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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Excessive Intake Of Melatonin Sleep Aid Supplement Harmful To One's Health In The Long Run?

I m taking melatonin as I have had insomnia for several months. I take 6 mg before falling alseep, after rising to use the bathroom I cannot return to sleep for a few hours. I took a third melatonin last night at 2:30 am so that I could get back to sleep. It worked. But now I am wondering if this is too much and if long term use is not good for me. Thank you!
Mon, 24 Sep 2018
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,

Short answer:

Melatonin is only a short-term solution to insomnia.

Detailed answer:

You should not use melatonin on regular basis as your body will get used to it and it will not work anymore. In this case, melatonin will worsen your insomnia, instead of fixing it. It could sound a good solution at the beginning, but it is not a definite solution.

Furthermore, you are already taking a very high amount of melatonin (6 mg) when the recommended dose is between 0.3-1 mg. This shows that your body has already adapted to melatonin and will require higher doses to sleep in the future.

Instead, try this for sleeping; concentrate your mind on something that is of interest for you, for example listening carefully to a Television program (history, movie, et cetera) with eyes closed. Keep your attention to what is being said and you will see that in 10-15-20 minutes you will fall asleep.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Ervin Toçi
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Is Excessive Intake Of Melatonin Sleep Aid Supplement Harmful To One's Health In The Long Run?

Hello, Short answer: Melatonin is only a short-term solution to insomnia. Detailed answer: You should not use melatonin on regular basis as your body will get used to it and it will not work anymore. In this case, melatonin will worsen your insomnia, instead of fixing it. It could sound a good solution at the beginning, but it is not a definite solution. Furthermore, you are already taking a very high amount of melatonin (6 mg) when the recommended dose is between 0.3-1 mg. This shows that your body has already adapted to melatonin and will require higher doses to sleep in the future. Instead, try this for sleeping; concentrate your mind on something that is of interest for you, for example listening carefully to a Television program (history, movie, et cetera) with eyes closed. Keep your attention to what is being said and you will see that in 10-15-20 minutes you will fall asleep. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Ervin Toçi