Melatonin May Help with Sleeping Problems
Sleeping problems are on the rise as many people have found they’ve stuff their lives with so much ’stuff’ that, when they lay their head down, they can’t get that ’stuff’ off their minds. From work email, personal email, contacts, todo lists, and the like, we just have too much on our mind to get a good nights rest.
Traditional and conventional wisdom always suggested that you get 8 hours of sleep, no more, no less. As more research is done we are learning that many adults do not need 8 hours, but many aren’t even getting 6 hours. And, if you have a sleeping disorder on top of that, the problem is compounded as it becomes ever difficult to fall asleep.
Many have turned to their drug store for solutions to their sleeping problems. They may purchase a prescription drug or something from the pain killer aisle that has ‘PM’ in the name. Many people are fine with that, while others prefer to take a natural cure if possible. Melatonin may be just the thing they are looking for, since it is a natural chemical that our body already creates anyway and is readily available on the supplement aisle at most drug stores.
Melatonin is a chemical that our body produces as it gets darker outside and approaches the time we should go to sleep. Taking the little pill gives our body a ‘boost’ of melatonin, and helps your body naturally get tired and want to sleep.
Melatonin is sold as a naturally occurring substance and in pill form. Our research suggests that you should avoid pills that are captured naturally; rather, opt for the chemically created Melatonin as it is more likely to not be contaminated. It is usually sold in 3mg and 5 or 6mg; start with 3mg to see what affect that has on you - then increase the dosage if you feel it is necessary.
Some people believe that 3mg may be more Melatonin than is needed, so if you are able to obtain a smaller dosage from the drug store, certainly do that. Before you start taking the Melatonin, have a long talk with your doctor about your sleeping problems. Provide as much detail as possible about how much sleep you are getting, how long it takes you to fall asleep, etc. Tell him that you are thinking about Melatonin and get his or her opinion on it.