How Much Melatonin Should You Take?

Written by Natalie Grigson, Writer

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In This Article

You’ll discover the recommended dosage of melatonin, its safety for children, optimal timing for consumption, and potential side effects.

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If you’re struggling to sleep, you may have considered taking melatonin supplements. After all, melatonin use is on the rise among both adults¹ and children² in the United States, and for good reason – research shows melatonin supplements could help improve overall sleep quality³.  

However, melatonin is not regulated as thoroughly as medications, so you’ll want to be careful about how much you take, when you take it, and the type of melatonin you’re buying. 

Please note: you should consult your healthcare provider before starting melatonin.

What Is the Recommended Dosage of Melatonin for Adults?

The body’s pineal gland naturally produces⁴ the melatonin hormone, and the amount of melatonin we naturally produce decreases as we age. Because of this, the recommended melatonin dosage will differ according to your age. 

Generally, doctors recommend between 0.3 and 5 milligrams (mg)⁵ of melatonin for adults. 

It’s important to note that less is usually better when it comes to melatonin. Experts at Cleveland Clinic recommend starting with the lowest possible dose⁶ – between 0.5 and 1 milligrams. 

After the age of 55, things change a little bit. This is when our bodies are producing far less melatonin. Some research suggests that taking the lowest possible dose⁷ (around 0.1 milligrams) will be best for older adults as this more closely mimics the body’s natural, lower production of melatonin. Other, more recent research says that 5 milligrams is the ideal dose⁸ for older adults since this will make up for the body’s lower production of melatonin. 

We are still learning a lot about melatonin’s dosage and various uses. If your dosage is enough to help you sleep better, you can stick with that – there is no need to increase your dosage⁹ over time. If this dose is too low, you can increase it by 1 milligram each week, not exceeding 5 milligrams if you’re over 55.⁸ 

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Is Melatonin Safe for Children?

Melatonin supplements are generally considered safe for kids¹⁰, as long as the dose is appropriate and any behavioral or environmental issues impacting their sleep are also addressed. However, melatonin supplements may affect children differently than adults for a few important reasons. 

Side effects are not common in children, but experts say side effects may include headaches, increased bedwetting, nightmares, dizziness, mood changes, and morning grogginess. They add that these side effects should go away once the child stops taking melatonin.¹⁰

There is also some concern that melatonin supplements may impact puberty. Shortly before puberty, melatonin levels drop¹¹, and researchers are working to find whether taking melatonin supplements during this time might impact this natural process, possibly delaying the onset of puberty.

Melatonin Dosage for Children

Because there is limited information available about melatonin’s effects on puberty, experts agree that it is best to use melatonin at the lowest effective dose for a short period of time for most children.¹⁰ 

• Under 3 Years Old: Children under three should not use melatonin. According to Boston Children’s Hospital, children are producing plenty of melatonin at this age, and their sleep issues are almost always behavioral in nature.¹⁰ 
• 3-5 Years Old: Children at this age should take a maximum of 1 milligram of melatonin¹². 
• 6-12 Years Old: Doctors recommend a maximum of 2.5-3 milligrams of melatonin in children between ages 6 and 12.¹² 
• 13+ Years Old: Doctors recommend a maximum of 5 milligrams of melatonin for children 13 and up.¹² 

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When Should I Take Melatonin?

The body naturally starts to produce melatonin about two hours¹³ before bedtime. To help your body’s natural process, experts with Johns Hopkins Medicine recommend taking melatonin supplements around this time as well – one to two hours before you plan on going to sleep.¹³

To maximize its effectiveness, you’ll also want to dim the lights and avoid looking at blue-light-emitting devices like smartphones, TVs, and laptops. The reason for this is that blue light can impede melatonin production, diminishing the supplement’s effectiveness.⁴

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Melatonin Side Effects

According to the National Health Service (NHS) of England, most people won’t experience side effects¹⁴, though they say potential side effects might include: 

• Headache
• Tiredness during the day
• Stomach ache or nausea
• Dizziness
• Irritability
• Vivid dreams or nightmares
• Dry or itchy skin
• Pains in arms or legs

If you experience these side effects, try lowering your dose. 

