Will Melatonin Help Insomnia?

Will Melatonin Help Insomnia?

Melatonin is a hormone that’s produced in the brain. It’s used to help the body regulate its internal clock. This is also what tells the body when it’s time to sleep.

Some people find melatonin helpful with insomnia, jet lag, and other sleep disorders. However, it’s not a substitute for medication or other therapies. There are many other sleep disorders that melatonin may not be able to treat.

A person should seek out a sleep specialist if they have trouble sleeping. They can evaluate the problem and then recommend a specific therapy. While there are some experts who suggest melatonin as a way to get relief, there’s no real evidence it’s effective.

In general, melatonin is a safe drug, but it should be taken under a doctor’s supervision. For example, it should not be given to children or pregnant women. Also, it’s important to talk to your health care provider about any possible interactions with other medications you’re taking. If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or seizures, you should discuss melatonin with your doctor before starting it.

If you’re taking a benzodiazepine such as Xanax or Klonopin, you should not take melatonin. The effects of melatonin on benzodiazepines are still unknown.

Taking melatonin can help you wake up in the morning, but it’s not a good long-term solution for chronic insomnia. Instead, it’s better to try cognitive behavioral therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to minimize the environmental and behavioral factors that lead to poor sleep.