Using Liquid Melatonin For A Good Night’s Sleep
Liquid melatonin products can be found in most health supplement stores and it’s even recommended by doctors for people who have trouble sleeping. And there are good reasons for doing so since melatonin is a hormone that naturally occurs in your body and is closely linked with sleep. If you’ve been having trouble sleeping, then this could be just what the doctor ordered. But first, some basic knowledge is essential.
What is Melatonin for?
Melatonin is an ideal treatment for circadian rhythm sleep disorders and is often taken by insomniacs to help them sleep. A lot of research has been done on the subject and because the results have been positive, their sleep inducing properties are widely accepted. For this to work though, your intake of the liquid has to be appropriate, and timing will also be important.
How Much Dosage Must I Take?
If you look at the various melatonin supplements available, the recommended daily dosage ranges from 1 mg to 10 mg, although doses of as low as 0.1 mg and as high as 20 mg are available too. If it’s your first time to use this supplement, remember that it’s quite safe and available over the counter in many health supplement stores, pharmacies and online.
Some supplements consist solely of melatonin while in others it is compounded numerous times, and still in others it’s added to other ingredients to assist in sleep. Aside from liquid, the hormone is also sold in capsule form in 1 mg to 10 mg.
Here are a few things to keep in mind about the dosage:
- Melatonin products vary in quality and the recommended dosage, so follow the instructions given on the label. Do not assume that the dosage for supplement A will be the same for supplement B
- Liquid melatonin is very safe, and since it’s natural has proven quite effective for circadian rhythm disorders even in low doses
- Because sleep patterns are affected by so many factors, no single “correct” dosage exists, so you’ll need to either follow the supplement instructions or increase the dose incrementally until you find what works. Usually though, low doses will suffice which is why these supplements are developed to meet those specifications.
When Should I Take This Supplement?
This hormone supplement is most effective when taken at the right time because high blood levels at the improper times could negate whatever benefits it will provide. While there’s little actual danger from taking a lot of melatonin, an overdose, along with bad timing, won’t help you get any sleep.
Follow this guide on when to take the supplement:
- If you are having difficulty falling asleep then you should take the supplement at night
- If you don’t have trouble getting to sleep at night but wake up very early, you should take this supplement in the morning
Regardless when you take it, make sure that you get sufficient light exposure opposite the time you take the hormone. So if you’re taking the hormone at night, make sure you’re in a dimly lit environment, and the same thing if you’re going to use it in the morning.
A couple of other reminders:
- If you’re going to take this in the evening to help you sleep, you should take it before going to bed. If you’re dealing with delayed sleep phase syndrome, take it 3 hours before going to bed.
- On the other hand if you fall asleep quickly and wake up early, you probably have advanced sleep phase syndrome and need to take the supplement when you wake up.
Can I Take Melatonin Every Day / Night?
Yes you may take it every day. Unlike other sleeping pills, this hormone isn’t addictive and it’s very safe. Because your body produces this substance naturally, there’s no need to worry about serious side effects or that your body won’t accept it. If the liquid supplement does work for you, feel free to take it every night without worry of getting “hooked” on it.
What Can I Expect from Liquid Melatonin?
Research shows that the hormone is effective not just for circadian rhythm disorder but also when you fall asleep at inappropriate times or just cannot fall asleep. In addition it helps with:
- The hormone helps you deal with jet lag
- Shift work sleep disorder. This is a very common condition that affects people who work on varying shifts.
- Insomnia in older adults. Studies have also shown that these supplements work for young people with sleep disorders too.
- General difficulty getting to sleep at night characterized by tossing and turning
Are There Side Effects?
As has been pointed out above, melatonin doesn’t produce any serious side effects, but very sensitive people may experience the following:
- Stomach cramps
- Chest pain
- Reduced alertness
- Headaches
- Grogginess
- Taste disturbance
Usually these symptoms disappear if you lower the dose and in some cases just disappear on their own after a few days. But if the symptoms don’t go away or you just feel uncomfortable, stop taking the supplement and consult your doctor.
Is There Anything Else I Should Know about This Hormone?
Melatonin is one of the many hormones that are produced in your body. To be more specific, it is produced in your pineal gland in the hypothalamus area of your brain. This hormone is generated from the tryptophan amino acid, and what it does is send signals to your body that you have to go to sleep.
Your body produces this hormone and scatters it in your bloodstream. But due to environment and / or medical disorders, production goes down and drastically affects your sleeping pattern, and that’s what these supplements do, restore the balance so your sleep patterns are restored to normal.
Which Melatonin Product is Most Effective?
Based on reviews and independent clinical tests, the best option right now would be Lunar Sleep. Unlike other sleeping aids, it is 100% natural and contains just the right amount of liquid melatonin so you’ll be able to sleep better and wake up feeling refreshed.
