Melatonin: Difference between revisions

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Melatonin is commonly used as a medication for insomnia; however, there is insufficient scientific evidence to prove any benefit in this area.<ref>Management of Insomnia Disorder [Internet]. | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26844312</ref> It is sold over-the-counter in most pharmacies within the United States and Canada. In other countries, it may require a prescription or not be available.

It should be noted that when purchasing melatonin, dosages may range from 3 - 10mg. While not dangerous, this dosage range is well beyond the effective dose of .25 mg, and may increase instances of drowsiness the next day.<ref>Phase-dependent treatment of delayed sleep phase syndrome with melatonin | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16295212</ref>

It should be noted that when purchasing melatonin, dosages may range from 3 - 10mg. While not dangerous, this dosage range is well beyond the effective dose of .25 mg, and may increase instances of drowsiness the next day.<ref> Phase-dependent treatment of delayed sleep phase syndrome with melatonin | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16295212</ref>

==Chemistry==

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===Experience reports===

There are currently no anecdotal reports which describe the effects of this compound within our [[experience index]]. Additional experience reports can be found here:

* [https://erowid.org/experiences/subs/exp_Melatonin.shtml Erowid Experience Vaults: Melatonin]

*[https://erowid.org/experiences/subs/exp_Melatonin.shtml Erowid Experience Vaults: Melatonin]

==Toxicity and harm potential==

Melatonin is non-addictive, not known to be harmful, and has an [[Toxicity::extremely low toxicity]] relative to dose. Similar to other [[tryptamines]], there are relatively few physical side effects associated with acute melatonin exposure. Various studies have shown that in reasonable doses in a careful context, it presents no negative cognitive, psychiatric, or toxic physical consequences.

Melatonin appears to cause very few side effects as tested in the short-term (up to three months) at low doses. Two systematic reviews found no adverse effects of melatonin usage in several clinical trials, while comparative trials found the adverse effects headaches, dizziness, nausea, and drowsiness were reported about equally for both melatonin and placebo.<ref>The Efficacy and Safety of Exogenous Melatonin for Primary Sleep Disorders | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1490287/</ref><ref>Efficacy and safety of exogenous melatonin for secondary sleep disorders and sleep disorders accompanying sleep restriction: meta-analysis | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1370968/ </ref> Prolonged-release melatonin is safe with long-term use of up to 12 months.<ref>Melatonin prolonged release: in the treatment of insomnia in patients aged ≥55 years. | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23044640</ref>

Melatonin appears to cause very few side effects as tested in the short-term (up to three months) at low doses. Two systematic reviews found no adverse effects of melatonin usage in several clinical trials, while comparative trials found the adverse effects headaches, dizziness, nausea, and drowsiness were reported about equally for both melatonin and placebo.<ref>The Efficacy and Safety of Exogenous Melatonin for Primary Sleep Disorders | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1490287/</ref><ref> Efficacy and safety of exogenous melatonin for secondary sleep disorders and sleep disorders accompanying sleep restriction: meta-analysis | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1370968/ </ref> Prolonged-release melatonin is safe with long-term use of up to 12 months.<ref>Melatonin prolonged release: in the treatment of insomnia in patients aged ≥55 years. | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23044640</ref>

===Lethal dosage===

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==Legal status==

*'''Canada:''' Melatonin is freely available to purchase as a dietary supplement and can be found at most pharmacies and grocery stores across the country.

*'''Germany:''' Melatonin is a prescription medicine, according to Anlage 1 AMVV.<ref>https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/amvv/anlage_1.html</ref>

*'''India:''' Melatonin is legal to purchase as a dietary supplement.{{citation needed}}

*'''United Kingdom:''' Melatonin is a licensed prescription-only medicine (POM) in the United Kingdom.{{citation needed}} It is not a criminal offense to possess this medicine without a valid prescription. This medicine can legally be obtained with a valid prescription or through legal import of the medicine for personal use as outlined in Section 13 of the Medicines Act 1968.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/67/section/13|title = Medicines Act 1968 Section 13}}</ref>

*'''United States:''' Melatonin is listed as an uncontrolled substance and is legal to possess and distribute, and is freely available to purchase as a dietary supplement.

