One big difference between your body’s normal production of melatonin and the use of melatonin dietary supplements is that usually your body secretes this substance from your pineal gland in a form and in an amount that fits the circumstances the body finds itself in. If, on the other hand, you are having sleeping problems and suspect a supplement of melatonin will help, then you are totally in the dark about the correct amount and when to take it. On top of that, introducing this hormone blindly, from outside, may result in melatonin side effects that catch you off guard.
For example, some side effects of melatonin relate to the worsening of conditions people already have. Melatonin can affect the autoimmune system as it goes to work, either improving an existing autoimmune condition, or making it worse. The problem is that exactly what results will occur just can’t be accurately predicted. So even if it seems logical that the hormone that regulates your sleep ought to be used to help your sleep issues, the melatonin solution may still not be advisable if you’ve got an autoimmune disorder.
The www.mayoclinic.com website lists several other melatonin side effects that sound relatively minor on paper, but which could end up being almost as uncomfortable as being exhausted from lack of sleep. Headaches, dizziness and abdominal discomfort are sometimes as difficult to live with as insomnia. But take a physiological effect like a headache, and add other effects like being confused or suffering from sleepwalking when you do sleep, and suddenly the effects of this miracle sleep supplement might seem less than benign, not to mention alarming.
All of this speaks to the wisdom of thorough investigation, so you will be aware of potential melatonin side effects before you begin taking supplements. In the majority of cases, using this hormone supplement as a sleep aid will bring some degree of relief. In fact, the major authoritative medical websites all consider the supplement to be safe, at least for the short term. Yet all strongly recommend that you have a doctor supervising you even if you take the supplement for just a couple of weeks.