Melatonin

Question: melatonin? will taking melatonin pills to help me fall asleep decrease the quality of my sleep? i am wondering if it is bad in any way to take melatonin to help me fall asleep.

Answer: No melatonin is a natural substance so it will just help you fall asleep easier. I have a friend who uses it nightly.

Question: How much melatonin should I take to induce a lucid dream? I've heard you can take unlimited amounts of melatonin with no side effects as it's a naturally occurring chemical in the body. Is this true? And what is the best dose to take to induce a lucid dream?

Answer: The normal dose of melatonin as a sleeping aid is anywhere from 300 micrograms to 3 milligrams. Melatonin does suppress REM, and therefore can cause rebound with increased dream vividness and therefore hopefully an increased chance of getting lucid--IF you already are trained in lucid dreaming and already have some experience. If you don't have the background, no substance will guarantee you a lucid dream. Melatonin has a short half-life (45-60 minutes), so taking it before bed is mostly just going to help you get to sleep. The longer REM cycles happen later in the night anyway, after you've been asleep for four to six hours. Therefore it really isn't the most popular or most effective LDS (lucid dreaming supplement) but it is often used in combination with others as an aid in getting back to sleep, as the others are sometimes rather stimulating. Melatonin has very low toxicity and excess doses will not put you in a coma. People have taken up to 50 or 60 mg at a time, although this is not recommended. Adverse effects other than physical (nausea, etc.) include horrific nightmares. Lower doses such as 10 or 12 mg may produce the dreaming effects you want. Everybody is different, and experimenting to see what helps your dreams is the only way to find out, starting out with a low dose. There are many other ways to enhance lucid dreaming, including the use safe and legal supplements other than melatonin. For more information, see Thomas Yushak's book "Advanced Lucid Dreaming: The Power of Supplements", or check out the related forum here: http://mortalmist.com/forum/index.php/board,12.0.html @ http://mortalmist.com

Question: Whats the difference between melatonin and tryptophan? I know that tryptophan is the precursor for melatonin, but what does that mean? Can someone put it into simpler terms for me please.

Answer: Tryptophan is an essential amino acid (you must obtain it through your diet.) Like you pointed out, it is a precursor to melatonin. "Precursor" implies that something comes before something else, right? In this sense, tryptophan comes before melatonin when your body makes melatonin. Look at it this way. In chemistry, you take some chemicals, mix them together, and you get new chemicals. In the same way, your body does a series of chemical reactions that start with tryptophan and end with melatonin. (In the body, chemical reactions are mediated by enzymes.) If you make a door, you start with a tree. Then you cut down the tree to make a log. From the log, you cut out a piece of wood roughly in the shape of the door. You sand it down to make it nice. Add a doorknob and some hinges, and you have a door. The door represents melatonin, and the tree is the same thing as tryptophan. Here is how tryptohan eventually becomes melatonin... I have also included the enzymes that achieve this: Tryptophan is converted to 5-hydroxyltryptophan by the enzyme Tryptophan Oxidase. Aromatic Amino Acid Decarboxylase takes 5-hydroxyltryptophan and makes seratonin (as in SSRI medications for depression.) Seratonin is converted into N-acetyl-5-hydroxytryptamine by the enzyme N-Acetyltransferase. Finally, N-acetyl-5-hydroxytryptamine is taken to melatonin by the action of the enzyme O-Methyltransferase. Tryptophan is an important precursor to many, many different kinds of compounds in the body. Like I said, it can make seratonin. Receptors that bind this also bind drugs like mescaline, MDMA, and DMT. Melatonin is involved in estrus control (AKA the menstrual cycle.) It is also thought to be involved in the natural mediation of sleep. Melatonin affects the circadian rhythm and is potentially a weak sedative-hypnotic. I hope this clarifies the issue.

Question: Will taking melatonin make my birth control less effective? I take a melatonin tablet every night before bed to help me go to sleep, but I wanted to make sure it won't reduce the effectiveness of my birth control Yasmin pills. Is there anything else anyone recommends? So far, the melatonin doesn't really seem to be working but I'll try it.

Answer: It won't affect birth control pills.

Question: What fruit contains 383 nanograms of melatonin? My research shows that tart cherries seem to have the most amount of melatonin, but I am not sure if it is 383 nanograms exactly. This is for homework, so please help me!

Answer: each cherry would vary individually due to it's genetics and just it's plain size.

Question: How are you suppose to take Melatonin, are you suppose to let it dissolve under tounge? Doctor recommended that I should try Melatonin when I find that I can't sleep. Anyways, I heard your suppose to let it dissolve under your tongue? The first time I swallowed it. Does it matter?

Answer: the first time i swalloed and it worked the same but yea let it dissolve on your tongue or under doesnt matter. itll work the same IF it even works. doesnt work for me unless im already way relaxed but yeaaaaa. try that see if it works :) let me know

Question: How long does it take a Melatonin implant to help a ferret? My ferret got a Melatonin implant for his adrenal problems about two weeks ago. He has not started to grow any fur back yet, and his skin is still rashy. How long does it usually take for it to show any effects?

Answer: Your vet should have discussed this with you. I believe 3 weeks is the time they suggest you wait to see improvement. If in another week you do not see your ferret getting better call your vet.

Question: What is melatonin and how might it act on plants? What is melatonin and how might it act on plants?

