What happens if you take 40 melatonin

These may include:. Young children can experience even more serious side effects, and melatonin overdose occurs more quickly. For example, a dose as small as 1 to 5 mg could cause seizures. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers more information. Need to talk to someone today?

Taking melatonin in any amount can be dangerous if you are also taking certain other medications. Unfortunately, this includes medications that can also make it difficult to sleep. People who use blood pressure drugs, for example, may have a lower amount of naturally occurring melatonin. However, taking melatonin can cause blood pressure spikes, which could be incredibly dangerous. On the other end of the spectrum, birth control pills can lead to elevated melatonin production.

Taking a supplement could push your concentration into dangerous territory. Individuals using anticoagulants may see an increased risk of bleeding if they also use melatonin. We highlight what…. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly.

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Updated June 1, Written by Elise Chahine. Medically Reviewed by Dr. Abhinav Singh. When Should I Take Melatonin?

Can You Overdose on Melatonin? Melatonin Dosage for Adults There is no official recommended melatonin dosage for adults, but a range of 0.

Melatonin for Pregnant or Breastfeeding Women Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using melatonin without first consulting their doctor. Melatonin Dosage for Children Short-term use of melatonin in small doses appears to be safe and well-tolerated by most children. Sign up below for your free gift. Your privacy is important to us.

Was this article helpful? Yes No. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Savage, R. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. Shane-McWhorter, L. Merck Manual Professional Version: Melatonin. Ferracioli-Oda, E. Meta-analysis: melatonin for the treatment of primary sleep disorders. PloS One, 8 5 , e Berring-Uldum, A. Ugeskrift for Laeger, 19 , V Vural, E. Optimal dosages for melatonin supplementation therapy in older adults: a systematic review of current literature.

Module 6. Conroy, D. Dim light melatonin onset in alcohol-dependent men and women compared with healthy controls. Chronobiology International, 29 1 , 35— Shilo, L. When it comes to the question concerning whether or not you can overdose on melatonin, the answer is yes and no. There has never been a case reported of anyone dying from too much melatonin, or even becoming seriously ill, so no, you cannot really overdose in the fatal sense.

On the other hand, you can certainly take too much melatonin, which can produce adverse side-effects you likely want to avoid. If you are worried about whether or not you have taken too much melatonin, take a look at the warning signs and symptoms of taking larger doses of melatonin than recommended and adjust your intake accordingly.

Taking too much melatonin can have a wide range of harmful effects. Melatonin overdoses can lower the sperm count and libido of men, and affect estrogen and progesterone hormone levels in women. Some also suggest that melatonin can affect the ovulation and menstrual cycles for women as well.

Taking too much melatonin can cause a person to be more awake than they would be normally—producing the opposite effect of what was originally intended if taking it as a sleep aid. Melatonin is relatively safe, but there are some dangers associated with taking too much. A melatonin overdose can typically be waited out, or one may find relief from calling their doctor to seek medical advice.

The good news is that the effects of melatonin are short-term, and there should be no long-term side effects that result from taking too much. But still, we are not doctors and the only medical advice we can offer is to content licensed healthcare professionals when you are concerned about your health, well-being, and safety.

The main drugs that melatonin interacts negatively with are sedatives CNS depressants , blood thinners anticoagulants, birth control pills contraceptives , steroids, diabetes medications, and immunosuppressants. Blood-thinning medications anticoagulants can be dangerous when paired with melatonin as it has a chance of increasing the risk of bleeding. Melatonin can also make blood pressure and diabetes medications less effective.

Melatonin may also make steroids and immunosuppressant drugs less effective, and so it is not recommended that melatonin be taken when on these medications. There is no known lethal dose of melatonin and no reports of death from taking too much melatonin, Dimitriu says, but taking too much can disrupt your natural circadian rhythm and internal body clock , causing you to actually have more trouble falling asleep.

The effects of taking large doses of melatonin don't appear to be lethal, Dimitriu says, but more research is needed to determine the long-term health implications of melatonin use and the effects of doses larger than 30mg. The right dose of melatonin for you is the lowest possible dose that can help you sleep with minimal side effects, Dimitriu says. This can vary by individual. Melatonin should only be used occasionally unless you have otherwise been instructed by a physician, Avena says.

Melatonin is considered safe in low doses for short-term use , but there is little data available on its long-term effects and more research is needed to determine overall safety. If you find you are relying on melatonin in order to fall asleep every night, Avena recommends lowering your dosage slowly.

You may experience a few nights of less than great sleep as your body adjusts. Relaxation techniques like meditation or breathing exercises can help you fall asleep without the help of a melatonin supplement.

Melatonin is not addictive, but taking it every night can cause you to rely on it as part of your bedtime routine. People start associating substances and behaviors as part of the bedtime routine," Dimitriu says.