Melatonin use has skyrocketed in recent years — and so have accidental overdoses.
Yet melatonin is not exactly the safe, sure-fire sleep solution that its surging popularity suggests., counseling parents to store melatonin supplements just as carefully as any other medication and to consult with a pediatrician before giving melatonin to their children.Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland in your brain in response to a decrease in light, such as nightfall.
, a pediatrician practicing in Indiana. “The plasma levels of melatonin supplements peak about an hour after you take it, which is why it’s recommended to take it close to bedtime.”Though melatonin is not as dangerous as other medications you might have in your house, accidental ingestion can cause symptoms such as headache, stomach upset and sleepiness.
First, parents should understand that something classified as a dietary supplement, which is the case for melatonin in the U.S., is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration the way a prescription or over-the-counter medicine is.It’s up to companies to represent their own products truthfully, and research shows that, when it comes to melatonin, the manufacturers shouldn’t necessarily be trusted.
Zee-Cheng suggests knowing how many hours of sleep your child needs at their age, maintaining a consistent bedtime and decreasing light levels in the bedroom.the body’s natural production of melatonin, so it makes sense to limit screen time before bed for anyone in your family who’s having trouble getting to sleep.“Melatonin is just one of many tools to optimize sleep, and it is only appropriate in certain people,” Zee-Cheng said.
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