Melatonin

[lestat]

Has anyone here had any experience with this substance? I have been reading up a bit on it and it seems like it could help alleviate the sleeping problems I am having. I also read that it can cause nightmares. I would appreciate it any personal insight somebody might have on this drug.

Thanks

 

[thelanx]

It is a natural chemical your brain produces that aids in sleeping. If your body is deficient in that chemical, you might experience sleeping problems. So if you take Melatonin supplements, it's supposed to help you sleep better. I'm not sure if this is confirmed or if it is just scientific theory.

 

[Sgt.Speculum]

lestat,

I take melatonin when I have trouble sleeping, or if i know I will be restless (i.e. if I have some stressful thing the next day, chances are I'll be tossing or turning). I'll take one 3mg pill about an hour before bed. Usually within 30 minutes I start feeling drowsy, but not disoriented(just sleepy). I usually sleep very soundly when I take it. As far as dreaming, I do find sometimes I have wacky dreams(or more vivid dreams) but I don't have nightmares. I seem to remember my dreams better. But I enjoy that. I love dreaming. My parents started taking it a couple years ago,they take it every night, and they don't have any complaints about nightmares either. Oh another thing I found was, that even if you take quite a bit, double dose, you still sleep as soundly, and I don't feel sleepy or out of it the next day. However my old GF used to say she felt drowsy the next day if she took as much as I did. so she would take half or quater pills. You can try it and see how it works for you.

 

[crazyasaloon]

Works great for me. The only draw back is in the morning I feel sluggish for about an hour or so. One pill at night and I can get to sleep in about 30 minutes.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Melatonin is great stuff. It is also especially good for helping re-establish a normal sleep pattern if it has been disrupted (e.g., by jetlag or a long vacation).

 

[weeber]

I have some experience with melatonin and haven't had any troubles with it. I do notice it really helps me sleep better, like my sleep is actually more 'productive'. I just take the 1 mg dosage, I heard you want to start with a small dosage and then work your way up if that doesn't work.

I haven't noticed any side-effects really. I find that I actually remember my dreams better than when I don't take it. Sometimes, after the first dosage (after I'm off it for awhile) I'll wake up with a small headache, but nothing too serious and it's usually only for one morning.

 

[TheDennis]

Is this something that you can pick up at your local drugstore or does it have to be prescribed by a doctor?

 

[Youareaweaklink]

You can buy it at any drugstore, grocery store, or GNC at the malls.

I have used it for about five years. I take it about twice a week when I want a good sound sleep. I would use it every night, but am afraid of my body needing it to sleep (although all studies find that it is not addictive, but I think everything could become addictive) (mentally or physically).

Nothing feels as good as a great nights sleep, well almost nothing :Q

 

[etech]

You can pick it up at any drugstore, even Wal-mart carries it.

It does seem to help me to get to sleep. I also use it when I know I'm going to have trouble sleeping and do not take it every night. It does seem to help restablish a more normal pattern. I usually take it about 3 nights in a row, perhaps once a month.

I would start out with a small doseage, 1 Mg (cut a larger pill in half) and also start when you don't have to work the next morning to see if you feel drowsy the next morning.

Take at least 30 mins to 1 hour before bedtime.

 

[PCAddict]

It's good stuff. I've used it to help me re-establish my sleeping schedule after switching from a night shift job to a dsy shift job years ago. I also use it periodically to help me sleep.

 

[lestat]

Thank you all kindly, just what I need to hear. Now I just need a find a place that sells it. Oddly enough I couldn't find any at Walmart. Thanks again though.

Brett