According to the NHS, the following side effects are rare, but they advise seeking medical help if you experience any of them: 

• Changes in eyesight or blurry vision
• Feeling faint or passing out
• Vertigo
• Confusion
• Nonstop bleeding or unexplained bruising

In rare cases, certain people may have an allergy to melatonin supplements (or an ingredient in them). Symptoms of an allergic reaction include swelling of the lips, tongue, or mouth; struggling to breathe, a tight-feeling throat, paling of the skin, sudden confusion or dizziness, going limp, or fainting.¹⁴ 

If you or somebody you know seems to be having an allergic reaction or a rare, serious side effect from taking melatonin, you should seek immediate medical care. 

Can I Take Too Much Melatonin?

Yes, you can take too much melatonin. Calls to poison control¹⁵ have gone up over the past decade regarding melatonin overdoses (taking too much melatonin), especially in children. 

The annual number of melatonin ingestions increased by 530 percent, and the number of hospitalizations and more serious outcomes from melatonin ingestion increased as well. The hospitalizations and more severe outcomes were mostly related to a rise in unintentional ingestions among children under five years old. Five children required mechanical ventilation, and two children passed away. It’s reported that both children who died were under the age of two.¹⁵

According to the University of Washington School of Medicine¹⁶, a person might exhibit the following signs if they’ve taken too much melatonin:

• Excessive sleepiness
• Vomiting and trouble breathing
• Headaches
• Blood pressure changes
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Changes in other hormone levels
• Mood problems

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How to Find Safe Melatonin

Melatonin is sold over-the-counter in the United States. However, the FDA doesn’t regulate the ingredients¹⁷ as they do with medication. Because of this, studies have found¹⁸ that the melatonin levels in certain supplements can be very different from what they list on the label. 

Consider the following tips when you look for a melatonin supplement:

1. Make sure your supplements are third-party approved – On the label, look for certifications from the U.S. Pharmacopia¹⁹ (USP) and NSF International²⁰. These certifications help ensure that your supplements only contain the exact ingredients listed on the label. 

2. Read through customer reviews –  Read through some unbiased customer reviews. How does this supplement seem to make other people feel? Have other customers experienced negative side effects? While everyone can react differently, you probably want to avoid a supplement with a bunch of bad reviews.

3. Make sure it’s the right dosage – When buying your supplement, make sure it contains the appropriate dosage. We also advise consulting your healthcare provider before taking any melatonin.

Check out our guide: Best Melatonin Supplements for Sleep

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Other Ways to Sleep Better

• Establish a calming nightly routine for yourself – Doing something relaxing each night, like meditating, reading, journaling, or taking a bath, should not only help you unwind but can also signal to your body that it’s time for bed.
• Create an ideal sleep environment – Your bedroom should be dark, quiet, and cool – sort of like a cave. You should also keep it clean and peaceful, and make sure you have a quality mattress to sleep on. 
• Keep a regular sleep schedule – Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day can help regulate your circadian rhythm and get your sleep schedule back on track. 
• Avoid alcohol – You might think that a nightcap will help you sleep easier, but research shows²¹ that alcohol can lead to more disrupted sleep and increase the risk of sleep-related breathing issues like snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.
• Limit afternoon naps – Taking naps in the afternoon can make sleeping at night more difficult. If you need to take a nap, we’d recommend limiting it to 20 minutes in the early afternoon.
• No late-night dinners – Eating a large meal just before bed can leave you feeling uncomfortable before bed – but so can going to bed hungry. If you need a late-night snack, we recommend something simple like whole wheat toast or a small bowl of oatmeal. These foods also trigger the release of serotonin²², which may help you sleep. 
• Try magnesium – If melatonin doesn’t seem like a good fit for you, magnesium supplements might be more your style. They are also considered to be quite safe and can help relax the body and mind before bed. 

Read more: Magnesium vs. Melatonin

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Frequently Asked Questions