Melatonin

[wackyjacky1]

I used to take it fairly often (3 mg) because I have to go to bed so early, usually around 7:30 p.m. I find it very helpful and haven't had any problems with side effects or drug interactions.

I recently started taking levothyroxine for low thyroid function and haven't taken melatonin since then. I think there's something on the bottle about not using it if you have thyroid issues. I need to ask my doctor about that.

We also give it to the dogs when a storm is brewing. It helps chill them out (they tend to freak at thunderstorms).

[SLash]

FWIW: The publication, Bottom Line Personal, had some interesting information on how to take Melatonin. It said, Melatonin should not be taken as a sleeping pill, i.e., 30-45 minutes before bedtime, because by that hour the brain has already started to produce the hormone and the additional amount will have little effect. They recommend taking a very small amount of melatonin 0.25mg 5 hours before your desired bedtime to give it time to work. It also said that after taking melatonin you should remain in dim, indoor light because bright or flourescent light reverses the effect.

Don't know if it will work better taking it this way but thought I would pass it on.

[violetpurl]

I take it nightly - 2 3mg tablets, per my Drs. recommendation. I can tell a difference if I miss a dose. It enables me to sleep through the night and calms my racing mind when I'm stressed.

[WindingRoad]

I have used Melatonin in the past when I was extremely stressed. Having another bout of bad stress and anxiety again and am thinking its time to buy more.

[tctrek]

I have taken it in the past and although it worked to help me get to sleep, I had very, very vivid dreams and nightmares when I took it. Typically, I do not remember my dreams, but on melatonin it was like they were real. Kinda freaked me out and I stopped taking it.

[solobiker]

I have taken it in the past and although it worked to help me get to sleep, I had very, very vivid dreams and nightmares when I took it. Typically, I do not remember my dreams, but on melatonin it was like they were real. Kinda freaked me out and I stopped taking it.

I have a friend that had the same experience. She said she took only 1/2 a tablet and very wild type of dreams.

[badger]

I did some researching after reading some of the posts here. I don't think I'll be taking it anymore.

Instead, I'll be taking magnesium.

I took it when I was getting a constant lump-in-the-throat feeling. I noticed then that I slept really when when I took it so I'll go back to taking that.

Failing that, I also found GABA quite helpful in calming the mind (and lessening headaches as it relaxes tension).

I actually have quite a few little secrets up my sleeve when it comes to sleep (valerian/hops/L-theanine/Relora, etc).

[lph]

They recommend taking a very small amount of melatonin 0.25mg 5 hours before your desired bedtime to give it time to work. It also said that after taking melatonin you should remain in dim, indoor light because bright or flourescent light reverses the effect.

Now this is very interesting. As I've mentioned I feel that I can fall asleep and sleep heavily, but my body doesn't always seem to "know" when is the right period to shut down. (2 am until 10 am is the wrong period...) And sometimes no amount of herbal tea and reading before bed and this that or the other will get me to the appropriate "slump" to fall asleep.

It sounds like I should be giving a little thought to what I do as much as 5 hours before bedtime. Interesting. I've already completely cut out coffee after 3 pm, and in general reduced to 2 cups a day, which helps.

[OakLeaf]

FWIW, when I used to drink coffee, even though I drank a fairly large amount (2-4 cups per day), if I had any after noon I'd be up all night.

[SLash]

Now this is very interesting. As I've mentioned I feel that I can fall asleep and sleep heavily, but my body doesn't always seem to "know" when is the right period to shut down. (2 am until 10 am is the wrong period...) And sometimes no amount of herbal tea and reading before bed and this that or the other will get me to the appropriate "slump" to fall asleep.

It sounds like I should be giving a little thought to what I do as much as 5 hours before bedtime. Interesting. I've already completely cut out coffee after 3 pm, and in general reduced to 2 cups a day, which helps.

I agree, melatonin seems to be more about resetting your nighttime clock/circadian rhythm rather than as a sleep aid. If you are interested, this website has very good information on melatonin: www.talkaboutsleep/melatonin

[snapdragen]

If you can get past the dirty socks smell, Valerian always worked well for me. Melatonin gave me wild dreams.