Can too much melatonin make you sick?

You’ve had a long day, and it’s time for you to hit the hay. But before dozing off, you take a melatonin supplement to help lull you into slumberland. However, after waking up feeling groggy and nauseous (1), you might be asking yourself: can too much melatonin make me sick? The answer is yes! In this article, we’ll explore how excessive use of this popular sleep aid can lead to adverse effects.

What is Melatonin?

Melatonin is a hormone produced by your body’s pineal gland. It plays an essential role in regulating your sleep-wake cycle or circadian rhythm (2) -the physical, mental and behavioral changes that follow the 24-hour clock of natural light exposure cycles. Normally, When darkness begins to fall at night- around 9 p.m., your brain starts releasing more melatonin than when you woke up in the morning (around 6a.m.). Artificial light like blue light from electronics also inhibit production of this hormone which eventually can disrupt our sleep patterns.

How Does Melatonin Work?

When released into the bloodstream via pineal gland secretion , hormones travel through various cells carried along with blood vessels until they reach one specific cell type where they act on surface receptors inducing certain physiological effect within that particular cell upon binding (3) . Therefore when exogenous extra melationin taken in tablet form works similarily entering our bloodstream reaching cells similarly as endogenous ones but without any synchronization with our natural rhythms.

In short-term usage situation such as jet lag or working conditions putting your schedule outt sync may have benefits but taking these tablets routinely trying changing ‘endogenous’ release can cause harm!

How Much Melatonin Should You Take?

The amount of melatonin supplementation depends on several factors including age,height weightbody habits,(4)and sleep disorders. A healthy adult seeking aid to fall asleep generally takes 2mg up to 10mg maximum while they normally secrete between 0.5 and1 mg naturally (5,6). Dosage beyond this threshold is not considered safe or tolerable.

What Happens When You Take Too Much Melatonin?

Melatonin use in excess can produce unpleasant side effects including:

Nausea

Feeling nauseous after taking high doses of melatonin may be a common experience for some (7) among other health conditions that worsen with nausea stress food allergies intolerance etc..

Especially true with overdozed, crushed or chewed versions as fast absorption makes the levels sudden thus overwhelming your body’s processing abilities.

To mitigate its nauseating effect take lower doses or go consult medics if you have persistent digestive issues even after adjusting it!

Headaches

Overdosing on melatonin can cause an individual headache both in short-term and long term due systemic malfunctions (8) also mild migraines sensitivity are probable

### Dizziness

Due excessive circulatory stimulation and acute inflammation that affects balance centers of our central nervous system ,taking too much supplement eventually results either increased dizziness at usual dosage especially discomforting during one’s waking hours following more sleep-induced headiness upon wake!!

Depression

Research directly linking depression and melatonin use was neither firm nor consistent.However, mood fluctuations irritability unrelenting negative emotions might commonly follow intensive usage later leading into psychological problems (9)

## Can Melatonin Overdose Kill You?

Possible prolonged exposure to unnecessarily extremely large supplemental amounts (this could be around >20mgs); May push physiological systems to unsustainable energy expenditure ultimately increasing susceptibility harmful internal injuries cardio-vascular diseases metabolic disorders hormonal cuts offs unsafe blood sugar levels etc.. (10).

## Tips For Safe Use Of Melatonin

  • Always consult with healthcare professionals before taking melatonin supplements especially if pregnant, nursing or on regular medication.

  • Start low and go slow – meaning take the lowest dose that provides efficacy i.e., facilitates normal sleep-time routine accordingly then slowly increase chances of resisting its effects without incurring harmful side-effects.

Liquid preparations are absorbed faster hence avoid them.

Alternatives to Melatonin

Rather than blindly relying (11) only too much over-the-counter sleep aids like melatonin, there are numerous other remedies including:

  • Creating a consistent pre-sleep ritual
  • Keeping your bedroom cool, quiet and dark,
  • Avoiding screens and electronic devices around bedtime;
  • Cutting back late-night consumption of caffeine- containing foodstuffs

Conclusion

While melatonin prepares our body for slumber which is great when used responsibly but can turn into havoc upon chronic abuse. While it’s essential for regulating one’s circadian rhythm disordered schedules will not be adjusted unless you consider establishing alternative strategies modifying your lifestyle healthy living practices supplement regimes optimizing metabolic efficiency adapting behavior maintaining good mental & physical health overall . So appropriate supplementation alongside other conservative options should always be consulted with physicians preferably after a proper diagnosis have been conducted to ensure maximally efficient under full medical guidance!

Remember: A well-rested mind is a bright mind so don’t sacrifice long-term scientific benefits rapid short term results dreams!

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