Both melatonin and alcohol help you fall asleep quickly. So, some individuals believe they can use them at the same time to boost the results.
You'll do almost anything for a decent night's sleep if you've hit a certain level of fatigue. But, no matter what you try, such as meditating, listening to relaxing music, or taking a warm shower, you still can't have a deep sleep. You decide to turn to melatonin supplements. You even try to take melatonin and alcohol in combination to sleep better.
Table Of Contents
TL;DR Should You Use Melatonin And Alcohol In Combination
Melatonin and alcohol are not supposed to be used together. The melatonin supplement's overall effectiveness is hampered by the presence of alcohol. Because both melatonin and alcohol are sedatives, there is a higher chance of mishaps or over-sedation.
What Is Melatonin?
Melatonin is a hormone produced by your brain in reaction to the darkness. Melatonin has a variety of functions in the body, but it is best recognized for keeping circadian rhythms in balance. The internal clock of the body is known as the circadian rhythm. It tells the body when it's time to sleep and when it's time to wake up.
The circadian "clock" in humans is located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) region of the brain. The SCN develops and maintains a regular sleep and waking cycle by using the daily pattern of light and dark.
The SCN relays information about light levels to the pineal gland, which is situated deep in the brain's center. Melatonin is produced by the pineal gland at night and blocked during the day.
Melatonin is found in a variety of foods. It is also available as a tablet or gummy supplement.
Melatonin As A Supplement
Melatonin deficiency can occur as a result of a poor lifestyle or other circumstances.
Artificial light exposure or a sedentary lifestyle, for example, can reduce or stop the generation of natural melatonin. As a result, people suffer from sleep deprivation and need to supplement with melatonin Singapore.
Should You Combine Melatonin And Alcohol
People frequently combine supplements with alcohol to enhance the sedative effects. Abuse of supplements is the term for this, and it can have negative health consequences.
Even though alcohol is a sedative that might make you sleepy after a few drinks, it has been shown to lower the amount of melatonin your body can produce. This may cause your sleep cycle to be disrupted. Alcohol can also influence your breathing by pushing some of the muscles around your airways to operate differently. If you have a respiratory problem, such as sleep apnea, this might make it difficult to sleep.
It's not a good idea to mix alcohol and melatonin because it can have adverse health consequences. Some of these side effects can be bothersome or even deadly.
Breathing Problems
Drinking alcohol while using melatonin pills can cause the muscles in your throat to loosen and lose their function, allowing the throat to shut and causing breathing issues. If you already have breathing problems or obstructive sleep apnea, this can be extremely dangerous to your health.
Heart Rate and Cardiac Function Issues
Melatonin and alcohol in combination can have significant impacts on heart rate and cardiac function. According to studies, this combination might cause a considerable drop in heart rate as well as influence the heart's physiological function. For individuals who already have cardiovascular difficulties, chronic heart failure, or congestive heart failure, this could be deadly.
Sleep Disturbances
Sleep Disturbances The combination of melatonin and alcohol, according to Dr. Nate Watson of SleepScore Labs, promotes repeated nightly awakenings, resulting in sleep deprivation and exacerbating insomnia. For those who are already sleep-deprived, this can be hazardous.
Other Symptoms
In addition to the above-mentioned main symptoms, those who combine alcohol and melatonin may experience tiredness, dizziness, high blood pressure, and anxiety.
Melatonin and alcohol can also create other significant problems. Both influence the liver's capacity to operate and manufacture vital enzymes, which is one of the main reasons for difficulties. Here's what else could arise:
- Redness and rashing in the face
- Swelling of hands, ankles, and feet
- Increased irritability and anxiety levels
- Fatigue and drowsiness
- Risk of falling
- Sudden unconsciousness or passing out
- Abnormally fast heartbeat
- Feeling cold and experiencing shivers
- Difficulty focusing, thinking, or concentrating
- Nightmares and vivid dreams
- Headache and nausea
While there appears to be some debate over how dangerous combining melatonin and alcohol is, it's preferable to remain on the safe side. Jessica Nouhavandi, PharmD, head pharmacist and owner of the accredited online pharmacy Honeybee Health, said, "You have to choose one or the other, even in little amounts." "Any potential melatonin negative effects can be amplified by alcohol." According to Dr. Nouhavandi, mixing the two can raise your chance of fainting, passing out, or having difficulties breathing.
That isn't the only reason why you should avoid having a glass of wine or a cocktail before bedtime.
"Alcohol can certainly help people fall asleep at the beginning of the night," Adam Sorscher, MD, sleep health director at Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital in Lebanon, NH, shared. "However, as it is metabolized throughout the night, alcohol tends to disturb sleep and create more middle-of-the-night awakenings." "It can also cause obstructive sleep apnea and snoring. As a result, alcohol usually has a deleterious impact on sleep."
How To Take Melatonin For Best Results
Supplements are available in doses ranging from one milligram (mg) to ten milligrams (mg). Check with your doctor to determine the appropriate dose for you and your body's metabolism. The dosage will vary depending on your health conditions, age, the reason you're taking it, and how long you've been taking it. Because melatonin is not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it is impossible to determine the correct amount for each individual. The dosage can also differ depending on the brand. The following are some basic melatonin guidelines:
- Melatonin is recommended by many doctors and dietitians to be taken 30 minutes before bedtime.
- You can consume melatonin in many ways. Tablets are the most common variety found in stores like Ultimate Sup Singapore. Also, the safest and most effective way to receive melatonin into your system is through pills.
- You should avoid activities that expose you to "blue light" after taking a melatonin tablet. Watching television or using a mobile device such as a smartphone are examples of these activities. Because of the brightness of these screens, this type of light can lead your body to create less melatonin. It can also reduce the effectiveness of a supplement.
- If you're using a melatonin medication to help you sleep, you should avoid drinking alcohol afterwards. Melatonin supplements come in various forms, including time-release. This implies that they require some time to be effective. Many of them start working within 30 minutes of being consumed. Having an alcoholic beverage disrupts this process, making the supplement less effective.
Should You Take Melatonin Every Night
You may use a melatonin supplement Singapore daily, but you should use it in a short term. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), short-term use of melatonin supplements holds promise for most adults and children. However, research on the long-term effects of melatonin supplementation is sparse.
According to some studies, long-term melatonin use in adults may cause minor negative effects when compared to a placebo. There has been little research regarding the long-term effects of melatonin use in youngsters, too.
Because melatonin levels normally decrease during the start of puberty, there is some risk that long-term melatonin use in children may postpone puberty onset. Nevertheless, more research is required.
To conclude, it is not safe to take melatonin and alcohol together. If you take melatonin, it's better if you don't have any alcohol in your system or if you wait a long time after you've had any. Wait 2-3 hours before using melatonin as a sleep aid, depending on how much you've had to drink. In case you need more support, drop a visit to Ultimate Sup Singapore. We'll help you choose the best Natrol melatonin supplement for yourself and how to use it properly.
Related Articles