Answer: Melatonin is a hormone made by the pineal gland, a structure in the brain. When it is dark, your body produces more melatonin. Studies suggest that melatonin supplements may help people with jet lag or those who work the night shift to sleep better. A review of clinical studies suggests that melatonin supplements may help prevent jet lag, particularly in people who cross five or more time zones. Melatonin also helps control the timing and release of female reproductive hormones. Melatonin in plants has multiple roles including regulation of the photoperiod, in plant defence responses, and as a scavenger of reactive oxygen species. John H

Question: How much Melatonin is recomended to help me sleep? I picked up some Melatonin at WalMart because I hear it is supposed to help me sleep. It is 300 mcg. I am wondering how many I should take. It says 1 on the bottle but have heard elsewhere that sometimes it takes a few of them. How many have other people had sucess with?

Answer: 300 mcg is .3 mg I buy 5 mg tablets, but I think for your needs a max. of 3 mg is better, I don't react well to drugs. So don't take more than 10 (ten) You can by 3mg tablets so you needn't swallow ten pills at night.

Question: What kind of nightmares does melatonin give you? I had a terrible nightmare from melatonin last night. I woke up and it seemed very real for a few minutes, I didn't like that. I do like that melatonin helps me fall asleep, it's just that I don't know if I sleep well because of it. How has your experience been?

Answer: If it continues, switch to generic benedryl. One-half tablet is usually enough for a good 8 hours.

Question: Is it possible to build a tolerance to melatonin? If you take melatonin for sleep too many nights in a role consecutively, can you build a tolerance to them?

Answer: your body can build a tolerance to anythign

Question: Can you buy Melatonin liquid over the counter for ferrets with adrenal disease? My ferret has begun losing his fur due to adrenal disease, and I've heard good things about the drug Melatonin. Is it over the counter, and where can I get it for my ferrets?

Answer: Having owned several ferrets with various issues I have learned that even the Vets are limited in their knowledge of these very sensitive creatures. Unless you know the correct dosage you probably shouldn't try that. It's so easy to over stress their systems. Did the vet recommend anything and how experienced is he/she in the area of wildlife? I would try to get a second opinion of that diagnosis, one of my ferrets was losing fur from diabetes and I had another one that was losing fur from stress (I was in ferret rescue).

Question: What are the chances of having nightmares with melatonin? I've been having sleeping problems for a while now, and my doctor suggested melatonin. I took it for the first time tonight in hopes of getting a better sleep. I looked up side effects, and it said that there were some cases of nightmares. Does anyone know any information at all about whether or not there is a certain "type" of person (such as females, the elderly, children, etc.) that get this side effect, or if it's just randomized in everyone? Thanks.

Answer: I have sleep troubles and for me, personally... never felt rested from sleep until I took melatonin. It was an absolute godsend! Everyone can be different though, so give things a chance before you start thinking trouble right out of the gate. Also, please test out the drug being taken at a time the doctor recommends and if after 2 days or so you find you are having nightmares, try taking it 45 minutes earlier or later , or simply use increments of 45 min blocks of time (as in 45 minutes, 1 1/2 hrs, 2 1/4 hrs, etc) as this is how sleep cycles are "timed". If your melatonin wears off when you are in a deep sleep cycle because you mis-timed your dosage, you might feel sluggish, stressed or grumpy or have had very vivid or scary dreams. If you shift the medicine dose an extra 45 minutes ahead, you might hit a time of light, wakeful sleep and feel very refreshed. So, I guess what I am trying to say is do not be afraid to fiddle with the time to suit your body rhythms. You do not want to give up quickly. Keywording "sleep cycles" as well as "minimizing melatonin side effects" will bring up some good reading for you to find out more online. Hope this is clear and has helped, if not email me and I'll try to clarify, ok? Good luck! *Edit* btw, I do not know that the side effect is for any specific group, but I highly doubt it! Probably people that didn't understand what I just told you about timing and sleep cycles.

Question: How long until melatonin starts to work? I started a melatonin regimine a few days ago, and the stuff doesnt seem to work. I take 2.5 mg in a liquid form. How long until it will start to work? I am tired of not sleeping, and sleeping meds dont work anymore!

Answer: 2.5 mg didn't work for me. I now take 2 5mg tablets a night and it works for me. I suggest that you increase your dose. I hope you start sleeping better- i know that it is horrible when you can't sleep. Good luck :)

Question: What's the difference between regular Natrol Melatonin and the time release one? My doctor recommended it to me but he didn't say whether to get just the Melatonin or the time release. Could someone please help me out?

Answer: If you are using it to help re-establish an irregular sleeping pattern, you can do either version. And you don't need a lot. 300 micrograms per day is enough. (Remember that 1000 micrograms are in one milligram, so don't overdo it.) Take it around supper time. Sleep with the lights out and in a quiet room. If he wanted you to take if for immune regulation or influence, then the amount would be more and would be taken at bedtime. I seriously doubt that this would be the purpose if he did not specify how to take it, however.

Question: Is it possible to decrease the amount of melatonin in the body? I am a high school student, a sophomore, and interested in polysomnography. I know that melatonin is a key factor in circadian rhythm, and thus helps you sleep. Is there a way you can decrease the amount of melatonin in your body, maybe by a change in diet or something that can counteract with melatonin?

Answer: use of stimulants and plain old staying up can interfere with melatonin. typically the levels decrease after certain time of the night/morning. simply use a stimulant and avoid the urge to sleep...in time it will pass.