Anyone ever take melatonin?
 

I haven't been able to sleep and I'm about to start taking it tonight. Any crazy side effects or drawbacks?

Sounds like a drug to me.. Is there anyway to avoid it? My advice would be to try to find another solution, but of corse every situation is different. Are you under a lot of stress?

No - no side effects whatsoever. It doesnt make you sleep unless you "want to" (or take a very big dose) - keep on working, drinking coffee or whatever and you will stay awake.

It makes my have great dreams and sleep like a baby .. I use it whn I can't sleep .. I love it ..

Can't sleep, give up coffee and sweets........Drugs have plenty of side effects that your doctor never tells you about.

I used to take it occasionally and it worked really well to help me sleep.

But I started having very vivid dreams, and I didn't like it.

Are there reasons to take it other than to help you sleep?

Melatonin Side Effects

As with all hormonal supplements, there are many different melatonin side effects to contend with which may make this a unwise choice for your condition.

First of all, there have not been adequate clinical trials to prove the saftety of melatonin supplements.

Reported melatonin side effects include headaches, nausea, depression, nightmares and vivid dreams, irritability, abdominal cramps and dizziness.

Melatonin facts also point to negative effects on the reproductive system as well as decreased sex drive in both men and women.

Since melatonin is a hormone, it can affect many internal body processes. Melatonin facts show that those with depression might experience worsening symptoms. Others at a higher risk of developing melatonin side effects are people with liver disease, seizure disorders and high blood pressure.
http://www.herbal-supplements-guide....e-effects.html

Exactly. It WONT knock you out unless you take a lot.

We naturally have Melatonin in our body. Just use a little extra to help you sleep.

Also for me, I get a deeper sleep, wake up less during the night and need LESS sleep than I usually do because of this. I wake up refreshed.

The trick is to find the right amount for you. I'd start with 1/2 a 3mg pill and don't eat 2 hours before it. If that doesn't do much, take the whole pill... but I've been on it for YEARS and I still only take 1/2 a pill.

Again, you will not get knocked out. It will just help you sleep when you lay down. When you start to feel a little sleepy, that is your time to push on (and the sleepy feeling will go away) or if you lay down you will sleep.

I have taken it before. You will sleep like a baby and have very good dreams :)

i have to eat 3 for it to work at all. when it finally does, i wake up every 2 hours wide awake and have to take more. then i have a fat hangover in the am. i have a very fast metabolism so maybe that's the issue. drink a glass of red wine before bed and crash out.

Bingo. I have trouble getting to sleep and staying alseep. I was taking 3mg but, it didn't help much so I upped it to 6mg and it works beautifully.

my son Kas, 12 years old takes MELATONINE 5mg since a couple of months, he sleeps like a baby and is having no problems and/or side effects.
hope this helps.
by doctors order I have to add

I find it sometimes gives me insomnia for a little while when trying to get to sleep. Then it's a much deeper sleep than normal.

Don't take it too long or you'll have trouble sleeping without it.

I just bought a bottle today to try out. I have soooo much trouble sleeping. :(

Works like a charm for me!

Yupp - this is exactly my case.

Anyone know in what countries this can be bought without an RX - U.S.? Here a prescription is needed - basicly because doctors dont want workaholics to overuse it.

Right now I've got a bottle of the 5mg pills. I'm going to take a half (2.5 mg) tonight and see how it works for me.

I've had problems sleeping for the last few weeks. I get a couple of good hours in and then toss and turn and flop around the bed for the rest of the night. I'm just at the point now where I would do anything for one decent night of sleep.

Wine hasn't worked and neither has chamomile tea before bed.

Melatonin is great, but it has to be used properly..... I don't take it more than 2 days in a row, it is more for resetting your schedule.

i use it on long distance flights - works great for me - helps with the time zone changes

I don't take any drugs. I usually read chemistry books/ books and hot milk if I really wanted to go to sleep.

ive taken it before. always had a hard time waking up. besides that it works well

I get maybe 4 hours of sleep if lucky.tried that shit and doesn't do anything for me.I can't stay asleep