Sleeping tablets are a popular treatment for insomnia. They contain manufactured variants of chemicals that are naturally secreted by the brain in order to induce sleep.
Some tablets help you to fall asleep quickly and others help you to stay asleep longer. They are available in a variety of strengths and come as pills or tablets, as well as liquid and injection forms.
What is melatonin?
Melatonin is a hormone made by the pineal gland in the brain that helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle. It's also a potent antioxidant that helps rid the body of harmful free radicals, which are linked to cancer and ageing.
It is found in low concentrations at ages 1-5, peaks during puberty and declines as people get older. It's used to help treat insomnia, delayed sleep phase syndrome and jet lag.
There are many types of melatonin supplements available, both in natural and synthetic forms. Ideally, you should choose a supplement that contains melatonin from the pineal gland, rather than a synthetic one.
The recommended dose of melatonin for adults is 0.5 to 3 milligrams, taken about an hour before going to bed. This can help people fall asleep quickly and sleep deeply. Taking higher doses may cause side effects such as drowsiness and headaches. If you take melatonin regularly, consult with your doctor to avoid side effects and to find the lowest effective dose.
How does melatonin work?
Melatonin helps your body know when to sleep by releasing it in the brain at night. This is controlled by a group of neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in your hypothalamus.
The SCN controls your internal clock, also called a circadian rhythm. During the day, the light from the sun tells your SCN to stop making melatonin.
But in the dark, your SCN sends signals to your pineal gland to produce melatonin. This is why we tend to fall asleep near sunset and arouse before the sun comes up.
In addition, melatonin is an antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage by reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. It is able to neutralize up to 10 of these molecules, which helps protect tissues and organs from cell death.
The antioxidant properties of melatonin have been proven to be effective in stopping inflammation in the gut and preventing irritable bowel syndrome. It also protects mucous membrane cells in the stomach from poisoning by fungi that infect sugarcane.
What are the side effects of melatonin?
If you're taking melatonin to help you sleep, it's best to take it around an hour before bedtime. That way it has time to work and will not interfere with your normal sleeping patterns.
Generally, the best dose is between 1 and 3 milligrams per day. But some studies have found that as little as 1/10 of a milligram can be effective.
You can buy Zopiclone 7.5 mg teblets over the counter without a prescription. These can be in the form of immediate release tablets or time-release supplements.
It is very safe and unlikely to cause any side effects. But it is worth talking to your doctor if you have any other medical problems, take other medicines or have had a reaction to this type of medicine in the past.
The most common side effect of melatonin is feeling tired and sleepy. This is because it alerts your body that it's time to sleep and reduces dopamine, a hormone linked to wakefulness.
How should I take melatonin?
Melatonin is available in various forms and doses. It's best to start with a low dose and increase it slowly, as taking too much melatonin can cause side effects, such as drowsiness or headache.
Sleep specialists generally recommend taking melatonin between 0.5 to five milligrams two hours before bed, but what works for you may vary. Taking too much melatonin too close to bedtime can make it harder to fall asleep, while taking it too late can cause you to wake up too early in the morning and feel groggy.
People with delayed sleep-wake phase disorder, a type of circadian rhythm disorder, find that melatonin helps them to fall asleep and get up on time, while helping to correct their sleep cycles. It can also help to overcome jet lag, which occurs when you travel across multiple time zones and causes your body clock to be out of whack.
Taking too much melatonin can also cause unwanted side effects, such as dry mouth or a rash on your skin. If these side effects are bothersome, talk to your doctor.
