Can you OD on meletonin

[Thesleaze]

I took a few melatonin to help with my sleeping problem and I wanted to know how many it takes before you OD

[gymdandee]

True!!

[Paxiled]

There's hardly anyone else on here!

[gymdandee]

Come on Pax, I'm just having some fun with you! I enjoy the arguments!!
I can't remember you questioning anyone else! :>)

[Paxiled]

Hey, guys, I'm not "after" anyone -- I'm just in favor of clarity and information that purports to be accurate.   We all post things that can be questioned or clarified.  That isn't going "after" anyone.  And Gym, the reason I respond to you more than others is that you print more information than others, and most of it is from suspect sources -- do you really believe people who post on here should not see any information other than what you post?

[gymdandee]

Hello caregiver222, I guess Paxiled is now after you, and is leaving me alone
for now! :>)

[caregiver222]

I am NOT  in favor of regulating vitamins. I simply wanted to point out that melatonin is a polypeptide, a hormone and a signaling substance that regulates many functions of the body.

The argument to make melatonin prescription was made by others.

[Paxiled]

I don't understand the comment it is not a vitamin.  Vitamins also are powerful signaling substances.  So is food.  So is water.  Should we make everything we consume a prescription required substance?  Melatonin has been very well studied, for whatever that's worth, but you can't patent it as it's a natural substance so there wouldn't be anyone to make it if it were a prescription only substance, making it in all practicality unavailable at all.  Just curious as to how you would go about regulating, say, Vitamin B6, which can't be patented, signals the body to manufacture many neurotransmitters in combination with other substances, and can cause neuropathy.  Prescription only?  How about alcohol?  Prescription only?  

[caregiver222]

That's a good question It may have a name that suggests harmlessness, but melatonin in a powerful signaling substance that affects many body functions. It is not a "vitamin",  There is an argument it should be prescription. At age 15 there should be no reason to use it.

[Paxiled]

In rat studies they couldn't kill a rat with it, but those were old studies.  But melatonin doesn't work better at higher doses, it actually works better with lower doses.  The original studies years ago were abandoned because in research you usually start with a high dose to maximize the chance of finding promising avenues.  But the higher doses didn't work.  Later, others returned to melatonin and used much smaller doses, and they worked.  It's usually recommended for most people to take 1mg or even less, though some will need a little more.  Taking a lot doesn't help.