{"id":28159,"date":"2021-03-10T07:00:08","date_gmt":"2021-03-10T12:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/restonic.com\/sin-categorizar\/melatonin-good-nights-sleep-9824"},"modified":"2024-03-11T10:40:26","modified_gmt":"2024-03-11T14:40:26","slug":"melatonin-good-nights-sleep-9824","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/restonic.com\/es\/blog-es\/melatonin-good-nights-sleep-9824","title":{"rendered":"Can Melatonin Help You Get the Good Night\u2019s Sleep You\u2019re Craving?"},"content":{"rendered":"

What research says about this popular natural sleep supplement<\/h2>\n

As a sleep-deprived nation, we continue to seek new ways to get the rest we need. Some people have turned to melatonin supplements, a naturally occurring hormone produced in the pineal gland that plays a key role in the biology of sleep, specifically the body\u2019s sleep-wake cycle.<\/p>\n

According to figures from the U.S. Department of Health<\/a>, the number of people who take melatonin as a dietary supplement has been doubling steadily since 2012. Clearly, melatonin has its fans, but the question remains: Does it really work?<\/p>\n

\"CanConsidered a dietary supplement, melatonin<\/a> can be sold without a prescription. What\u2019s more, manufacturers of synthetic melatonin aren\u2019t required to prove their claims \u2013 the supplements industry is largely unregulated by the FDA. Lack of regulation underscores the need for consumers to do their due diligence to get reliable information before they buy \u2013 whether it\u2019s in pill, chewable gummy or liquid form.<\/p>\n

Experts too are weighing in with their thoughts on melatonin\u2019s effectiveness. Michael Grandner, director of the Sleep and Health Research Program at the University of Arizona, offers his views on melatonin. \u201cThe literature is pretty clear that melatonin can be a useful clock shifter, when taken at a low dose, at the right time,\u201d he explains. \u201cBut the literature is also pretty clear that melatonin is relatively useless for insomnia.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also says that there is some evidence that doses of approx. 5 mg at bedtime can help induce sleep, especially in older people. Adults can safely take melatonin, but may be subject to side effects<\/a>. The most common are headaches, daytime sleepiness and dizziness.<\/p>\n

Is it safe to take melatonin?<\/h2>\n

Generally, melatonin is considered safe for adult use, but Grandner has concerns about kids taking it because it is a hormone and could affect puberty. And there may be issues with interactions with prescription and over-the-counter drugs<\/a>, especially for those on antidepressants (SSRIs), some blood pressure medication, blood thinners, cancer-related drugs like tamoxifen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), including ibuprofen. A discussion with your doctor or pharmacist is always a good idea before you start taking something new, even if it\u2019s something sold without a prescription and available over the counter.<\/p>\n

Whether melatonin is effective or not, some people rely on it heavily. \u201cFor people with insomnia<\/a> who use it, it can become psychologically addictive even if it doesn’t work,\u201d says Grandner. \u201cPeople are so desperate for anything to work that they will cling to a solution that they believe is working even if it isn’t.\u201d<\/p>\n

Supplements can work for the sleepless even when they actually don\u2019t. That\u2019s because of the placebo effect \u2013 they\u2019re effective because those who take them truly believe they work. \u201cAny research study needs to plan for 25-50 % of patients responding to a placebo as if it were effective,\u201d he says. \u201cPlacebo effects are a very big deal for all sleep aids.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"CanWhat\u2019s the bottom line for melatonin?<\/h2>\n

Should you take them? Sure, if you have the occasional, mild sleep issue, it\u2019s worth trying. But if you have insomnia, skip melatonin \u2013 it won\u2019t help \u2013 and try a different tactic. Grandner suggests finding a sleep doctor<\/a> who specializes in cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia (CBTI) and can delve deeper into underlying causes of sleeplessness.<\/p>\n

With the popularity of melatonin, you can be sure there will more research forthcoming as scientists investigate its role in everything from improving dementia to its ability to suppress the growth of breast cancer tumors<\/a>. Even though melatonin has been available for more than 30 years, it\u2019s clear that its impact on health is still not fully understood and there\u2019s much to learn.<\/p>\n

Rest well & wake up ready to go!<\/h2>\n

Better sleep gives rise to better mornings, bringing your goals into focus and dreams within reach. Hungry for more sleep info? Dig into these posts:<\/p>\n