Melatonin is a hormone produced naturally by the body. It’s not technically a sleep hormone, but rather a hormone that tells the body that it’s night time and that it’s time for all the organs to switch into night mode. For this reason, it’s sometimes called the “hormone of darkness,” given the circumstances. Normal, melatonin is secreted from the pineal gland in the brain shortly following sunset and throughout the night. It links your circadian clock and the timing of your sleep to the natural cycle of the day, however, when you’re exposed to less daylight than usual, or a lot of blue light from phones or other screens in your home. At night, your natural melatonin production may be thrown off. To counter this, supplement companies have created pills and liquid forms of melatonin to help get enough sleep. Can the different ways of taking melatonin daily affect your body, mind, and sleep time? We’ll explain the answer. In the following lines, according to what was published by the “eatingwell” website.
What happens when you take it every night
In adults, effects on physical and mental health can be seen from seven days to months, depending on the dose. Women may also see a different response to melatonin according to their menstrual phase. People with sleep disorders such as insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea may notice other effects of melatonin or experience other effects of melatonin. Side effects such as daytime sleepiness and dizziness, depending on the dose.
You may notice some time lag
When taken at the right dose (For adults, usually 1 to 5 milligrams) at the correct time and in a safe form, you should experience a short time to fall asleep. However, the correct dose of melatonin supplements depends on your age, gender, and health status.
Depending on which type of melatonin pill you take, it will work more immediately or work over the course of the evening, the immediate-release pill will lead to a peak in melatonin within an hour, while the prolonged-release capsules will release melatonin gradually.
You may notice a slight decrease in body temperature
It is important to remember that melatonin does not make us sleep, but rather increases the sending of signals to the brain to create opportunities for sleep. Thus, by taking melatonin, our brain goes into “bedtime mode,” by putting organs into “night mode” and altering blood flow to support the lower body temperature that normally occurs during the night as part of our circadian rhythm, according to the National Institutes of Health, Melatonin may facilitate and support the bodily processes of falling asleep and staying asleep.
You may feel happy
Produced from serotonin, melatonin is a neurotransmitter and hormone that, among other things, promotes positive mood and feelings of happiness. Melatonin also affects the production of dopamine in the brain.
“Dopamine is a neurotransmitter and hormone involved in feelings of happiness and motivation. Thus, melatonin may reduce feelings of anxiety and depression,” says Dr. Weiss.
It may increase your risk of some health problems
Although melatonin is a hormone and not a supplement, it can still have side effects and medical interactions.
For example, some people may experience side effects following taking melatonin, including drowsiness, stomach pain, or dizziness.”
Since supplemental melatonin is relatively new in the grand scheme of human existence, the long-term effects are TBD. A healthy body takes care of the secretion of the hormone melatonin itself, and hormonal balances are very delicate in the human body.
You may start to feel dependent on him
Although melatonin is not thought to be psychologically or physiologically addictive, just like any other sleep aid, it can create the belief or feeling that you need to take it to get a good night’s sleep.
If you notice that you are beginning to worry regarding potential side effects on your sleep if you skip your daily dose, this is a good sign that it may be wise to taper off the melatonin or see your doctor once more.
