The Effects Of Using Melatonin

Melatonin is a hormone secreted at night by the pineal gland. It regulates the sleep-wake cycle, but it also exists, though in smaller quantity, in the gastrointestinal tract as well as in bone marrow cells. Melatonin is primarily known as a natural, over-the-counter sleep aid and is considered safe at 5 milligrams a day, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, you should tell your doctor first if you are considering melatonin, as there can be some considerations, especially for children.

Drug Interactions

Melatonin can interfere with prescription drugs, according to the Mayo Clinic's website. Four categories specifically contraindicated are diabetes medications, immune-suppressants, blood-thinning medications, and birth control pills.

Headaches

Some people complain of headaches, dizziness and confusion. If you experience any of these and you are taking melatonin as a sleep aid, you should stop and report this to your doctor immediately. It also causes a drop in blood pressure in some people.

Sleepwalking

Sleepwalking and nightmares might be other symptoms of melatonin side effects if they started after taking the supplement. Cessation of melatonin most likely will put a stop to this.

Depression

Melatonin might help regulate mood, but this is experimental. It appears that the precursor of melatonin, N-acetylserotonin, can stimulate certain circuits in the brain that are activated by BDNF (brain-derived neurotropic factor). Many believe that a lack of BDNF is the root cause of depression and other neurodegenerative diseases. Keqiang Ye, one of the study's leader and an associate professor of pathology and laboratory medicine, believes that "the molecules and pathways involved in mood regulation and circadian rhythms are intertwined." (Reference 2)

IBS

There is evidence that melatonin has a soothing effect on irritable bowl syndrome by acting as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent. This data has been extrapolated from laboratory research with rats and reported in the "World Journal of Gastroenterology". (Reference 3)