It is important to get the right amount of sleep at night. If you are not getting enough rest, it can have a negative impact on your health and performance during the day. One way that people try to combat insomnia or other sleep issues is by taking melatonin supplements. Melatonin is a hormone that promotes sleepiness, but there comes the point when too much will cause side effects such as dizziness and headaches. This article will discuss what happens if you take too much melatonin and why you should be careful with how much you take each night.
What is Melatonin?
It’s a hormone that helps regulate your sleep cycle. It is produced by the pineal gland in your brain and has been around for about 50 million years. You can purchase melatonin wellness products at most pharmacies, grocery stores, or health food stores without a prescription required.
Melatonin does not produce any kind of high or euphoria like some other drugs do, so it’s considered safe to use on an ongoing basis or when you need help getting to sleep.
Can Melatonin Hurt You?
No, it’s actually very safe to take, and the side effects are mild. It is possible that you may experience some nausea or headaches if you accidentally take too much.
What Happens If You Take Too Much Melatonin?
People have reported dizziness, muscle weakness, vomiting, and diarrhea on rare occasions when they’ve taken melatonin supplements in large quantities (more than 100mg). These symptoms will go away as soon as your body gets rid of the excess melatonin from your system.
If someone takes a lot of melatonin by accident, they should drink plenty of water to help with digestion and never use alcohol because both substances can make problems worse. Also, call Poison Control immediately for further instructions – don’t try to make the person vomit on your own.
How Much Melatonin Can I Take?
The general daily dose is between 0.25mg and 20mg, depending on your needs, but you should always start with the smallest amount possible to see how it affects you before taking a lot more. Most melatonin supplements have 50mcg tablets that dissolve under your tongue, so they are easy to take at night without waking up everyone else in your household.
Never use melatonin as a replacement for actual sleep, only as an aid when needed because too much can actually cause problems. The recommended dosage varies from person to person based on their weight and other factors, so be careful about what type of melatonin you buy online or at a local pharmacy – ask a pharmacist if you need help picking out something safe and effective.
Can It Be Addictive?
No, it’s not addictive, and there are no reports of anyone developing a tolerance or addiction from using melatonin supplements for too long. However, suppose you’re suffering from serious sleep issues such as insomnia. In that case, you should speak with your doctor about other alternative treatments that will help you get better rest without any side effects. If you keep taking large doses of melatonin every night, your body could eventually become immune to its effects and won’t fall asleep naturally again.