Melatonin

Hi, Rose ~ The search box is to your upper right -- far end of the pink bar.  Sometimes it tends to go off my page.  I'm not sure if there's been a separate thread about Melatonin recently, but I know there's been discussion about it in the Natural Girls thread.  I use it, as do many others on that thread.  I try to take mine about an hour or so before bedtime, when I remember.  It doesn't make me sleepy per se, just helps me to drop off when I lie down.  It's not addictive that I've ever heard, but it can cause you to dream more.

As far as which brand, I always think the more natural brands are best -- those you find in natural health food stores, as opposed to pharmacies or general merchandise stores.  The brand I'm using is MRM, and it's 3 mg.  I believe that's the standard dose, although some women take 2x or sometimes 3x that, but I'd definitely start with the 3 mg. for a few nights and see how it works for you.    Deanna

My wife and I use melatonin.  Having tried both kinds, I prefer the slow release.  We buy it from vitacost.  It seems to produce a more prolonged effect.  With the regular melatonin, we were finding that it would help with initially falling asleep, but then wake up several hours later and lie in bed awake.  I think your body rapidly adjusts to it, and negates its effect on sleep, but there may be other health benefits.  I find that if I skip a night or two with it, then go back on, the more intense dreaming resumes for a few days.

I'm groggy in the morning unless I'm getting up to do something particularly interesting, but I'm not sure I can blame it on the melatonin.  If it helps you get a good night's sleep, its got to be an overall benefit.  Just don't overdo the dosage, or a work it up slowly.  3mg is good for me.  However some small studies showing benefits for cancer patients used significantly higher dosages, like 15-20 mg (sorry I can't remember exactly).  Its too bad there were no larger cancer patient trials conducted on melatonin.  Some work done in Italy at one time, and that's it.  Seems like a common story with non prescription "supplements".

Melatonin seems to be a natural aromatase inhibitor, but it has other benefits for cancer patients.  My doctor even recommends it for me although I am triple negative.  I sleep better with it, but am pretty groggy in the am, but I take 20 mg a night, which is the therapeutic dose.  My naturopath was not in favor of the time release version, but did not say why.

I have been on Melatonin for three months now and I find it works a treat in getting me to sleep.  My problem is, that in Australia you can only get it if it's prescribed by an MD and you can find a compounding pharmacy.  I don't understand why the Aus Gov has this restriction on it.  Just a bit of a pain like most Gov's.