30-ish. I'll be 38 in May. Either way, I fear insomnia more than supplement dependency.
I think I worry about dependency more that it actually being the case. I've used high doses of melatonin for years and sleep great with it. When you find something that makes you sleep great...you're reluctant to be without it. On more than a few occasions, I have run out and still slept pretty well. I don't worry about dependency too much because our pituataries tend to stop working as we get old...hence elderly folks seldom sleep more than a few hours at a time.
lef.org has great articles on melatonin and its role as a potent antioxidant that regulates neurotransmitters, hormones etc as well as being strongly anti-cancer.
I used between 20-30mg per night most nights. I vary it just to keep my body guessing. If I run out, I use benedryl for a night or two to ween off and I seem to sleep fine. I have noticed over the last few years of use that my moods have become more stable...which is really nice because I used to be a bit bi-polar/depressive.
Its kind of the core of my antiaging regimen and the only negative study I have seen alluded to reduced thyroid function from high dosing, however I don't seem to have experienced this.
At this stage, I'd like to get ahold of some bulk melatonin... both for my use and my cat who has contacted osteosarcoma. Some positive studies showing accelerated aptosis with high dose melaonin.
That is a fair amount of melatonin. 3mg is too heavy for me.I used between 20-30mg per night most nights.
When you find something that makes you sleep great...you're reluctant to be without it.