Melatonin is both a hormone and a nutritional supplement that is often used to facilitate sleep. The ever-increasing demand for melatonin has given rise to a few worries, even though it has an exceptional record of being risk-free. These concerns are mostly brought up since there hasn’t been enough study done on the substance’s long-term impacts or its far-reaching effects as a hormone.
In this article, the possible adverse consequences of using melatonin supplements discuss.
What is Melatonin?
Melatonin is a hormone that creates naturally by the body to get ready for sleep and to bring on sleep. When it becomes darker outside, this triggers a chemical reaction in the brain that produces this hormone. Melatonin is essential to the maintenance of regular sleep patterns as well as the regulation of other hormones for this same reason.
In addition to having antioxidant characteristics, melatonin is very important in the process of reproduction as well as development. As people become older, their bodies produce less melatonin; therefore, researchers think there may be a connection between the two factors. Melatonin supplements use for a variety of reasons, the most frequent of which is to assist regulate sleep patterns that have become abnormal.
A growing number of people are turning to melatonin supplements because of how advanced contemporary technology has become. It is well known that the backlit displays of our computers, TVs, and cellphones interfere with our bodies’ natural generation of melatonin, leading to a rise in the number of claims of having trouble going asleep.
Melatonin Availability
Melatonin is accessible to purchase without a prescription in the United States. People in Australia who are over the age of 55 have permits to purchase it without a prescription from June 2021.
In contrast, it is a medication that requires a doctor’s prescription in most European nations and only permits usage in older individuals who suffer from sleep disturbances.
The increasing prevalence of its usage has prompted rising worries over the potential adverse consequences it may have.
Does Melatonin have Side Effects?
A few research conduct evaluate whether melatonin is safe to use, but none of them have shown any major adverse effects. In addition, there doesn’t seem to be any risk of becoming dependent on it or experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
There is worry among some medical experts that it may inhibit the body’s normal generation of melatonin. But research conducted over shorter periods implies that there are no such impacts.
Several studies have identified nonspecific symptoms, such as agitation, nausea, headaches, and dizziness. It was not possible to ascribe them to melatonin since they occurred with the same frequency in both the treatment and the placebo groups. However, there is a need for more study on the long-term safety of this substance, particularly in youngsters.
In the next, we will talk about a few minor adverse effects as well as medication interactions.
Side Effects
Melatonin is safe for oral consumption – By most individuals provided that its usage is limited in duration. When used over an extended period, melatonin may not have any adverse effects. Up to two years of usage without incident document. However, it can produce certain adverse effects, such as headaches, drowsiness, nausea, and dizziness. After taking melatonin, you should not operate any heavy equipment or drive for at least four to five hours.
When taken topically (Applied to the skin) – for a limited amount of time, melatonin is probably safe for most adult users.
How to Increase Melatonin Level Naturally?
You may boost your melatonin levels without using any supplements.
Dim all lights at home a couple of hours before night and avoid watching TV or using your computer or smartphone.
Artificial light may suppress melatonin synthesis in the brain, making it more difficult to fall asleep.
You may also improve your sleep-wake cycle by getting lots of natural light throughout the day, particularly in the morning. Stress and shift work are two more variables that have a link to reducing natural melatonin levels.
Common Food Sources for Melatonin:
- Tomato
- Grape
- Walnut
- Virgin Olive Oil (Extra)
Benefits of Melatonin
Melatonin was not identified until the turn of the century, and it is not until roughly 1960 that it links to several health concerns. Melatonin first using a sleep aid 20 years ago, and at the same time; it identifies to be an antioxidant.
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Sleep
A perfect sleep cycle and healthy lifestyle with body testing will help you to increase Melatonin automatically. When taken before bed, melatonin supplementation seems to be quite beneficial in relieving insomnia symptoms. Melatonin may also help with jet lag, resetting the body’s internal clock, and extending irregular working hours, according to research.
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Stomach Ulcers
Stomach (gastric) ulcers are open sores that form on the stomach’s inner lining. The bacteria Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and long-term use of aspirin and other medications are the most prevalent causes of stomach ulcers. In 2011, 15.5 million Americans diagnose, with stomach or intestinal ulcers.
Melatonin, alone or in combination with other treatments, has shown in tests to have a significant preventive effect against ulcers induced by H. pylori or aspirin.
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Depressive Disorders
Depression (sometimes known as clinical depression or severe depressive disorder) is a common but significant mood illness. This disorder produces significant symptoms that impact how you feel, think, and go about your regular routines including sleeping, eating, and working. For a diagnosis of depression to make, the symptoms must have been present for at least two weeks. In any given year, around 6.7 percent of the adult population in the United States suffers from depression.
