5 ms·

What is the result of the typical over-the-counter dose, often 3-5 mg?

by bsg75 12y ago

drzaiusapelord 12y ago
I take 5mg every weeknight as a insomnia treatment. I start getting sleepy about 45-60 minutes after taking it. If I fall asleep then, I'll sleep the entire night.
eikenberry 12y ago
I found that the higher doses lead to me falling asleep fine but I tend to wake up in the middle of the night. I assumed the pill was getting my melatonin to high and when it went back to natural levels it triggered my waking up. I've been using 1mg lately (the lowest I can find) and they work much better. Still help make me drowsy, but without waking up in the middle of the night.
- WalterSear 12y ago
  I've found that 0.3 mg will have me waking up very briefly in the night, but that my sleep is still refreshing. I assumed that this might have something to do with the 'dual sleep' that humans are ostensibly supposed to have had, before electricity came along. I recommend experimenting with amounts (I break my pills up) and finding the amount that works for you.
  - tashoecraft 12y ago
    It seems the only real study/evidence for the dual sleep idea is from one source and a separate study of 8 people. Sleep experts seem to suggest that now is is impractical and unlikely you will be able to adapt, because of how prolific electric light is.
WalterSear 12y ago
Since it's a non-linear metabolic process, and relies on a specific level of increase over time, when it increases too fast (because you took too much), won't necessarily help you get to sleep. It will also give you a 'sleep hang over' in the morning. You also have to take it an hour or so >before< bed.
enraged_camel 12y ago
I think the effect is different for everyone. I personally have extremely vivid (and not necessarily pleasant) dreams when I take a 3mg pill. 1mg or less works great, though.
- heffo 12y ago
  As with any medication, side effects vary. When I took melatonin, I would very quickly fall asleep but would still wake up extremely tired. I also experienced very severe depression when on melatonin, that started about 2 days after use, and ended about a day after stopping use. I do know people that have had it work very well for them, however.
  - WalterSear 12y ago
    That hangover in the morning means you were taking too much, fwiw. If I were you, I'd experiment with much lower doses.
    - heffo 12y ago
      That's very possible, but the depression was severe enough that I'm not inclined to try again.

What is the result of the typical over-the-counter dose, often 3-5 mg?

by bsg75 12y ago

What is the result of the typical over-the-counter dose, often 3-5 mg?

I take 5mg every weeknight as a insomnia treatment. I start getting sleepy about 45-60 minutes after taking it. If I fall asleep then, I'll sleep the entire night.

eikenberry 12y ago

I found that the higher doses lead to me falling asleep fine but I tend to wake up in the middle of the night. I assumed the pill was getting my melatonin to high and when it went back to natural levels it triggered my waking up. I've been using 1mg lately (the lowest I can find) and they work much better. Still help make me drowsy, but without waking up in the middle of the night.

WalterSear 12y ago
I've found that 0.3 mg will have me waking up very briefly in the night, but that my sleep is still refreshing. I assumed that this might have something to do with the 'dual sleep' that humans are ostensibly supposed to have had, before electricity came along. I recommend experimenting with amounts (I break my pills up) and finding the amount that works for you.
- tashoecraft 12y ago
  It seems the only real study/evidence for the dual sleep idea is from one source and a separate study of 8 people. Sleep experts seem to suggest that now is is impractical and unlikely you will be able to adapt, because of how prolific electric light is.

WalterSear 12y ago

Since it's a non-linear metabolic process, and relies on a specific level of increase over time, when it increases too fast (because you took too much), won't necessarily help you get to sleep. It will also give you a 'sleep hang over' in the morning. You also have to take it an hour or so >before< bed.

enraged_camel 12y ago

I think the effect is different for everyone. I personally have extremely vivid (and not necessarily pleasant) dreams when I take a 3mg pill. 1mg or less works great, though.

heffo 12y ago
As with any medication, side effects vary. When I took melatonin, I would very quickly fall asleep but would still wake up extremely tired. I also experienced very severe depression when on melatonin, that started about 2 days after use, and ended about a day after stopping use. I do know people that have had it work very well for them, however.
- WalterSear 12y ago
  That hangover in the morning means you were taking too much, fwiw. If I were you, I'd experiment with much lower doses.
  - heffo 12y ago
    That's very possible, but the depression was severe enough that I'm not inclined to try again.