Melatonin

Do you often have trouble falling asleep? Melatonin can help you fall asleep faster. However, the use of melatonin is not entirely without risk. In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about melatonin and how to use it safely.

What is Melatonin?

Melatonin is a hormone. This hormone is produced by a gland in your brain. Melatonin plays an indispensable role in regulating your biological clock as it starts to get dark, melatonin production increases. Your body will then be notified that it is time to go to sleep. The hormone makes you sleepy and helps you fall asleep faster. By the morning, the production of melatonin decreases again, so you wake up.

Is Melatonin Bad For You?

Many people assume that the use of melatonin is safe, because melatonin is a body’s own hormone and because melatonin is available as a supplement without a prescription. However, the use of melatonin is not entirely without risk. Misuse of melatonin can cause your biological clock to be disrupted. Doctors and experts, therefore, warn against taking melatonin on your own. So always consult your doctor before deciding to use melatonin.

Pay attention: At a recommended daily dose of 0.3 mg or more, melatonin is a medicine. Only use this medicine if you are well informed and always read the package leaflet before use.

When Do You Use Melatonin?

Do you often stare at the ceiling at night? Poor sleep can have many causes. Melatonin use is only helpful if a disrupted biological clock is the cause of your sleep problems. Your biological clock can be disrupted if:

• You work at night and sleep during the day.
• You suffer from jet lag.

In these cases, melatonin can offer a solution. If you’re lying awake for any reason other than a disrupted biological clock, then using melatonin simply makes no sense. Therefore, always consult your doctor before you decide to use sleeping pills. Together you can identify the exact cause of your sleeping problem and find a solution.

Sleep during the day and work at night

People are naturally used to being awake during the day and sleeping at night. This has to do with the fact that it is light during the day and dark at night. Melatonin production is dormant during the day and only starts when it starts to get dark. This makes it difficult to sleep during the day. Melatonin can provide a solution in this case.

Melatonin and jet lag

Jet lag occurs when you bridge one or more time zones. Your biological clock can get quite confused. It usually takes a few days before you get used to a different rhythm. Until then, melatonin can help ease jet lag.

Does melatonin help you sleep through?

No. Melatonin helps you fall asleep faster but does not make you sleep through the night. Do you fall asleep easily, but do you often wake up at night? Then taking melatonin makes no sense, even when you wake up in the middle of the night.

What Is The Correct Dose Of Melatonin?

A dose of melatonin that is too low has no effect, but a dose that is too high can be counterproductive. If your body processes melatonin slowly, you may also have melatonin in your body in the morning, which will destroy your biological clock from its apropos and disrupt your own melatonin production. The correct dosage differs per person. Therefore, always consult your doctor before using melatonin. Your doctor can determine the correct dose based on a saliva test.

Can you overdose on melatonin?

Melatonin overdose is difficult to determine. There is no standard dosage that is safe for everyone. Everybody reacts differently to this hormone. Have you taken a high dose of melatonin, and are you experiencing side effects? Then consult your doctor.

When Should I Take Melatonin?

Taking melatonin just before going to bed does not work. It takes time to work in. The doctor can investigate the ideal time for you to take melatonin. This is usually a few hours before your own body starts producing melatonin.

What Is Modified-Release Melatonin?

Melatonin is available with or without a controlled release. With the controlled release, a little melatonin is always released during the night (or day), so that the substance works longer. Modified-release melatonin is prescribed, among other things, if you:

• Are over 55 years old and have difficulty falling and staying asleep
• Asleep too late and waking up in the morning with difficulty
• Fall asleep too early and wake up too early in the morning

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Valerian is an herbaceous plant. The root of the valerian plant has a calming and soothing effect. It is not known exactly how valerian works. Valerian doesn’t work with everyone, either. Valerian can help with mild tension, stress, nervousness and anxiety, and insomnia.

Valerian for tension, nervousness, and anxiety

Are you facing a stressful period at work? Are you nervous about a long flight? Valerian has a calming and soothing effect and can help against mild forms of tension, nervousness, and anxiety. It can help with short and occasional moments of tension, such as fear of flying. Valerian can also help if you are often tense or anxious for a long time, for example, with work-related tension.

Are you often tense, and do you notice that you can function less well? Then consult your doctor.

Valerian For Insomnia

Do you often stare at the ceiling at night? Poor sleep can have many causes. Valerian can help if you sleep poorly due to tension or stress. Always consult your doctor before deciding to use sleeping pills. Together you can identify the exact cause of your sleeping problem and find a solution.

Valerian or Melatonin?

The use of melatonin only makes sense if the cause of your sleeping problem is a disrupted biological clock. Doctors and experts warn against using melatonin on your own. Therefore, always consult your doctor or an expert first. Do you want to know more about melatonin? read on

Valerian or St. John’s wort?

St. John’s wort is an herb that is used for mild to moderate depressive symptoms. For example, it can improve your mood and reduce insomnia. If you’re lying awake for any reason other than depression, using St. John’s wort can actually help insomnia. Therefore, always consult your doctor first.

Is valerian addictive?

Valerian doesn’t work with everyone. Therefore, it cannot be said whether valerian is addictive and, if so, at what dosage or period of use.

Which dosage should I use?

Valerian is sold in various forms and dosages. Always read the package leaflet before use and do not use more valerian than indicated in the package leaflet. Do you want more information? Then visit the nearest store.

Can you overdose on valerian?

Valerian overdose is difficult to determine. After all, valerian doesn’t work for everyone. Always read the package leaflet before use and do not use more valerian than indicated in the package leaflet. Have you taken a high dose of valerian and are experiencing side effects? Then consult your doctor.

What are the side effects of valerian?

The use of valerian can have side effects. The most common side effects of valerian are gastrointestinal complaints, such as nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, and drowsiness. Do you experience one or more of these complaints when using valerian? Then consult your doctor.

Are you allowed to drive if you use valerian?

Valerian can make you drowsy and less alert. Therefore, it is not wise to get in the car if you have used valerian.

Can you drink alcohol if you use valerian?

Alcohol can affect the way valerian works. Would you rather not take a risk? Do not drink alcohol if you use valerian. The same applies to the simultaneous use of other tranquilizers and caffeinated drinks. This can also influence the effect of valerian.

Can you use valerian if you take antidepressants?

Do you take antidepressants? Valerian can enhance the effect of medicines that suppress the central nervous system. Valerian is why you should not use it in combination with antidepressants. This also applies to sleep pills. Are you unsure whether you can use valerian in combination with medicines that you already take? Always consult your doctor.

Can you use valerian if you are pregnant?

Are you pregnant, or would you like to become pregnant? Or are you breastfeeding? Then the use of valerian is not recommended. Not much is known about the use of valerian during pregnancy. Your doctor may be able to prescribe another medicine that you can use safely.

Valerian in children

Valerian is not suitable for children under five. Does your child sleep badly? Always consult your doctor before deciding to give your child valerian or other sleep supplements.

In what forms is valerian available?

Valerian is available in different forms:

• Tablets
• Drops
• Tea