Melatonin is a hormone that is naturally produced in the body. It is responsible for regulating the body’s sleep-wake cycle. When it is dark outside, the body produces more melatonin, which makes you feel sleepy. When it is light outside, the body produces less melatonin, which makes you feel more awake.
Melatonin is produced naturally by the pineal gland in the brain. This gland is responsible for controlling our body’s circadian rhythm, or internal clock. When it’s dark outside, the pineal gland produces more melatonin, which makes us feel sleepy. The opposite happens when it’s light outside less melatonin is produced, making us feel more alert.
Our bodies produce less melatonin as we get older, which is why older adults often have trouble sleeping (sleeping gummies). For this reason, many people take over-the-counter melatonin supplements to help them sleep.
Melatonin supplements are available over-the-counter and are often used to treat insomnia and jet lag. They can be taken as pills, tablets, or liquids. The supplement works by mimicking the natural hormone and helping to regulate the body’s sleep-wake cycle. But how long does melatonin last? Let’s take a closer look.
How Long Does Melatonin Last?
The effects of melatonin vary from person to person. In general, melatonin takes about 30 minutes to kick in and the effects last for about 5-7 hours. However, some people may find that the effects last for a shorter period of time or a longer period of time.
Most over-the-counter melatonin supplements come in tablet form and are taken orally. They typically come in 2mg, 3mg, and 5mg doses. The body breaks down and eliminatesmelatonin quickly—it has a half-life of about 30 minutes to an hour. That means if you take a 3mg dose of melatonin, after 30 minutes to an hour only 1.5mg will remain in your system. After another 30 minutes to an hour, only 0.75mg will remain, and so on. So if you’re looking for immediate sleep relief, melatonin may not be your best bet.
If you decide to take a melatonin supplement, it’s best to take it about an hour before you want to go to sleep so that it has time to take effect. And remember, because it’s a hormone supplement, it can have side effects like any other medication—the most common being headaches and dizziness. If you experience any unusual side effects, stop taking the supplement and consult your doctor.
There are several factors that can affect how long melatonin lasts, including:
Age:
Children and teenagers tend to metabolize melatonin more quickly than adults. As a result, the effects of melatonin may not last as long in children and teenagers as they do in adults.
Dosage:
The lower the dosage, the shorter the effects will last. The higher the dosage, the longer the effects will last.
Time of day:
Melatonin is most effective when taken at night before bedtime. If taken during the day, it may not be as effective or may cause drowsiness.
Food:
Eating before taking melatonin can make it less effective.
Alcohol:
Alcohol can make it harder for your body to produce melatroni nnand can also make the supplement less effective.
Conclusion
Melatonin is a hormone that is responsible for regulating the body’s sleep cycle. It is available as a supplement and can be taken in pill, tablet, or liquid form. The effects of melatonin vary from person to person but generally last for 5-7 hours. There are several factors that can affect how long melatonin lasts including age, dosage, time of day, food, and alcohol consumption.
