For millions of people, melatonin might be the answer to avoiding another terrible slumber. We know that sleep is highly important to maintaining the health of the entire body and warding off acute and chronic health issues. But what is melatonin? It’s actually a hormone that is responsible for setting our sleep-wake cycle, so long as you have the proper melatonin dosage.
According to new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study, one out of three American adults are not getting enough sleep on a regular basis. (1) At the top of the list for melatonin common uses is definitely assistance when it comes to a good night’s rest as a natural sleep aid. Melatonin is used to treat sleep issues resulting from jet lag or insomnia, and it’s even used to help treat certain cancers. (2) Scientific research has shown that it can benefit cancer patients, specifically those diagnosed with breast or prostate cancer. Those are two hormonally linked cancers so it makes sense that a hormone like melatonin can play a pivotal role in their treatment.
Melatonin is naturally produced by our bodies, but caffeine, alcohol and tobacco use can all lower melatonin levels in the body…
Finish reading: Melatonin Dosage, Melatonin Benefits & Melatonin Cautions – Dr. Axe
FFC Comment: I don’t know what a hormone-linked cancer means, or why it makes sense that a hormone-linked cancer can be treated effectively with a totally different hormone. That’s like saying growth hormones or testosterone or estrogen or progesterone or even thyroid pills ( thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) ) can cure breast or prostate cancer.
Melatonin does however induce sleep – at least in me. It doesn’t create a long sleep, just a quick sleep, especially when taking the chewable tablets. I take 5 mg. before bed. I do wake up in 4 hours, however, and had been taking another pill to get 4 more hours. Two for me is too much, since I’m groggy and discombobulated the next day.
So then I take none. And then I take it every now and then. Everywhere I researched, it said not to be taken long-term. Don’t know the why of that. No research on long-term usage is my guess.
I tried it during the day for my dizziness due to concussion, but it made the feeling like I’m going to fall and the dizziness worse.
For those who want to go to sleep quickly I suggest what everybody else suggests, not more than 5 mg. I’m thinking of trying half the dose and see if it works as well. You can’t cut the 5 mg. chewable tablet in half. But since I bought both types, I’m covered.
Melatonin relaxes smooth muscle, which can be helpful for people who have smooth muscle agitation, anywhere in the body. I have urinary incontinence due to a spinal cord injury and Tarlov cysts, so relaxing my bladder further makes it worse. However, I experienced fewer PVCs (premature ventricular contractions) while taking it.
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