Can melatonin help people fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly?
Melatonin induces sleepiness and lowers body temperature slightly, perhaps a further aid to sleep since temperature normally falls around the time sleep begins. Several small studies of individuals suggest that some people with trouble falling asleep and/or staying asleep may benefit from taking melatonin at bedtime. However, there have been no large-scale controlled studies as yet. Responses vary considerably between individuals. Again, one should start with the lowest possible dose, and monitor responses and increase doses, if necessary, under a physician’s supervision. People who have trouble falling asleep at a conventional bedtime – often staying awake until 3 a.m. or later – but then sleep well may have a disorder of sleep timing called the delayed sleep phase syndrome. Taking melatonin two hours before their current bedtime may help them fall asleep earlier. They would gradually move back the hour they take melatonin until they reach their desired bedtime.
Melatonin induces sleepiness and lowers body temperature slightly, perhaps a further aid to sleep since temperature normally falls around the time sleep begins. Several small studies of individuals suggest that some people with trouble falling asleep and/or staying asleep may benefit from taking melatonin at bedtime. However, there have been no large-scale controlled studies as yet. Responses vary considerably between individuals. Again, one should start with the lowest possible dose, and monitor responses and increase doses, if necessary, under a physician’s supervision. People who have trouble falling asleep at a conventional bedtime – often staying awake until 3 a.m. or later – but then sleep well may have a disorder of sleep timing called the delayed sleep phase syndrome. Taking melatonin two hours before their current bedtime may help them fall asleep earlier. They would gradually move back the hour they take melatonin until they reach their desired bedtime. Other people have the
