Thread: Melatonin

Hi Pocker

First, don't eat or drink anything with caffeen in it after 4pm in the afternoon - I've just discovered it makes all the difference. Aparantly the caffeen doesn't leave your system in time so even if you do manage to fall asleep, you won't be able to sleep deeply and for as long as you need to.

As for Melatonin, our bodies produce this naturally but some people may not produce enough of it. I tried to get some a while ago because I hadn't slept a proper deep sleep through the night for years, but I was told it's not sold over the counter here in the UK. I was going to order it online from the USA, but then I found Paths which increases the body's own Melatonin production, so I never did buy it.

I would say try no caffeen (remember tea and coke have caffeen in them as well as chocolate and coffee) after 4pm first, and see if that helps. You may not need extra Melatonin.

I use melatonin on a regular basis, it just helps put me at ease, but ever since I started meditating right before sleeping, I found that the meditation is enough for me to go to sleep. Have to admit, I just like the melatonin, I mean I take it, and right away I will start meditating, and its easier for me to meditate because it just completly relaxes you. And I used to have trouble sleeping too, but it was just because my brain would never slow down and let me sleep. Ever since I started using melatonin, I havent had any problems. However this stuff does work pretty quickly man, so make sure you are in your house ready to go to sleep when you take it. I prefer the dissolvable tablets instead of anything. I find that by drinking any liquid or eating anything within 2 hours of sleeping, it throws me off and keeps me up.

What helps one person might not help another. Melatonin doesn't effect me at all. I agree you need to look closer at what is causing you not to be able to sleep.

My friend told me about this..he said you'd have a LD every night you take it. But can it like, mess up your body? and also I don't think my mom would be too keen on buying it for me. Is there anyway I could get it?

I downed half a bottle of red wine (source of melatonin), and I slept like a baby. No DR though. Jus' saying.

Is melatonin like a pharmecutical drug?

Originally Posted by Axel

Is melatonin like a pharmecutical drug?

Exactly what I would like to know. I'm getting some if it is, as I am too young to drink wine... Legally anyway.

Originally Posted by Axel

Is melatonin like a pharmecutical drug?

Melatonin: Melatonin regulates the physiological changes related by light, the time of day, etc. in co-relation with the suprachiasmatic nucleus. Melatonin pills will immediately inhibit monoamine oxidizers (MAO) which inhibit the production of serotonin which produces melatonin from the pineal gland which is then secreted into the blood stream. Soo, by taking melatonin pills, you kind of skip the process of secretion from the pineal gland and the whole physiological change from serotonin (since melatonin is excreted from serotonin).

The effects can sometimes take a while depending on the individuals serotonin levels within the digestive tract (there are strong levels of serotonin within the digestive tract to begin with too... alcoholics will be easy to adjust). Since during sleep the levels of melatonin increase dramatically during the waking stage with the arousal of the ascending reticular activation system (A/RAS), by taking melatonin pills, you keep a regular dosage of melatonin throughout sleep without arousal of the ARAS (and waking you up). The amount of acetylcholine is also dramatically reduced during sleep in order to regulate norepinephrine and other neurotransmitters involved with waking state.

Melatonin can be bought throughout America for, usually, less than $20. It is recommended to take only 2-4mg.

Melatonin cannot be purchased in Canada... legally.
^ This is incorrect. As of last year, Melatonin is now legal to buy.

Why was Melatonin illegal?

There was no proof that it did anything. Now there is. It will help reset your circadian rhythym given that you take it at the same time for a couple nights. It is typically the only ingredient in jet-lag adjustment pills. Thus, if you find you cannot find melatonin on its own, just get jet-lag pills; they are the samething with a different case.

Is it safe to take melatonin..?

There is no evidence of any kind to suggest that there is such thing as an "melatonin overdose" and there are no significant consequences to taking large amounts. The more excessive the dose, the simply more drowsy you will feel.

Keep in mind that the FDA does not have an approved overdose report on melatonin and that there is no reason to take excessive amounts.

More importantly, taking melatonin does not immediately warrant lucid dreams.

I hope this has been enlightening.

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