Is it safe taking melatonin?

Question

ive been having sleep troubles, and my friend suggested that i should take melatonin to help me sleep

i just want to know if theres any side effects or anything i should be aware of before taking the medicine

Answer 1

What is melatonin?

Melatonin is a hormone produced in the pineal gland, a small gland in the brain, that helps regulate sleep and wake cycles. Very small amounts of melatonin are found in foods such as meats, grains, fruits, and vegetables. It is also available as a dietary supplement, though it has no known nutritional value.

What does natural melatonin do in the body?

Your body has its own internal clock that helps regulate your natural cycle of sleeping and waking hours (or circadian rhythm) in part by controlling the production of melatonin. Normally, melatonin levels begin to rise in the mid- to late evening, remain high for most of the night, and then decline in the early morning hours.

Natural melatonin production is partly affected by light. During the shorter days of the winter months, melatonin production may start earlier or, more often, later. This change can lead to symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), or winter depression.1

Natural melatonin levels decline gradually with age. Some older adults produce very small amounts of melatonin or none at all.

Why is melatonin used as a dietary supplement?

Melatonin dietary supplements are sometimes used to treat jet lag or sleep problems (insomnia). Scientists are also looking at other possible effective uses for melatonin, including:

    * Treating seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

    * Helping regulate sleep for people who work evenings or nights.

    * Preventing or reducing problems with sleeping or confusion after surgery.

    * Reducing the side effects of some antipsychotic medications used to treat schizophrenia.

    * Reducing or preventing chronic cluster headaches.

More on Melatonin in this link.

http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/tc/...

/rhy