We all have problems sleeping from time to time. Any number of things – from the nerves you’re feeling the night before a big presentation to worries about your kids or even the neighbor’s dog – can have you tossing and turning. These days – even if you’re sleeping in luxurious comfort on a Kingsdown Body System Mattress or OMI mattress from Natural Sleep Mattress of Asheville – there is no shortage of worries to keep you up at night.
When they have a hard time sleeping, many people turn to melatonin, which is available over the counter in pill, capsule, liquid and chewable form. You’ll want to read the labels carefully. Some supplements are made from synthetic melatonin, others are made from natural melatonin, which is produced in the pineal glands of animals. Medical experts say that it is safer to stick with the synthetic version, as natural melatonin might contain viruses.
How Does Melatonin Work?
Melatonin is a hormone that occurs naturally in the body. It helps to regulate your normal sleep- wake cycle. “Normally, your body makes more melatonin at night. Levels usually start to go up in the evening once the sun sets. They drop in the morning when the sun goes up. The amount of light you get each day — plus your own body clock — set how much your body makes,” the experts at WebMD explain.
“Melatonin is generally safe for short-term use,” Brent A. Bauer, M.D. says on the Mayo Clinic website. “Unlike with many sleep medications, with melatonin you are unlikely to become dependent, have a diminished response after repeated use (habituation), or experience a hangover effect.”
Most people can take melatonin without a problem, but some people do experience side effects, such as:
- Feeling sleepy during the day
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Stomach upset/nausea
- Anxiety
- Crankiness
- A “heavy head” feeling
- Short-lived depression
WebMD also warns that, melatonin supplements can interact and potentially cause problems if you take certain medications, including:
- Blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants)
- Drugs that suppress the immune system (immunosuppressants)
- Diabetes drugs
- Birth control pills
And, of course, you should always tell your doctor if you’re thinking about taking any supplement, especially if you take any medicine or have a health condition.
And, if you think a new mattress might help you sleep better and offer some comfort, we want you to know that we are here for you. Natural Sleep Mattress is new to Asheville, but we want you to know that we have been helping people in Atlanta find luxury mattresses for years. And we are backed by more than two decades of experience in the mattress industry.
You must be logged in to post a comment.