Melatonin, the harm from which is possible if used improperly, is a hormone produced naturally. It may also be a product of the pharmaceutical industry. The supplement is often used as a sleeping pill. The substance is notable for safety, but excessive popularity aroused well-founded fears among specialists. They are associated mainly with the lack of a sufficient number of laboratory studies regarding the consequences of uncontrolled intake of melatonin, as well as with possible side effects. Further in the article, we consider the features of the hormone and preparations based on synthetic substances, potential harmful effects, as well as ways to naturally increase the production of melatonin in the body.
Melatonin - what is it
Melatonin is a neurohormone that is produced in the brain. With the onset of dusk, its activation begins, which prepares a person for sleep.
Artificially created melatonin is used as a sleeping pill. In a pharmacy, you can buy such drugs without a doctor’s prescription. They help a person not only fall asleep, but also improve the quality and duration of sleep. However, many note that the tool does not turn out to be as effective as the usual sleeping pills.
Not only the body's function is sleep, which is influenced by melatonin. The hormone is necessary for the production of antioxidants to protect the body from aging. In addition, the substance regulates cortisol levels, blood pressure and body temperature, immune and sexual function.
Pharmacy Availability
In Russia and the USA, the Melatonin sleep preparation can be purchased without a prescription. However, in European countries this will be difficult. The medication is usually prescribed for elderly patients who are diagnosed with sleep disturbance. To purchase, you need a prescription.
The hormone in the form of a drug supplement is becoming increasingly popular. Such demand is of concern to specialists because there are no accurate studies of possible side effects.
Negative consequences
Whether the drug “Melatonin” does harm is not fully understood. Several studies have been conducted where the safety of such drugs has been studied. As a result, serious side effects were not detected and no dependence or withdrawal syndrome was detected.
Despite the positive findings, many experts are concerned that artificially produced hormone can affect the production of natural melatonin. In addition, the research results were short-term, which does not give grounds to assert that there are no problems in the future.
However, general unpleasant symptoms were recorded. During admission, patients complained of:
- to excitement;
- headache;
- nausea
- dizziness.
Sleeping pills "Melatonin" is considered relatively safe. In the long term (short-term), it is even allowed to take pills with an increased dosage. But doctors believe that more research is needed to clarify some controversial issues.
The drug "Melatonin" in childhood
Sometimes parents offer melatonin supplements to their children who have difficulty falling asleep. But pediatricians do not approve of this approach because there is no exact data on the safety of using the product in childhood.
European experts consider such drugs a drug that is dispensed only by prescription. Similar medicines are intended for elderly patients.
Drug and drowsiness
Melatonin is necessary for sleeping in the dark. If you use the supplement at another time, unwanted drowsiness is possible. A similar effect is not considered a side effect, but rather a consequence of taking the drug. But you must understand that with the appearance of drowsiness, a decrease in the reaction is possible.
Problems when using the drug "Melatonin"
There are no exact data on the effect of artificial hormone on the body. Nevertheless, several problems were identified:
- Decrease in body temperature. The hormone provokes a slight decrease in body temperature. This does not affect healthy people, but patients who have difficulties with thermoregulation should take this into account.
- Interaction with sleeping pills. If drugs based on melatonin are taken with classic sleeping pills, then side effects increase many times over. At the same time, muscle reactions worsen.
- Blood thinning. Melatonin helps reduce blood clotting. Therefore, before using such products, especially in high doses during treatment with Warfarin, it is necessary to consult a specialist.
Thus, “Melatonin” is a medicine that can interact with other medicines. When using it, it is recommended that you inform your doctor.
Instructions for use of synthetically produced hormone
So that the sleeping pill "Melatonin" does not bring harm, the patient must take it according to the instructions. Since not all drugs are the same, you should carefully study the annotation.
Typically, "Melatonin" dosage has the following:
- Before going to bed, you need to drink 1 to 10 mg of the active substance.
- The optimal amount has not been officially established.
It is important for patients to know that all supplements dispensed at the pharmacy are not controlled by health authorities. Therefore, you should give preference to companies that have proven themselves from the best side.
Contraindications
Melatonin can be harmful. In Russia, doctors tend to attribute the following factors to contraindications for taking sleeping pills:
- pregnancy;
- lactation;
- children and adolescents.
Synthetic, created hormone is known to pass into breast milk. Therefore, it is not recommended to use such sleeping pills for lactating women. Otherwise, the medication can provoke excessive drowsiness and lethargy in infants.
How to improve the quality of sleep
If you increase the natural production of melatonin without the use of additives, you can significantly improve the quality of sleep. Usually, experts recommend a certain ritual:
- for a couple of hours before bedtime, turn off the bright light, use only muted;
- it is advisable to avoid working at a computer, watching TV, using the phone.
It is also worth finding out which foods contain melatonin. To consume them before bedtime.
Natural Melatonin Products
The hormone level can be increased naturally. To do this, you should find out which foods contain melatonin. A high concentration of the synthetic substance in the preparations can be harmful to health. An overdose does not happen if you raise the level of melatonin with the help of a balanced diet.
So the menu is useful to include:
- Tomatoes
- bran bread;
- sweet cherries;
- Pine nuts;
- bananas
- barley;
- carrot;
- corn;
- radish;
- fig.
The amino acid tryptophan also contributes to the formation of the natural hormone. It is found in nuts, legumes, grains, dairy products, poultry and cocoa.
It has been clinically proven that the beneficial properties of products bring their positive effect, but there are no side effects.
It should be remembered that alcohol, caffeine and a lack of carbohydrates in the menu, as well as smoking, significantly lower the level of the hormone in the blood. Therefore, it is necessary to completely abandon bad habits, use chocolate in reasonable doses and drink cocoa to restore sleep quality.
Useful properties of melatonin
The substance is a sleep hormone. It regulates the cycle of rest and wakefulness. Useful properties are based primarily on improving the quality of sleep. Taking the drug helps patients get rid of insomnia, sleep better, and at the same time eliminates the feeling of being broken in the morning
When using a medication containing artificial melatonin, patients note that they often stopped waking up at night and at the same time they get completely rested in the morning. In addition, the medicine is necessary for those people who often change time zones.
However, experts argue that melatonin is not necessary to use as a medicine. It is entirely possible to limit yourself to just getting it from recommended foods. In this case, the risks of an overdose do not arise, and the quality and indicators of sleep improve.
Melatonin Helps Lose Weight
Women often use drugs containing artificial melatonin to lose weight. At the same time, even nutritionists sometimes recommend these biological supplements to their patients. They substantiate their appointment with the following facts:
- quick adjustment of substances;
- control of appetite and restraining the desire to eat fatty and sweet;
- normalization of sleep;
- support in the body of the necessary proportion of body fat.
Melatonin significantly increases heat transfer, and hence the loss of calories. Thus, even in the absence of physical activity, the loss of extra pounds occurs.
To summarize
Many people know why melatonin is needed. Without the production of this hormone, a full sleep is impossible. Laboratory studies have shown that supplements do not cause serious side effects, even if used in high doses. However, most experts believe that evidence is insufficient and additional studies are needed that would reveal the effect of drugs in the long term.
It is always important to consult with a specialist before taking funds to people who are sensitive to all kinds of medicines, pregnant women, nursing women. Children are better off not using the sleeping pill "Melatonin."
Synthetically developed hormone is known to have shown a high level of safety in research. Judging by the reviews, the drug is an effective sleeping pill. However, for those who often have trouble sleeping, it is recommended to try more focused drugs.