Ash said:
It might be better to focus on boosting your natural melatonin production.
That hasn’t worked for me. I’m an insomniac.
Ash said:
It might be better to focus on boosting your natural melatonin production.
That hasn’t worked for me. I’m an insomniac.
Oh, that’s tough 
hang in there.
Personally, I’d avoid taking any hormone without checking with a doctor.
Zhen said:
Personally, I’d avoid taking any hormone without checking with a doctor.
I always mention it to my doctors, and they’ve said it’s fine. But honestly, it feels like they don’t care that much.
Taking over-the-counter melatonin doesn’t help your body produce it naturally. There’s a prescription drug that actually helps your pineal gland make melatonin on its own. If you’re interested, you could also look into decalcifying the pineal gland; fluoride and some meds can build up there over time. Stress might also lead to higher cortisol, which can make sleep harder. There are natural ways to address that too.
@Pippin
Do you know what the prescription drug is called? I do use some fluoride-based dental products. I still get vivid dreams with or without melatonin, though.
I personally use melatonin only to reset my sleep when my schedule is thrown off. Things like magnesium, calming routines, and a consistent schedule help me maintain good sleep overall. I also find melatonin useful for travel and jet lag but don’t feel any benefit from regular use.
Taking melatonin regularly might make your body depend on it for sleep. Other hormones work similarly, where long-term use can reduce your body’s natural production. Even though melatonin might not be as drastic as something like testosterone, it’s a good idea to take breaks to let your body adjust naturally.
@Beck
Actually, melatonin doesn’t stop your body from making its own. You can take it and then stop without affecting natural levels. Unlike something like testosterone, melatonin doesn’t down-regulate its own production.
If you use it daily, you might develop a tolerance, which could make it less effective over time.
Shannon said:
If you use it daily, you might develop a tolerance, which could make it less effective over time.
That hasn’t happened to me so far!
Using melatonin all the time can lead to a tolerance, where it doesn’t work as well over time.
It’s a hormone, not just a supplement or sleep aid.
Logan said:
Using melatonin all the time can lead to a tolerance, where it doesn’t work as well over time.
It’s a hormone, not just a supplement or sleep aid.
> Melatonin is a hormone, not just a sleep aid or supplement.
It’s all three, actually. These aren’t mutually exclusive categories.
@Haze
No, they aren’t. Some people have side effects with melatonin, and hormones aren’t the same as regular supplements.
Logan said:
@Haze
No, they aren’t. Some people have side effects with melatonin, and hormones aren’t the same as regular supplements.
> Some people report problems with melatonin.
Lots of people report problems with other supplements too. Are they also not “supplements”?
> Hormones aren’t supplements.
Actually, melatonin is legally sold as a supplement to aid sleep in many places, like the US.
@Haze
It’s classified that way because it’s not FDA-approved. “Dietary supplement” is a bit of a loophole.
Logan said:
@Haze
It’s classified that way because it’s not FDA-approved. “Dietary supplement” is a bit of a loophole.
> The “dietary supplement” classification is a loophole.
So you admit it’s a supplement then. Have a nice day!
@Haze
I’m saying it’s classified as one. Doesn’t mean it should be treated like one.
Logan said:
@Haze
I’m saying it’s classified as one. Doesn’t mean it should be treated like one.
> I’m saying it’s classified as one. That doesn’t mean it should be.
That’s your opinion, but legally, it’s a supplement. You can hold your opinion, but it doesn’t change the law.