Melatonin may have an antidepressant effect by increasing the expression of GABAA receptors in the rat brain. Melatonin also increases neuroplasticity in the hippocampus, which plays an important role in the development of depression.
Is long-term melatonin use safe? There aren't enough studies to say whether long-term melatonin use in adults or children is safe. A few clinical trials suggest that long-term melatonin use may cause mild side effects compared to placebo (a pill with no medication in it).
Melatonin is well-known for improving sleep in some people. Numerous studies show that it can also improve memory and may be a potential adjuvant intervention for neurological disorders including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. It can be part of a nightly regimen to help protect the aging brain.
The current clinical consensus is that daily melatonin consumption is considered safe. However, according to a 2020 article published in Antioxidants, more research is needed to determine the correct dose and time and understand potential long-term effects.
Mood changes have been reported, both highs and lows, and even psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and paranoia. Persons with major depression or psychotic disorders should consult with the health care professional providing care for the underlying disorder before using melatonin.
The practice of taking melatonin supplements causes one's long-term potentiation to be inhibited to a greater degree than it would be under normal conditions and can significantly impact one's learning and memory.
Some studies suggest that it may also reduce certain types of anxiety. Melatonin, a naturally occurring hormone, helps regulate sleep and promote the healthy functioning of your body's internal clock. Some studies suggest that it may also reduce certain types of anxiety.
Regardless of whether it truly helps with sleep or not, Dr. Ramkissoon doesn't recommend taking melatonin long-term. "Namely, because if you think you need to take melatonin every night to get to sleep, we need to understand why that's the case," explains Dr. Ramkissoon.
There is some evidence that this treatment does improve sleep quality in people with Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease but so far evidence suggests melatonin does not affect risk of dementia or cognitive function. Please consult your GP before making any decisions about taking sleep medication.
Melatonin's target sites are both central and peripheral. Binding sites have been found in many areas of the brain, including the pars tuberalis and hypothalamus, but also in the cells of the immune system, gonads, kidney, and the cardiovascular system (39, 40).
"Melatonin is generally thought to be safer to use than other sleep medications and less likely to cause side effects such as daytime grogginess the next day. That being said, taking too much and taking it too late at night or in the middle of the night might cause its effects to linger into the next day," says Axe.
Much of the research has focused on the effects of taking melatonin for only a short period of time. Further research is needed, but the available evidence suggests that melatonin is generally safe for adults when used for up to three months.
Expired melatonin is not harmful to the body, but it may be less effective. Melatonin typically has a shelf life of one to three years, but this can vary based on variables such as how it's stored and what delivery form is being used.
Melatonin should only be taken for a maximum of 13 weeks to treat short-term sleep problems in adults, but longer courses may be used on the advice of a specialist.
If you've been drinking alcohol, it's also not safe to take melatonin. Melatonin is also not for you if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. Researchers simply don't have enough data to know if it's safe for fetuses or breastfed babies.
Magnesium supplements are perhaps one of the most popular melatonin alternatives; for good reason. Magnesium is an essential trace mineral found in various amounts in many foods. As a dietary mineral, its key role is in enzyme reactions.
Melatonin supplements are commonly used for sleep problems. There's no evidence that melatonin is harmful to your heart, liver, or kidneys when taken as directed. But it can lower blood pressure and make bleeding more likely, especially if you take other blood pressure or blood-thinning medications.
A 2017 study indicated melatonin as an effective and safe option for treating people with anxiety following acute coronary syndrome (ACS). A 2018 study found that the administration of melatonin was more effective in improving anxiety and sleeping patterns than the drug oxazepam in people undergoing heart surgery.
What is a safe melatonin dose? According to Michael Grandner, director of the Sleep and Health Research Program at the University of Arizona, “melatonin is very safe if taken in normal doses,” which is anything between 0.5 mg and 5 mg.
Taking too much melatonin can actually cause rebound insomnia —either rendering the supplement ineffective or worse, exacerbating your already sleepless nights further. You only need tiny doses of melatonin to support your natural sleep cycle.
There is no evidence that you can become physically dependent on the supplement, and you typically won't develop withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking it. But if you've become convinced that taking melatonin is crucial for sleep, experts say, you still may struggle to kick the habit.
Cortisol may be best known as the body's stress hormone, but it also plays a pivotal role in managing our sleep “architecture.” Studies of circadian rhythm — your 24-hour body clock — have shown that cortisol levels naturally begin to increase between 2 and 3 a.m. If you're already stressed or anxious, and your ...