Melatonin Side Effects the Good and the Bad

You are right in checking out melatonin's side effects. You want to try this popular natural sleep aid or have started it for a while; you want to know if you are experiencing some melatonin side effects.

Melatonin is undoubtedly one of the most popular over the counter sleep aids. You will probably be familiar with now about its benefits especially in jet lag and getting your internal body clock back on track. But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. Long-term studies on humans are also not available.

The good news is melatonin is generally regarded as safe in recommended doses for short term use (three months or less) according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Looking at available studies and clinical use, melatonin overall effects are not significantly greater than placebo control group that did not take melatonin. Commonly experienced melatonin side effects include fatigue, dizziness, headache, irritability, and sleepiness, although these effects can occur because of jetlag and not to melatonin itself.

In the context of the overall safety profile, you should still keep a watch out for out-of-the-norm melatonin side effects that have been reported and raised some concerns. These are:

1. Clotting abnormalities (particularly in people taking warfarin)

2. Convulsions

Melatonin may lower seizure threshold and increase the risk of seizures, especially in children with severe neurological disorders. But several other studies actually report reduced incidence of seizure with regular melatonin use. Therefore, this is an area of controversy.

3. Disorientation with overdose

This is accompanied by confusion, sleepwalking, vivid dreams and nightmares. Fortunately, these melatonin side effects often disappear after cessation of melatonin.

4. Mood swings, including dizziness and dysphoria (sadness)

5. Psychotic symptoms

Hallucinations and paranoia are possibly due to an overdose. People with underlying major depression or psychotic disorders taking melatonin should be monitored closely by a doctor or nurse.

6. Hormonal changes

This affects both men and women. For men, increased breast size (gynecomastia), decreased sperm count and decreased sperm motility have been reported. Fortunately, these disappeared after stopping melatonin.

For women, decreases or increases in levels of reproductive have thyroid and growth hormones have been reported. High levels of melatonin during pregnancy may increase risk of developmental disorders. In animal studies melatonin has been detected in breast milk.

7. Elevated blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia)

This melatonin side effect is mainly reported in patients with type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependent diabetes). Low doses of melatonin reduced glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in these cases.

Avoid Melatonin if:

1. They take blood thinners such as warfarin, aspirin or heparin.

2. You have neurological disorders, and antiepileptic

3. You suffer from depression or other psychotic disorders

4. You have diabetes especially Type 1 diabetes

5. You are pregnant or breastfeeding

Overall, not throw out the baby with the bathwater. Always weigh the benefits counter risks of any natural sleep aid. Find not just any doctor but one who is familiar with your health profile to help you weigh the benefits and side effects of melatonin. Remember that with all natural sleep AIDS, not only melatonin; always use them in the short term to solve your sleep problems.