8 replies to this topic

[Stuart Hayward]

Hi, 
I was just wondering is melatonin an effective tool for reducing anxiety-related insomnia?

My sleep has been reasonably good as-of-late, but any time I have something stressful upcoming (exam, interview etc), my brain has a tendency to start overthinking, worrying, and then worrying about a lack of sleep, which create a pretty vicious cycle and ultimately hinders my sleep quality.

I understand melatonin is effective for inducing sleep in general, but I was wondering if it has any sort of anxiolytic effect that might help to calm me down?

I currently do use blue-blocker glasses an hour before bed, as well as meditating (admittedly, I'm only 2 weeks into a mindfulness program) and taking supplements like arginine, bacopa, ashwaghanda, theanine, and magnesium, and whilst my sleep quality has improved a huge amount, when something daunting is upcoming, I struggle. 
Would it be safe and effective to take a relatively low dosage (1mg) of melatonin on a consistent basis to improve this?

 

[Candidatus]

At least some studies suggest it might be: http://www.ncbi.nlm..../pubmed/3462333

 

No need to take in on a consistent basis, just when you feel anxious. Personally, I use 1mg and it is high enough dose to promote sleepiness in me. Afaik, the physiological dose would be around 300mg (that's the amount your average adult releases during the night). You can get time release pill of 300mg, but I have no experience with them. http://www.amazon.co...e/dp/B00445HR3K

 

The 1mg melatonin is dirt cheap so it's definitely worth a try. 

 

Another suggestion: you can ask @Mind for his input since he seems to take Melatonin on a daily basis and he has probably done is research http://www.longecity.../3-daily-stack/

[Stuart Hayward]

Thankyou for the response, Candidatus! I'll message Mind and see what he says  

Yeah, I was thinking I'd start with something low like 1mg. How regularly do you take it? 

And is your project still going well? There hasn't been an update on here recently (or are you just posting on your website now?). 

[Candidatus]

Hi Stuart,

 

glad to help. I'm taking 1mg just sparingly - when I can't or forget to wear the red glasses in the evening. 1-2/week at most. It surely helps with sleep onset, but not so much with sleep quality.

 

Project is going well, many great things happening! Actually, I'm about to update the thread and my blog today. Thanks for asking 

[Stuart Hayward]

Awesome! I look forward to it  

[StevesPetRat]

Candidatus means 300 mcg by the way. I think.

Another caution with extended use is that if you're prone to depression it can worsen it.

[Candidatus]

@StevesPaRat

Sure, 300mcg. Thanks!

[sub7]

Candidatus means 300 mcg by the way. I think.

Another caution with extended use is that if you're prone to depression it can worsen it.

 

It definitely can

Does anyone know the MOA of the depressive effects?

And can anything be done to mitigate this unpleasant side effect?
 

[Stuart Hayward]

Thanks for the responses. Wasn't aware of the depression aspect - might be an issue for me :/ I've heard phenibut is also good for reducing anxiety and encouraging sleep - has anyone used it?