{"id":6934,"date":"2020-10-01T11:45:35","date_gmt":"2020-10-01T18:45:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zomasleep.com\/blog\/?p=6934"},"modified":"2024-03-31T09:59:45","modified_gmt":"2024-03-31T16:59:45","slug":"melatonin-overdose","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/healthysleep.org\/sleep-resources\/melatonin-overdose\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00a0Can You Overdose on Melatonin?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Melatonin is one of the most popular sleep aid supplements on the market today. This product earns the companies that sell it over $425 million a year<\/a>. But the question remains: is it safe?<\/p>\n

To answer that question, we first have to look at what exactly melatonin is. Melatonin is a natural hormone created and released by the pineal gland. Corresponding melatonin receptors absorb it from the bloodstream to regulate the circadian rhythm (the body\u2019s internal clock<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Sometimes, the body has trouble maintaining proper melatonin levels. This can be due to a number of factors<\/a> like jet lag, bright artificial lighting at night, and blue lights from screens. It’s also caused by some diseases like type 2 diabetes, sleep disorders, mood disorders, or certain cancers.<\/p>\n

Further, insomnia is one of the most common ailments<\/a> in the US. Many Americans are chronically sleep-deprived and looking for solutions. All this leads many to turn to medications and supplements for relief.<\/p>\n

The number of melatonin users in America has exploded in recent years. Over 3.5 million<\/a> Americans used melatonin in 2019, and that figure is growing every year. Marketers flaunt the safety of their products. But the evidence doesn\u2019t back these claims. Unlike your daily multivitamin, melatonin is a powerful hormone that has significant impacts on the body. This means its safety isn’t guaranteed no matter its dosage.<\/p>\n

Unwanted Side Effects of Melatonin<\/h2>\n

Melatonin is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for any use. Instead, it is classified as a dietary supplement<\/a>. Its ingredients are not subject to very stringent quality controls. Labels are often inaccurate<\/a> because of this lack of oversight. This leads people to take overly large doses of melatonin, which can sometimes sicken them<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This hormone is so potent it’s only available through prescription<\/a> in many countries. Yet it\u2019s in the vitamin aisle in just about every pharmacy and grocery store in the US. This can deceive consumers into thinking this drug is harmless when it\u2019s anything but.<\/p>\n

The side effects<\/a> of taking melatonin in any dose can range from mild to severe. They include:<\/p>\n