Melatonin for sleep.

GuitarHero · 03-18-2008, 06:34 AM

So I've been having a lot of trouble sleeping since I started working nights and I can't get to the Dr for another 2 months

I bought some Melatonin (3mg) from Walmart the other night and I've decided to try it as a sleep aid, but I have some questions.

How often can this be taken as a sleep aid?? Since it's a hormone, is it bad to take regularly? Most studies only address use for a few days at a time, so should it only be used maybe once or twice a week so as not to screw with the natural production of the hormone?

Lastly, has anyone else here used it and had any success with it? If so, how long and often did you use it and at what dosage?

TIA -Matt

DefTek · 03-18-2008, 07:08 AM

I take the 5mg tablets when working nights - only way I can stay asleep for more than 6hrs during the daytime. I also take some gaba in a protien shake or some other beverage about 30 minutes before bedtime. I have been doing this for three months and have had no adverse problems from this - I usually take it every other day or so.

**michaelvernon** · 03-18-2008, 07:29 AM

FWIW, I take 3mg every night along with half a unisom tablet. Been doing this for past couple of years and haven't noticed any negative sides. The foundation that promotes life extension has some good info on the benefits of melatonin.

The_Reverend · 03-18-2008, 07:49 AM

Supplementing with melatonin will cause your body to produce less of its own. Its best to cycle it or take it once in a while. You can try taking tryptophan an hour before bed. That always works really well for me and you can take it every night without problems.

Cub · 03-18-2008, 08:49 AM

Or Phenibut. I took 3mg of Melatonin with 1tsp of Phenibut around 7:30pm. I then took another 3mg of Melatonin about an hour ago. It's 11:30pm and I'm pretty out of it right now.

**Cellardude** · 03-18-2008, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cub

Or Phenibut. I took 3mg of Melatonin with 1tsp of Phenibut around 7:30pm. I then took another 3mg of Melatonin about an hour ago. It's 11:30pm and I'm pretty out of it right now.

dude dont tell me your quote was actually quoted from someone. If so that is the saddest person Ive ever seen in my life.

Cub · 03-18-2008, 09:03 AM

Haha! Yes it was. If only they had a steroid that raised your IQ level.

**strategicmove** · 03-18-2008, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Reverend

Supplementing with melatonin will cause your body to produce less of its own...

Not necessarily. Age, lifestyle (including sleeping with lights on), working night shifts, and so on are some variables that ensure your body produces less-than-normal melatonin. Supplementation should definitely be recommended in such cases.

The_Reverend · 03-18-2008, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strategicmove

Not necessarily. Age, lifestyle (including sleeping with lights on), working night shifts, and so on are some variables that ensure your body produces less-than-normal melatonin. Supplementation should definitely be recommended in such cases.

Those are factors as well, but when you take melatonin every night, your body will produce less of its own. That's a proven fact that I've not only read, but heard from my doctor.

**strategicmove** · 03-18-2008, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Reverend

Those are factors as well, but when you take melatonin every night, your body will produce less of its own. That's a proven fact that I've not only read, but heard from my doctor.

Sure, no hassles! Unfortunately, though, a lot of these things depend on whom you ask! There are also medical professionals that insist melatonin is one of the most potent anti-aging and antioxidant compounds in existence, and recommend that it be supplemented daily.

CryingEmo · 03-18-2008, 03:24 PM

Try doing it in cycles.

I cycle 5 days on of 2 powerfulls + 1 3mg melatonin + 1 valerian root cap. I stay up a tiny bit later on the weekends, so I skip taking the stack on Friday and Saturday night.

GuitarHero · 03-18-2008, 07:13 PM

thanks for all the help! I took it yesterday morning, slept great, and woke up refreshed, then this morning I again had no trouble falling asleep and slept sound again, so I think I'm going to try and just take it a couple times a week; maybe every other day.

poison · 03-18-2008, 11:27 PM

try customcapsule's mega sleep aid.

harlan100 · 03-19-2008, 07:36 AM

I have been taking melatonin since i started lifting weights now. i cant sleep without it, i take 3mg and can just about sleep, if i dont take it then there is no sleep for me (well about 3 hours) it annoys me so much.
are there any cures to it?

Cub · 03-19-2008, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harlan100

I have been taking melatonin since i started lifting weights now. i cant sleep without it, i take 3mg and can just about sleep, if i dont take it then there is no sleep for me (well about 3 hours) it annoys me so much.
are there any cures to it?

5 shots of Whiskey.