Can a melatonin overdose hurt you?

Question

My friend normally takes melatonin when she's trying to get to sleep. I know that 3 mg is the proper dosage. However, my friend took 6 mg the other night. I was slightly concerned. Should I be worried? Or is melatonin not harmful whatsoever if you just double the normal supplement?

Answer 1

Melatonin supplements aren't that hazardous as far as pills go. Melatonin is a naturally occurring substance in your body; normally, your body will release about 0.1 mg a day before you sleep. I've had insomnia for about a month and have been taking 9 mg every night, and haven't had any side effects. My doctor's recommended I stay on my current dosage if it's helping me sleep.

I've read some studies of long-term melatonin use. Supposedly if you take around 30 mg daily for an extended period of time, it will start to build up in your system. There haven't been any proven long-term side effects yet. Your friend should be perfectly fine with the 6 mg; usually dosages range between 3 mg and 9 mg a night.

In response to some of the other answers to this thread. . . you would have to take an insane amount to create any harmful effects. A lethal dose hasn't been determined yet; it may not even exist.

Answer 2

Melatonin Overdose

Answer 3

Sometimes less is more. Our brains respond to melatonin in amounts as small as .1mg. .3mg is enough to make you fall asleep easier and fall asleep more easily when waking during the night. This has been supported by clinical trials. Look up the MIT study on melatonin. Because it's a dietary supplement, it's not regulated by the FDA and is often sold in amounts 10 times that. The study also apparently found that extremely high amounts of melatonin cause the receptors to become unresponsive, rendering the hormone less effective.

Answer 4

It says on my sons liquid melatonin 6ml/6mg.... Are these both the same measure's

Answer 5

I take about 27mg some nights because my adhd medication will keep me awake if I don't go to bed on time for some reason.

Answer 6

If I were to take 12 capsules of Melatonin what would happen

Answer 7

if you take too much. you might be dizzy and ruin your sleep cycle. some studies have said if you take more than 10MG's you might sleep too long. or feel tired when you wake up. you'll just have vivid dreams.

Answer 8

Don't ever take the sleeping pills route!!

1. They will damage your liver big time and you can get into serious health problems.

2. You will get hooked up on them and you won't be able to have a normal life any more if you don't take your pills everyday.

The sleeping pills industry is damaging our health by capitalizing on our ignorance, and by distracting people from effective and natural ways to deal with this problem. I had been taking prescription sleep medications [Ambien] for over 5 years. It stopped working and I simply took more. Still did not work. Nights were very difficult - medication put me to sleep but I would wake up after 2–3 hours with a strong sympathetic response (fast pulse, pounding heartbeat, wide awake alert). It was a very difficult cycle to break. I was really in bad shape due to lack of sleep.

After years of struggling I was able to cure my insomnia naturally and pretty fast. I followed the Sleep Tracks sleep optimization program, here is their official web -site if you want to take a look: http://www.insomniacure.net

Ohhh..and Good Luck!

Answer 9

Of course an overdose can hurt or kill you.

I have a disability with chronic insomnia and have been taking 6 mg of melatonin, under the care of a doctor, for years so your friend is safe.

I don't know of any studies on the toxicity level, but over 10 mg the hormone won't be absorbed and used by the body. Any larger dose would be a waste. Toxicity level would not show up until you started taking several grams at least. Therefore your friend is in no danger.

Suggest that they add Valerian Root, it is a natural sleep aid that can be purchased over the counter in most drug stores. I take two X 400 mg capsules a night, again under supervision of a doctor, with no problem.

If your friend continues to have sleeping problems then I suggest he check out my best answer for this question: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AlqGtDMSnuszotdc5BjYsybty6IX?qid=20070801225025AA8iNZ1&show=7#profile-info-gGpzdIP7aa

Answer 10

yes because to many of any type of drug is dangerous.also melatonin can have some side effect that may cause headache,depression and sleepiness. find out how long she's been taking melatonin and if she been having side effect.