You have probably heard that you should not overdose on melatonin.
While it is true that melatonin can be dangerous if taken in excess, it is also true that it can cause a multitude of other health problems if it is ingested at too high of a dose. The question remains, how does one overdose on melatonin?
As a rule of thumb, the safest dose is none at all. It is better to begin with the least amount possible. Once your body adjusts to the low-doses, you can gradually increase your dose as needed. This may mean increasing your dosage by only a half of a milligram or by as little as five percent.
While many people think that they can overdose on melatonin, it is actually the amount of time you are exposed to the drug that causes the problem.
When you are lying in bed, or when you are in a lighted room, the level of melatonin in your system is at its lowest. So, when you take a sleep aid such as melatonin, the dosage increases significantly until you get up.
So in theory, if you stay up all night, the dosage may not be very high at all. But there is no limit to the amount of time you can stay up and be exposed to a higher dosage. And as mentioned, you may be taking a sleep aid at night or in the day. In this case, it is impossible to tell what dosage would be dangerous without testing the dosage.
But this is not necessarily a cause of drug addiction.
A small amount of drugs, including melatonin, cause people to feel more awake and alert than normal, and they do not necessarily become addicted. But even in the case of addiction, it would still be best to reduce your dose.
On the other hand, if you have a strong case of drug addiction, such as prescription painkillers, you may want to discuss your options with a doctor. Because melatonin works through the same system that produces opiates and antidepressants, you may want to avoid using these medications to combat the side effects of melatonin.
If you take low doses of melatonin, it may be hard to tell what dosage would be dangerous. That is why the best thing to do is simply to take as much as your body can tolerate. Then slowly increase the dosage to keep the melatonin level in check.
One way to find out what dosage is safe for you is to read all the information that you can about melatonin before you begin taking it.
Once you know that, you will know how much melatonin to take and how to measure the amount you take.
Since this is a chemical that can produce some interesting side effects, you should talk with your doctor about possible side effects. Also, if you take any medication that contains caffeine, make sure that you read the label first.
Melatonin is a substance produced naturally by the body. Although many of us have been exposed to it in small amounts, it is generally harmless.
But if you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, it can make a big difference in your life. So make sure that you discuss your options with your doctor and try to find out what might be causing the problem. If you do decide to use melatonin for sleep problems, don’t forget to follow your doctor’s orders.
If you think that you need more melatonin, talk to your doctor about taking it. It might just be the answer to your sleepless nights.