Is Melatonin a good Sleep Inducer? Sleepy Diaries

Is Melatonin a Good Sleep Inducer? Sleepy Diaries – Part 1

Tossing and turning in bed at night are common among sleepless individuals. If you’ve been trying to adopt the correct position to induce sleep after several rollovers, this blog is for you.

Stress and anxiety were high during the pandemic, which led many people to turn to melatonin to aid in falling asleep. However, does melatonin production and sleep have a positive association?

This blog will explore melatonin’s link with sleeping patterns and whether one needs melatonin supplements.

The importance of sleep and its association with melatonin

Melatonin supplements are typically used to combat a few minor sleep-related problems. The issue may primarily relate to sleep timings. However, this supplement should not be used for people struggling with chronic insomnia as these are serious sleep issues that need proper medical diagnosis and treatment. Similarly, people struggling with dementia may increase their risk of falling or experiencing disorientation at night.

Several people take melatonin at high doses that are potentially harmful. For instance, some people have reported taking 10-milligram doses instead of the recommended two or lesser milligrams. And even these amounts are decided based on the size and weight of a person.

Melatonin doesn’t come without its share of potential side effects. The side effects may include headaches, an upset stomach, and daytime unsteadiness.

It is crucial to note that melatonin is naturally produced in the body. Our brains produce this hormone in response to darkness, for instance, the darkness in a room. It helps adjust our circadian rhythms, our 24-hour internal body clock that regulates our sleep-wake cycle.

So, while sleeping works by slowing down our brain activity to induce sleep, the supplement works by increasing the melatonin levels in our brain. As a result, our brain thinks it is nighttime, making us feel tired and sleepy.

What are the causes of sleeplessness other than low melatonin levels?

After analyzing your case and diagnosing the issue, your doctor may prescribe melatonin supplements. Melatonin levels decline with age, so low production may act as one of the factors leading to sleeplessness. However, low melatonin levels may indicate that you need to visit your doctor for medical advice.

It’s not necessary that low melatonin may be the only reason, as stress and anxiety are one of the leading causes. That said, there are many other reasons why you may be suffering from sleepless nights. So, let’s begin with understanding these factors.

High levels of stress and anxiety – Some people stress over problems or issues that can be dealt with during the daytime. As a result, they sleep with anxiety and wake up to the same feeling. Even though it’s evident that stressing over a matter brings no effective outcome, except for dark undereye circles, it simply can’t be helped until the problem is resolved.

In such a case, a person needs to look towards calming activities, like listening to soft music, meditating, or breathing exercises.

Overthinking – A person doesn’t necessarily have to stress over a matter to overthink it when they can consistently think about their day and repeat! Overthinking is a severe issue that puts the brain in overdrive. The more one puts into this habit, the more sleepless nights.

Eating, drinking habits & other consumption habits – Drinking alcohol, consuming nicotine, other drugs, and caffeine can result in experiencing sleepless nights. Certain medications may also hinder sleeping patterns, which is why it is essential to ask your doctor when to take any dose during the day.

Struggling with physical pain – If you suffer from discomfort or physical pain, falling asleep may be next to impossible. Also, chronic pain, heart and lung diseases can disrupt standard sleep patterns.

While the above do share a comprehensive list of reasons related to sleep issues, having an idea can help you work on a solution specific to the problem.

Can anyone take melatonin to induce sleep?

Not everyone can take melatonin to make sure they sleep soundly at night. Studies reveal how consistently melatonin supplements can negatively impact men’s semen quality and women’s fertility. Furthermore, a melatonin supplement commonly interferes with the effectiveness of other drugs. Therefore, it’s wise to consult your doctor before taking this prescription drug. Similarly, if a woman is trying for pregnancy, she should consult her doctor.

At the same time, if you are prescribed the melatonin supplement, you may be advised to take it two or three hours before bedtime. Also, you have to avoid all blue light devices as this light wavelength suppresses the body’s release of melatonin or its effect. You may use a blue light filter instead or use ambient or yellow light, which helps the body relax and slip into sleep mode.

We hope you have a better idea of melatonin now, and if it would serve its purpose of a good night’s sleep. Remember to consult your doctor if you wish to get started on melatonin.

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November 22, 2022