Is diarrhea a side effect of melatonin?

Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night feeling tired and groggy, but still unable to fall asleep? Well fear not, because melatonin is here to save the day! This hormone naturally produced by our bodies has become increasingly popular as a sleep aid supplement. However, with any new medication or supplement comes questions about potential side effects.

One such question that has been circulating is whether diarrhea can be a potential side effect of taking melatonin. In this article we will investigate this claim and provide you with all the information you need to know about using melatonin as a sleep aid.

What is Melatonin?

As previously mentioned, melatonin is a hormone that our bodies produce naturally in order to regulate our sleep-wake cycle. The production of melatonin increases at night when it’s dark outside which helps us feel sleepy and ready for bed. During the day, sunlight inhibits production making us feel more awake and alert.

Melatonin supplements are derived from synthetic versions of this natural hormone which are commonly used as an over-the-counter sleep aid.

How does Melatonin Work?

Melatonin works on receptors in areas of your brain responsible for regulating your circadian rhythm (your body’s internal clock). By binding to these receptors it sends signals telling your body it’s time for rest so that you can fall asleep faster.

However, some people may experience unwanted side effects while trying out different remedies like supplements or medications designed to assist with better sleep – including concerns regarding diarrhea being caused by consumption of melatonin. So what’s really going on there?

Can Melatonin Cause Diarrhea?

There have been very few cases reported where oral intake (i.e. pills) resulted in tummy troubles after consuming large quantities weekly (dosages above 10 milligrams per week) – an amount much higher than recommended for most people. In fact, it is rare for melatonin to cause any sort of unwanted side effect in humans.

However, some individuals may be more sensitive to certain ingredients found in different brands of medication and supplements that can contribute towards complications like stomach cramps or the runs (aka diarrhea). These incidents are usually mild and temporary though admittedly no fun at all!

What Are Other Melatonin Side Effects?

While feeling a little less-than-regular may not sound particularly appealing to anyone, there are a few other potential side effects associated with taking melatonin:

• Drowsiness
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Dizziness

Keep in mind these symptoms are generally quite rare – despite this it’s still important speak with your doctor before beginning any new regimen involving medication or supplements.

Overall though, we’ve noticed that melatonin has shown substantial success helping folks acclimate themselves when they experience trouble hitting snooze. While there isn’t an abundance of data on long-term results yet available covering usage patterns over periods longer than six months (this is likely due to its recent innovation as an OTC product) patients have typically experienced positive outcomes from short-term trials using no more than 5 milligrams per week which implies that long term implementation might be just as beneficial if not better (and with fewer risks involved).

Clearly stated: the benefits here seem to outweigh any possibility of pesky tummy troubles developing along the way!

Can Children Take Melatonin?

Melatonin supplementation use among children is controversial because research into its efficacy specifically for minors is questionable; likewise concerns surrounding dosage accuracies suggest pediatric populations should receive professional medical guidance prior attempting self-regulation which could lead to either overdosing or under-dosing scenarios; both being potentially harmful-to-developmental stages throughout childhood.

It’s always good practice consult your healthcare provider regarding what melatonin options would work best for you or others in your life who are struggling with sleep.

What Are the Benefits of Using Melatonin?

The pros here can be give short-shirt, including:

• Improved Insomnia
• Better Quality Sleep
• Reduced Jet Lag

Additionally, research shows that melatonin can help people with serious illnesses which interrupt the body’s natural production system such as cancer and Alzheimer’s reach a more peaceful state at bedtime – enhancing their ability to rest easier while undergoing treatments or recovering from surgeries.

All in all it seems like there is much promise behind this supplement in aiding folks struggling with insomnia fighting for continued shuteye throughout night-time periods when darkness reigns; without too many potential side effects to be deterring you unnecessarily along the way.

The Bottom Line

So whilst diarrhea may technically be considered a possible side effect of consuming incredibly high amounts ov melatonin supplements via pills only under extreme circumstances–it’s really quite uncommon! It appears that risks associated taking these types product strains to get a goodnight’s rest each evening pale-in-comparison compared any negative possibilities (or lack thereof) linked throughout utilizing this hormone-supplemental substance on occasion as required following healthy lifestyle habits endorsed by healthcare professionals worldwide. At worst, moderate-yet-non-serious complications might occur during temporary use-periods where dosages remain within recommended limits – and even then just because you suffer from runners doesn’t mean everyone else will have similar indigestion-fueled troubles too!

Be sure sit down with an expert practitioner before loading up on sleeping aids across-the-board no matter how appealing they may seem initially so you’ll stay ahead-of-the-curve in regards figuring-out what best practices will work perfectly according individual health needs.