplement form. As we get older, Melatonin production goes down and this is where supplementation can come handy. It is also quite commonly used to treat jet lag, some forms of insomnia and other sleeping disorders.
Unlike prescription pills, supplementing with Melatonin is completely natural and has been found safe for consumption within the recommended dosage range. It is not directy responsible for putting you to sleep but rather, it acts as a relaxant and adjusts the body’s sleep/wake cycles allowing you to fall in to a natural deep sleep.
Sleep Aid by Premium Powders is a great supplement to try if you are having sleep difficulties as it provides you with a healthy 5mg dose of Melatonin along with a few other ingredients that have been proven to provide deep restful sleep, such as Valerian root and GABA.
Dosage/Side Effects
Common dosages of Melatonin range from 1-10mg, however, these vary by individuals and it is always best to start with the lowest dose, assess your tolerance and only then work your way up.
There are some side-effects related to Melatonin but none of these are in anyway, dangerous. They are more an annoyance than a side-effect as these can include: vivid dreams, nightmares, sluggishness upon waking and irritability.
If you have a medical condition are pregnant or are taking prescription medicine, please consult your doctor before using Melatonin as it is known to interfere with certain medications. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery after consuming Melatonin supplements.
Other Uses
Apart from its ability to promote better sleep, Melatonin has also been studied for some of its other benefits, such as: reducing chronic headaches, reducing symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, treating tinnitus, regulating cholesterol and increasing gall stone mobility. However, research on these is limited so don’t try to self-medicate until you have done all the research.
Be safe…good night!