interesting how melatonin synthesis ramps up in response to circadian stress. wouldn’t that suggest its presence is less a sign of optimal health and more a signal that the cell is in defensive mode? in which case, chronically elevated melatonin might not indicate restfulness but energetic insufficiency?
I would like to know why some people can tolerate high doses of melatonin, while others cannot even tolerate a 3 mg pill. Is it due to a metabolic deficiency, similar to how some people metabolize caffeine faster or slower? Or could it be a deficiency in certain nutrients or cofactors—such that, if supplemented, melatonin would be metabolized more efficiently?
I couldn’t “tolerate” 1 mg of sublingual melatonin but I “tolerate” 50 mg nightly just fine. I believe I was taking too low of an amount for me. One mg gave me the feeling of having too much to drink. I have taken more than 50 mg nightly but I feel like 50 mg is my personal sweet spot of melatonin.
Well, 50 mg is a massive dose that no one should naturally need so you’re most likely fixing something that’s wrong.
That said, melatonin is cleared from plasma very quickly, so I think it’s possible for a high dose to be inadequate if it’s supposed to put you to sleep, because plasma melatonin is what helps put you to sleep.
I find this article fascinating. I've been following closely the research of Doris Loh and Russell J. Reiter and I can confirm melatonin at high dosis can address serious issues. I take 2000 mgs daily. There is not feedback loop nor other nonsense, so sleep actually improves. 100% agree high amounts are unnecessary for healthy individuals
There is a website that provides support for withdrawal from all psych drugs called Inner Compass: The Withdrawal Project. It was an amazing support for me when I was withdrawing from Prozac. I remember reading comments on the forum of people talking about the difficulty withdrawing from benzodiazepines but the support was extremely helpful for them.
Chris I was harmed by an Ssri lexapro and a benzo been off 11 years and my health hasn’t been the same. Do you with work with Individuals in terms of nutrient testing? Diet plan ect
I get a headache whenever I supplement melatonin. I take the supplement before bed. Is there any known reason why some are prone to get headaches whenever they take a melatonin supplement?
I take 1mg time released melatonin and it helps with sleep with no side effects. Just doubling the dose to 2mg gives me a morning headache. Fortunately, 1mg is enough.
Have you looked into researchers like Doris Loh and her megadosing of Melatonin and the spectacular claims that come with it? Quite the contrast in opinions around Melatonin. Your analysis seems more in line with Ray Peats view of melatonin as a stress hormone.
Thank you for your fantastic work. 10 years ago I took one 20 mg dose of Prozac and I had 8 Temporal Lobe Seizures that afternoon, for the first time. The seizures continued daily (despite discontinuing Prozac after 4 weeks), giving me Hippocampal Sclerosis, Temporal Lobe Atrophy and generalized epilepsy. Once a month around 1 AM during an emergency of seizure clusters, a dose of 50mg Melatonin works extremely well to stop them. However, I get accustomed to exogenous doses of any emergency seizure treatments very fast, so it is not a cure as much as solar-noon sun exposure and HIIT in the morning have been.
Great post, with the thorough elaboration you give every metabolic issue! I love
«I hereby dub melatonin the “guardian angel” of the mitochondria because:
• It is always present, keeping watch.
• You may go by never noticing it or believing it is there.
• When you need protection, that’s when it steps into action.»
interesting how melatonin synthesis ramps up in response to circadian stress. wouldn’t that suggest its presence is less a sign of optimal health and more a signal that the cell is in defensive mode? in which case, chronically elevated melatonin might not indicate restfulness but energetic insufficiency?
Intracellular yes, but who is measuring that?
I’ve never seen anyone measure their intracellular melatonin.
I would like to know why some people can tolerate high doses of melatonin, while others cannot even tolerate a 3 mg pill. Is it due to a metabolic deficiency, similar to how some people metabolize caffeine faster or slower? Or could it be a deficiency in certain nutrients or cofactors—such that, if supplemented, melatonin would be metabolized more efficiently?
What does “tolerate” mean?
I couldn’t “tolerate” 1 mg of sublingual melatonin but I “tolerate” 50 mg nightly just fine. I believe I was taking too low of an amount for me. One mg gave me the feeling of having too much to drink. I have taken more than 50 mg nightly but I feel like 50 mg is my personal sweet spot of melatonin.
Well, 50 mg is a massive dose that no one should naturally need so you’re most likely fixing something that’s wrong.
That said, melatonin is cleared from plasma very quickly, so I think it’s possible for a high dose to be inadequate if it’s supposed to put you to sleep, because plasma melatonin is what helps put you to sleep.
I find this article fascinating. I've been following closely the research of Doris Loh and Russell J. Reiter and I can confirm melatonin at high dosis can address serious issues. I take 2000 mgs daily. There is not feedback loop nor other nonsense, so sleep actually improves. 100% agree high amounts are unnecessary for healthy individuals
Considering all this how can one improve benzo withdrawals when trying to quit benzodiazepines? Thank you very much.
There is a website that provides support for withdrawal from all psych drugs called Inner Compass: The Withdrawal Project. It was an amazing support for me when I was withdrawing from Prozac. I remember reading comments on the forum of people talking about the difficulty withdrawing from benzodiazepines but the support was extremely helpful for them.
Question? Why do some people suffer unimaginable protracted withdrawals from ssris and some have no issues? Is it methylation? Genetics?
Stay tuned...
Chris I was harmed by an Ssri lexapro and a benzo been off 11 years and my health hasn’t been the same. Do you with work with Individuals in terms of nutrient testing? Diet plan ect
Also I have very detailed and comprehensive guide to nutrient testing -- see lab tests in menu and see cheat sheet in ebooks.
I do not work one-on-one but I will share here how to address it.
Ok thank
You? You’ll share it in your series of ssris topic?
I get a headache whenever I supplement melatonin. I take the supplement before bed. Is there any known reason why some are prone to get headaches whenever they take a melatonin supplement?
Probably vasodilation.
If that’s the case, what could it mean? I don’t like the headache so I’m not taking melatonin supplements.
I take 1mg time released melatonin and it helps with sleep with no side effects. Just doubling the dose to 2mg gives me a morning headache. Fortunately, 1mg is enough.
Have you looked into researchers like Doris Loh and her megadosing of Melatonin and the spectacular claims that come with it? Quite the contrast in opinions around Melatonin. Your analysis seems more in line with Ray Peats view of melatonin as a stress hormone.
I have read that melatonin is also related to dopamine production and taking melatonin can interfere with that... true?
If I take melatonin I feel very groggy and brain foggy the next day. Does this mean anything?
Does melatonin act as an antioxidant in the cell?
Thank you for your fantastic work. 10 years ago I took one 20 mg dose of Prozac and I had 8 Temporal Lobe Seizures that afternoon, for the first time. The seizures continued daily (despite discontinuing Prozac after 4 weeks), giving me Hippocampal Sclerosis, Temporal Lobe Atrophy and generalized epilepsy. Once a month around 1 AM during an emergency of seizure clusters, a dose of 50mg Melatonin works extremely well to stop them. However, I get accustomed to exogenous doses of any emergency seizure treatments very fast, so it is not a cure as much as solar-noon sun exposure and HIIT in the morning have been.