Melatonin may help with depressive symptoms and raise overall energy levels by regulating sleep and resetting the bio “clock.” Melatonin has also been demonstrated to help with mood swings in studies.
Medication (Drug) Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be careful with these combinations
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Melatonin interacts with birth control tablets (contraceptive medicines)
Birth control pills seem to enhance the amount of melatonin produced by the body. Melatonin may enhance the effects and adverse effects of birth control tablets if used together.
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Melatonin interacts with caffeine
Caffeine has the potential to raise or lower melatonin levels in the body. Caffeine seems to raise melatonin levels when used with melatonin pills.
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Melatonin interacts with fluvoxamine (Luvox)
Melatonin may enhance the effects and adverse effects of fluvoxamine when used together. Fluvoxamine increases the amount of melatonin absorbed by the body.
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Melatonin interacts with diabetic medications (anti-diabetes medicines)
Melatonin has the potential to reduce blood sugar levels. If you use melatonin with diabetic medicine, your blood sugar may drop too low. Keep an eye on your blood sugar.
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Melatonin interacts with immunosuppressive medications (Immunosuppressant)
Melatonin has been shown to boost immune system function. Immune system function may compromise by some medicines, such as those taken after a transplant. When these drugs are used with melatonin, the effects of these medications may be reduced.
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Melatonin interacts with anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications that inhibit blood coagulation
Melatonin helps to prevent blood clotting. May increase the risk of bruising and bleeding when used with drugs that decrease blood coagulation.
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Melatonin interacts with nifedipine GITS (Procardia XL)
Nifedipine GITS is a blood pressure medication. Melatonin might reduce the blood pressure lowering effects of nifedipine GITS.
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Melatonin interacts with sedative drugs (CNS depressants)
Sedative drugs, for example, may make you sleepy and reduce your breathing. Melatonin might make you sleepy and slow your breathing. When melatonin uses sedatives, it might induce respiratory issues and/or excessive tiredness.
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Melatonin interacts with medications altered by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates)
The liver changes and breaks down several drugs. Melatonin may affect how fast certain drugs break down by the liver. This might alter the medication’s effects and side effects.
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Melatonin interacts with medications altered by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) substrates)
The liver changes and breaks down several drugs. Melatonin may affect how fast certain drugs are broken down by the liver. This might alter the medication’s effects and side effects.
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Melatonin interacts with blood pressure medications (antihypertensive medicines)
Melatonin is thought to reduce blood pressure. If you use melatonin with blood pressure drugs, your blood pressure may drop too low. Keep an eye on your blood pressure.
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Anticonvulsant medications (anticonvulsants) interact with Melatonin
Melatonin has a link to an increased risk of seizures. As a result, ingesting melatonin may reduce the effects of anti-seizure drugs. This might make you more susceptible to seizures.
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Melatonin interacts with medications that increase the risk of having a seizure (seizure threshold lowering medicines)
Melatonin may make certain individuals more susceptible to seizures. Some drugs might also make you more susceptible to seizures. Taking these medications together might make you more susceptible to seizures.
Minor Interaction
Watchful for these combinations
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Melatonin interacts with flumazenil
Melatonin’s effects may reduce by flumazenil. Flumazenil may reduce the effectiveness of melatonin supplements when used together.
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Melatonin interacts with medications altered by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) substrates.
The liver changes and breaks down several drugs. Melatonin may affect how fast certain drugs are broken down by the liver thus, the effects and side effects of the medicine may be altered.
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Melatonin interacts with medications altered by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates)
The liver changes and breaks down several drugs. Melatonin may affect how fast certain drugs are broken down by the liver thus, the effects and side effects of the medicine may be altered.
Conclusion
Even at extremely high dosages, melatonin supplements have not been associated with any major negative effects. Most experts believe, however, that additional study into the long-term safety of melatonin requires. Individuals who are sensitive to it, such as youngsters and those who are pregnant, or nursing should seek medical advice before taking it. Despite this, melatonin has a good safety profile and looks to be a good sleep aid. If you have trouble sleeping, it could be worth a shot.
Aside from melatonin, an additional consideration in treating issues like sleep disorders, stomach ulcers, and depressive disorders must be your overall lifestyle. To properly address your lifestyle adjustments, you need to consider adding in a custom diet and workout plan that is built based on your unique genetic code. HealthCodes DNA provides clients with actionable dietary and fitness plans based on these building blocks of life that make us all distinct individuals. With these plans in hand, along with proper melatonin supplementation, you will be able to make the necessary adjustments. Over time, you’ll begin feeling better by achieving healthier lifestyle patterns to increase your longevity.
References
Atli Arnarson. (2022, April 04). Side Effects of Melatonin: What Are the Risks? Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/melatonin-side-effects
Melatonin – Uses, Side Effects, And More. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/: https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-940/melatonin