Melatonin overdoses leading to severe toxicity and potentially fatal symptoms are rare at any dose, explains Glenna S. Brewster Glasgow, PHD, RN, assistant professor at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing from Emory in Atlanta.
“Taking high doses can still cause unwanted side effects and disrupt natural sleep habits,” said Dr. Brewster Glasgow.
“In children, melatonin overdose tends to have lighter symptoms compared to adults,” she says, “although the effects can last longer because of their smaller body size and slower metabolism.”
Brewster Glasgow says that signs of melatonin overdose may include:
- Severe drowsiness or prolonged sedation
- Confusion, disorientation and cognitive disorders
- Vertigo or loss of coordination
- Agitation or irritability
- Speech and tremors
- Psychotic effects such as hallucinations and nightmares, which are rare
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Drowsiness
- Short -term depression
- Low level anxiety
- Stomach cramps
- Low blood pressure
- Lower vigilance levels
- Convulsions, in children
“These light symptoms generally disappear after setting the dosage,” says Brewster Glasgow. “If you experience more serious symptoms, it is advisable to contact your health care provider.”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/VWH-GettyImages-2185107950-6aa883b7b00b4342b1ed73edf496ab0a.jpg?w=390&resize=390,220&ssl=1 "Don’t throw away the skin of your butternut squash: it may be the healthiest part")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Health-GettyImages-Repub-HealthiestOilForFrying-f82e943d763248ec8fa33c84b0b5fd98.jpg?w=390&resize=390,220&ssl=1 "5 Healthiest Oils for Cooking and Frying")
