Does melatonin make you sleepwalk?

If you’re someone who suffers from insomnia, you’ve probably tried everything under the sun to get some decent shut-eye. From fancy silk eye-masks, to “relaxing” meditation music that just ends up stressing your ears out more than anything else-there’s a ton of options available for insomniacs in search of rest. But one possible sleep aid that many people seem to swear by is melatonin.

What is Melatonin?

Melatonin is a hormone naturally produced by the pineal gland-an endocrine gland located in the brain-which controls our sleep-wake cycle. If you’re not familiar with it, don’t worry-you’re definitely not alone! The fact is, most people only really hear about melatonin if they suffer from insomnia or jet lag and are looking for ways to regulate their sleep patterns.

In addition to being produced internally by your body (in particular during the night), melatonin supplements can be purchased over-the-counter at most health food stores/drugstores without a prescription.

How does Melatonin Work?

So how exactly does melatonin actually work? Generally speaking, when darkness falls at night receptors in our eyes send signals through our optic nerve which stimulates a chemical process within the pineal gland leading to an increase in production and secretion of..you guessed it…melatonin!

Essentially then, this hormone causes us to feel sleepy-and thus helps us fall asleep faster and stay asleep throughout the night-to provide those delicious hours of restful wonderment we all so desperately crave!!

Can Melatonin Cause Sleepwalking?

So now that we know what melatonin is and how it works-the big question on everyone’s mind: Is there any chance taking meltonin might cause people to sleepwalk, particularly those individuals who have never experienced automatic behavior before?

For starters-it should be noted that although research has been conducted on the connection between melatonin and sleepwalking, the results have been mixed. Some studies suggest that there is no relationship between taking melatonin and sleepwalking; while others claim that in rare cases it can lead to episodes of automatism (i.e.:involuntary behaviors like walking or eating).

What about other Side Effects of Melatonin?

So we know that melatonin might potentially cause sleepwalking(albeit only in a small percentage of people-and what’s life without the occasional midnight dance anyway?), but are there any other potential side effects one should be wary of when taking this hormone?

As with most over-the-counter supplements-melatonin does come with some possible downsides including nausea, headaches, dizziness, and next-day grogginess. If you’re already prone to feeling sluggish in the morning after a night’s rest-noting the amount/quality of your shut-eye-you may not want to add heavy doses of melatonin into your daily routine!

How much Melantonin should you Take?

If you do decide to take melatonin as a supplement-how much is considered safe? Since theres no FDA-regulatedduh, recommended-safe dosages for adults range from .3 milligrams-.5 milligrams; however some physicians suggest starting out by taking an even smaller dose around .1-to-.2 milligrams.

Is There such thing as too Much Melantonin?

Of course! As we established earlier-everyone responds differently to supplements which meansthat it’s best NOTto assume more=moresleepand instead consult with either-doctor/Nurse/Witch Doctor(voice depending) before deciding how much works best for you!

Since research has failedshort on its ability toxrayexactly how effectively variousdoses work-brains being WEIRD-itsbest nottowearthefirst hatyoudigallyourself.Before you start taking melatonin supplements it is important to talk with your healthcare provider to determine a safe and appropriate dose for your individual needs.

Conclusion

So there you have it! While melatonin may cause sleepwalking in rare cases, the veredict is ultimately still out. However, if you do decided to take melatonin, be sure to follow correct dosage recommendations, monitor any potential side-effects closely, and consult with a doctor or qualified healthcare professional if unsure about how this supplement will affect your overall wellbeing.

Sweet dreams!!

Random Posts