Melatonin supplements can be beneficial in many ways, but there are also melatonin side effects to be aware of. Melatonin is a hormone produced naturally in the pituitary gland, located in the brain. Some fruits, vegetables, meats, and other foods contain trace amounts of melatonin. Supplements are also available; it is safer to use a synthetic supplement rather than a natural one because the natural form can cause disease as it may be biologically contaminated.

Benefits

Helping you fall asleep and wake up is the main benefit of melatonin. When this hormone is released at higher levels in the body, it triggers the readiness for sleep. During the night, the levels remain high. But as dawn approaches, the melatonin level steadily decreases. This is how a healthy body works, but some people suffer from insomnia because their biological clock, or circadian rhythm, is not working correctly.

The release of melatonin in the body is affected by light. A circadian rhythm sleep disorder could be caused by not getting adequate light during the day and being exposed to too much light at night. Shift workers and people with jet lag often experience a disruption to their normal sleep cycle.

As people age, their bodies produce less melatonin, which causes them to have trouble sleeping.

For these various cases of insomnia, research shows that melatonin can alleviate general symptoms of insomnia. But due to the fact that there are many potential side effects of melatonin supplementation, it’s best to take the hormone as a patient under a doctor’s care, even when used as sleep therapy.

The following are additional benefits provided by melatonin:

• It is an antioxidant, which means it helps prevent cell damage. Ultimately, this function can improve your immune system and reduce the chances of health problems like diabetes and heart disease.
• When added to anticancer drugs, melatonin has been shown to improve survival rates for men with metastatic prostate cancer.
• Research shows that it inhibits the growth of some types of breast cancer cells.
• It can relieve pain and swelling in people with irritable bowel syndrome.
• The enhanced amount of deep restful sleep that melatonin provides may have anti-aging effects on the body.
• Research reveals that it can reduce the frequency of migraines.
• It can be used effectively as an anti-anxiety agent.
• Used topically, melatonin is a natural sunscreen.
• Experimental research provides strong evidence that low melatonin levels lead to relief from depression and seasonal affective disorder.
• This naturally occurring hormone has been found to inhibit ovulation in women. Used in conjunction with other methods of birth control, melatonin can be used as a form of oral contraception. On the other hand, some research has suggested that melatonin may stimulate the reproductive process.
• One of the most notable benefits is that it helps people who work shifts and suffer from jet lag. Switching from working all night to working during the day disrupts the body’s biological clock, and the results include dizziness, fatigue, and confused thinking. Melatonin helps establish normal sleep cycles more quickly, alleviating negative symptoms caused by shift work and jet lag.
• People with Alzheimer’s disease can improve the quality of sleep and possibly delay the harmful effects of the disease.
• Finally, melatonin, since it enhances REM sleep, can lead to improved sleep. People often experience memorable, pleasant, and vivid dreams as a result of melatonin supplementation. The dose taken is an important factor, however.

Common Side Effects of Melatonin

There are many factors to consider regarding taking melatonin supplements. For example, they are not recommended for a woman trying to get pregnant or for a child or adult under the age of 20, unless she is under a doctor’s care.

For the most part, melatonin side effects are temporary and will go away with taking smaller amounts. The most common side effects of melatonin include the following:

• Humor changes
• Headaches
• A disturbance in sleep patterns is one of the side effects of melatonin but sometimes it is one of the benefits
• Changes in mental disposition
• itching
• Low body temperature is one of the most common side effects of melatonin.
• rapid heartbeat
• Weakness
• While having vivid dreams is sometimes one of the welcome side effects of melatonin, dreams are sometimes terrifying nightmares.
• sleepiness during the day

Additional Side Effects of Melatonin

While not as common, there are other side effects of melatonin supplementation. For example, in a medical study among men it was found that melatonin causes sperm concentrations to decrease and the motility rate to decrease significantly as well.

Anyone who has diabetes, kidney disease, stroke, liver disease, depression, or an immune system disorder should only take supplements under the supervision of a doctor due to possible serious side effects of melatonin.

Also, alcohol consumption should be limited because it could increase the risk of worsening melatonin side effects.

Extra caution should be taken not to drive or operate heavy machinery after taking supplements as drowsiness is one of the side effects of melatonin.