What is melatonin? Is it legal? What does it do? Is it harmful? Where can I get it? How much does it cost

Answer 1

legal? yes. Helps you sleep. Isn't harmful. Health food store. Very reasonable. I use it. You adjust the dose to fit your need!

Answer 2

Melatonin is a hormone made by a part of the brain called the pineal (say: "pin-ee-all") gland. Melatonin may help our bodies know when it's time to go to sleep and when it's time to wake up. Melatonin supplements (in pill form) can also be taken. There are two types of melatonin that may be used in these pills: natural and synthetic (man-made). Natural melatonin is made from the pineal gland of animals. This form could be contaminated with a virus and is not recommended. The synthetic form of melatonin does not have this risk. If you are not sure if your melatonin is natural or synthetic, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking it. It has not been out long enough to know if there is any long term effects or not. Ask your doctor before taking any medicine or herbal remedy.
I have taken it occasionally and it does help me get some sleep. I just bought a bottle at Walmart for @ $3.

Answer 3

Melatonin is the stuff your body produces to make it go to sleep. Pharmaceutical companies have found a way to make it (probably from some animal) into a pill. The bottle of pills can be found in any drug store, and will sell for between 6 and 18 dollars for about 250 pills depending on the brand/pharmacy... ect. Before I went to college, I worked late nights at a restaurant. I bought some Melatonin from Walgreen's to try to go to sleep on time. It worked, I would take it about half an hour before I wanted to sleep, then wind down by reading or something. The thing to beware is to only take what it says to, which is usually 1 pill. The guy who introduced me to them would take 6-8 pills every night. Like every other drug that the body naturally produces; if you take enough of the drug, your body will no longer produce the drug. Thus, my friend could not fall asleep without it, because his body no longer produced it. If you use it wisely, and with a goal, it will work. I recommend getting the smallest amount possible. Of my bottle of 250 pills, I used about 40, before I got what I wanted. So it was kind of a waste to have that many extra, but for 8 dollars, no big deal.

Answer 4

Very good answers already given above. I would just like to add that one side effect is that some users report experiencing dreams that are more vivid in detail than when they don't use melatonin. In some individuals, this is a great experience! In others, the dreams are too vivid and some users describe them as nightmares. I know two people who claim they had horrible nightmares on melatonin and both refuse to use it again. I personally had no such experience, but I also felt like it didn't help very much after I had used it a few times.

Answer 5

Melatonin is a hormone found in almost all living things that varies in concentration throughout the day/night. It actually works as an anti-oxidant and can help stimulate the immune system, help with memory, overall well-being, and as mentioned, sleep. Unless you have auto=immune disorders or are taking MAOI drugs, it is pretty much safe. You can get it at Walmart, health stores, almost anywhere that sells vitamins/drugs. Check in that kind of isle. $4-20 depending on quantity.

The first time I took it I did not notice an effect, but the next time, it sent me into a gentle sleep. I would highly recommend it for those who have difficulty falling asleep.

Answer 6

Melatonin Is legal. You can purchase it at most drug stores in the vitamin section. Not harmful if taken as directed. Helps you rest at night easier. Costs less than $5.

Answer 7

Melatonin is the all-natural nightcap. It's secreted by the pineal gland, a pea-size structure at the center of the brain, as our eyes register the fall of darkness." At night melatonin is produced to help our bodies regulate our sleep-wake cycles. The amount of melatonin produced by our body seems to lessen as we get older. Scientists believe this may be why young people have less problem sleeping than older people.
yes it is leagle
Should certain people avoid it?

Yes. "Those include women who are pregnant or nursing (since no one knows how excessive exposure to the hormone might affect a fetus or infant); people with severe allergies or autoimmune diseases (melatonin could exacerbate such conditions by stimulating the immune system); people with immune-system cancers such as lymphoma or leukemia (for the same reason), and healthy children (who already produce it in abundance). Women trying to conceive should also think twice about taking the hormone, since high doses can act as a contraceptive." As with any substance introduced into your body, if you have a medical condition you should always consult your physician first before taking melatonin.

Melatonin is one of the least toxic substances known. People have taken as much as 6 grams (600 to 3000 times the normal dosage) of the substance in carefully monitored studies with no sign of toxicity. Only four complaints regarding melatonin have been report to the FDA (USA's Food and Drug Administration). The only consistent side effect of high doses has been drowsiness and a slower reaction time. In the most extensive clinical trial to date a high dose of 75 milligrams of melatonin per day was given to 1400 women in the Netherlands for up to four years with no ill effects. The FDA reports that in the more than two years melatonin has been available for sale over-the-counter in the United States, no alarming side effects have been reported.

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Answer 8

It is an inexpensive hormone normally produced by infants and less-so in adults. Many people find it helps them sleep soundly and some report very vivid dreams when sleeping after taking melatonin.

After decades of research Melatonin has continued to prove itself to be very safe to consume. There is also evidence that it may act as an antioxidant in the body, supporting the the "antiaging" claims associated with it. Of course, such things would take an extended period of time to notice, if it happens.

Answer 9

Melatonin is legal, cheap, generally not harmful, available at most drug stores, K-Mart, General Dollar among others and it seems to be effective helping people sleep.

Answer 10

melatonin is a legal herbal remedy available widely at most any discount,drug store.grocery,health food----most anywhere that sells vitamins etc-------it is extremely low cost----and is used as a sleep aid and does work quite well.------for $2---to--$4 you can get a bottle. only need to take 2-to-3 tablets depending on your size and tolerance.

Answer 11

Melatonin is a chemical produced in your brain in the pineal gland through the synthesis of seratonin. It regulates patterns in your brain having to do with day and night, and also tells your brain when it is time to sleep.

It is legal, and is a common drug found in stores today.

Most common use is a sleep aid and antioxidant.