How many melatonin pills can kill you

But before you pop that second or third pill, it's important to know what happens if you take too much melatonin. First, some background: Melatonin is a hormone that occurs in your body naturally, and while taking too many melatonin supplements won't kill you, it can give you some pretty gnarly side effects, according to Medical News Today. Because dosages vary between supplement brands, and everybody's natural sensitivity to melatonin is different, the threshold where it becomes too much won't be the same for everybody.

A general starter dose might be around. The most surprising side effect of taking too much melatonin is hyperactivity, which is the exact opposite of what you want when you're trying to get to sleep. Taking too much melatonin can also cause crankiness, headaches, dizziness, gastrointestinal problems, joint pain, anxiety, and excessive sleepiness.

If you're new to taking melatonin, Medical News Today recommended starting with the lowest dose to see how it affects you. The National Capital Poison Control Center explained on its website that because melatonin is a supplement and not a medication, it's not regulated by the FDA. If your child is having sleep problems, experts recommend consulting your doctor before giving them melatonin. Our melatonin levels naturally decline as we age , disrupting the sleep-wake cycles for many older adults.

As a result, older adults may have an increased sensitivity to melatonin. In a meta-analysis of 16 studies, melatonin dosages between 0. In all of the studies, the melatonin levels remained higher among the older adults when compared to younger adults and stayed higher for a longer period of time — leading to increased daytime drowsiness.

The more melatonin the person took, the more pronounced these effects. As a result, researchers recommend older adults start with the lowest dose of melatonin possible. Lower doses may help older adults sleep better without disrupting their circadian rhythms and causing prolonged drowsiness. Older adults with dementia should avoid melatonin, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. From there, you can gradually increase your dosage until you find a dose that helps you fall asleep without causing any side effects.

A safe starting dose for adults is between 0. Older adults may find lower doses, starting with 0. Children should not take melatonin unless recommended by a doctor. Over-the-counter melatonin may come in standard amounts like 1 milligram, 3 milligrams, or 5 milligrams. You can use a pill-cutter to cut the tablets in half or quarters to create a smaller starting dose. The best time to take melatonin is about one hour before your bedtime. Your brain naturally increases melatonin production about one hour to two hours before you sleep, so taking melatonin at this time may help facilitate the process.

Melatonin can be effective in relieving jet lag for people who travel across two or more time zones. Adults may take a dose of 0. It is not considered safe to take melatonin with alcohol. Because alcohol can disrupt your sleep quality and your natural melatonin levels , you should avoid mixing melatonin with alcohol.

It is not recommended that you take melatonin with caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant that disrupts your sleep-wake cycle and can affect your natural melatonin production.

While melatonin is generally considered safe, it is possible to take too much. There is no official recommended melatonin dosage, and people can have different sensitivities to melatonin, so finding an appropriate dose can be challenging.

Moreover, because melatonin is not regulated in the U. Studies have found that some melatonin products can have nearly five times as much melatonin as their label claims, or much less. You may feel especially drowsy or groggy. Doses of 10 milligrams or higher can cause side effects like drowsiness and headache.

Other symptoms of melatonin overdose include:. To ensure safe usage , it is always a good idea to consult your doctor before taking any over-the-counter sleep aid , including melatonin.

They know your personal medical history and can best advise you on the appropriate melatonin dosage for your needs. They will also know whether melatonin might interact with any other medications you may currently be taking.

Certain health conditions and medications may increase your risk of side effects when taking melatonin. If you take any of the following medications, be sure to talk to your doctor before taking melatonin:. Additionally, the following types of people may have an increased sensitivity to melatonin, and should avoid taking it before consulting their doctor:. For many people, melatonin offers mild improvements to sleep problems when used on a short-term basis. For others, it may cause side effects or not impact sleep at all.

If you find your sleep problems persist after trying melatonin, it may be time to talk to a doctor. They can recommend other strategies for improving your sleep, such as better sleep hygiene, changes to diet and exercise, or cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia. They can also evaluate other possible causes for your sleep problems. His research and clinical practice focuses on the entire myriad of sleep disorders. Looking for a natural alternative to sleep medications?

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