*'''Italy:''' Melatonin is legal to purchase as a dietary supplement.{{citation needed}}

*'''Switzerland:''' Melatonin can only be obtained with a medical prescription. <ref>Circadin® 2 mg Retardtabletten sind in Apotheken nur gegen ärztliche Verschreibung erhältlich. | https://compendium.ch/mpub/pnr/1141302/html/de</ref>

==See also==

*[[Responsible use]]

*[[Neurotransmitter]]

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==External links==

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melatonin Melatonin (Wikipedia)]

*[https://erowid.org/smarts/melatonin/ Melatonin (Erowid Vault)]

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 Melatonin is commonly used as a medication for insomnia; however, there is insufficient scientific evidence to prove any benefit in this area.<ref>Management of Insomnia Disorder [Internet]. | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26844312</ref> It is sold over-the-counter in most pharmacies within the United States and Canada. In other countries, it may require a prescription or not be available.
-It should be noted that when purchasing melatonin, dosages may range from 3 - 10mg. While not dangerous, this dosage range is well beyond the effective dose of .25 mg, and may increase instances of drowsiness the next day.<ref>Phase-dependent treatment of delayed sleep phase syndrome with melatonin | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16295212</ref>
+It should be noted that when purchasing melatonin, dosages may range from 3 - 10mg. While not dangerous, this dosage range is well beyond the effective dose of .25 mg, and may increase instances of drowsiness the next day.<ref> Phase-dependent treatment of delayed sleep phase syndrome with melatonin | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16295212</ref>
 ==Chemistry==
@@ Line 42: / Line 42: @@
 ===Experience reports===
 There are currently no anecdotal reports which describe the effects of this compound within our [[experience index]]. Additional experience reports can be found here:
-* [https://erowid.org/experiences/subs/exp_Melatonin.shtml Erowid Experience Vaults: Melatonin]
+*[https://erowid.org/experiences/subs/exp_Melatonin.shtml Erowid Experience Vaults: Melatonin]
 ==Toxicity and harm potential==
 Melatonin is non-addictive, not known to be harmful, and has an [[Toxicity::extremely low toxicity]] relative to dose. Similar to other [[tryptamines]], there are relatively few physical side effects associated with acute melatonin exposure. Various studies have shown that in reasonable doses in a careful context, it presents no negative cognitive, psychiatric, or toxic physical consequences.
-Melatonin appears to cause very few side effects as tested in the short-term (up to three months) at low doses. Two systematic reviews found no adverse effects of melatonin usage in several clinical trials, while comparative trials found the adverse effects headaches, dizziness, nausea, and drowsiness were reported about equally for both melatonin and placebo.<ref>The Efficacy and Safety of Exogenous Melatonin for Primary Sleep Disorders | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1490287/</ref><ref>Efficacy and safety of exogenous melatonin for secondary sleep disorders and sleep disorders accompanying sleep restriction: meta-analysis | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1370968/ </ref> Prolonged-release melatonin is safe with long-term use of up to 12 months.<ref>Melatonin prolonged release: in the treatment of insomnia in patients aged ≥55 years. | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23044640</ref>
+Melatonin appears to cause very few side effects as tested in the short-term (up to three months) at low doses. Two systematic reviews found no adverse effects of melatonin usage in several clinical trials, while comparative trials found the adverse effects headaches, dizziness, nausea, and drowsiness were reported about equally for both melatonin and placebo.<ref>The Efficacy and Safety of Exogenous Melatonin for Primary Sleep Disorders | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1490287/</ref><ref> Efficacy and safety of exogenous melatonin for secondary sleep disorders and sleep disorders accompanying sleep restriction: meta-analysis | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1370968/ </ref> Prolonged-release melatonin is safe with long-term use of up to 12 months.<ref>Melatonin prolonged release: in the treatment of insomnia in patients aged ≥55 years. | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23044640</ref>
 ===Lethal dosage===
@@ Line 59: / Line 60: @@
 ==Legal status==
 {{legalStub}}
 *'''Canada:''' Melatonin is freely available to purchase as a dietary supplement and can be found at most pharmacies and grocery stores across the country.
-*'''Germany:''' Melatonin is a prescription medicine, according to Anlage 1 AMVV.<ref>https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/amvv/anlage_1.html</ref>
 *'''India:''' Melatonin is legal to purchase as a dietary supplement.{{citation needed}}
 *'''United Kingdom:''' Melatonin is a licensed prescription-only medicine (POM) in the United Kingdom.{{citation needed}} It is not a criminal offense to possess this medicine without a valid prescription. This medicine can legally be obtained with a valid prescription or through legal import of the medicine for personal use as outlined in Section 13 of the Medicines Act 1968.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/67/section/13|title = Medicines Act 1968 Section 13}}</ref>
 *'''United States:''' Melatonin is listed as an uncontrolled substance and is legal to possess and distribute, and is freely available to purchase as a dietary supplement.
+*'''Italy:''' Melatonin is legal to purchase as a dietary supplement.{{citation needed}}
+*'''Switzerland:''' Melatonin can only be obtained with a medical prescription. <ref>Circadin® 2 mg Retardtabletten sind in Apotheken nur gegen ärztliche Verschreibung erhältlich. | https://compendium.ch/mpub/pnr/1141302/html/de</ref>
 ==See also==
 *[[Responsible use]]
 *[[Neurotransmitter]]
@@ Line 71: / Line 75: @@
 ==External links==
 *[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melatonin Melatonin (Wikipedia)]
 *[https://erowid.org/smarts/melatonin/ Melatonin (Erowid Vault)]