Eight steps you can take to improve your sleep (9 Photos)
Jessica Synder Sachs on Jun 7, 2011 at 12:07PM
chime in now
Melatonin is another hormone associated with sleepiness. Normally, the brain releases melatonin in the evening, but as we age our brains tend to produce less of it. In studies of people over 70, five milligrams of melatonin a day helped ease insomnia. It’s not clear if melatonin would be as helpful for younger people, but it is a popular remedy for insomnia related to jet lag.
A word of caution: Melatonin can cause side effects for people taking a blood thinner such as warfarin, men with prostate problems and women trying to get pregnant, says Dr. Getsy, so check with your doc before you pop a melatonin pill. If you’re pregnant, stay away from this hormone altogether—it may increase your unborn child’s risk of developmental disorders.
