By To Sleep, Perchance to Dream
Whether you just worked a night shift and you’re trying to sleep during the day, or you’re trying to sleep at night but you just can’t, you’re likely trying to figure out how to get to sleep without resorting to prescription drugs. If so, melatonin may help you as it does others.
Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone produced in the pineal gland. It’s believed that melatonin helps regulate your sleep cycle. It’s available in most drug stores and in many natural supplement stores. The average dose for sleep is about 3 to 5 mg, taken about a half hour before bedtime.
There are people who should not take melatonin without first speaking to their physician. These include those who have:
- Migraines
- Personal or family history of depression
- Certain eye diseases, such as retinitis pigmentosa
