A Melatonin quesion

**n00bf0rlyf3** · 08-05-2014 10:11 PM

I just got 5mg tablets (is that too high of a dose?). How long should I take them before I go to bed? And is it best if I woke up 6 hours later for a WBTB and hopefully catch the rem rebound or just sleep through the night?

**ThreeCat** · 08-05-2014 11:51 PM

Maybe depends on how much you weigh. When I use M I take two 3mg tablets so I think you are safe. I have taken 9mg and suffered no severe side effects. I would take them about an hour before bed. And yes, waking up after six hours is good if you want to have a lucid dream

**Whatsnext** · 08-06-2014 12:17 AM

I also take two 3mg tablets usually. I'm not sure if it helps me LD I just use it to help me sleep when I have to go to bed early. The REM rebound will probably come earlier than 6 hours. Melatonin has a half life of less than an hour so with 5mg it will probably only suppress REM for about 2 hours. At that point you will be dropping under 1mg. If I were to try to use melatonin to catch REM rebound I would probably try something like 30mg but I would not do that the first time... On an empty stomach, half an hour before bed works well. If you've eaten, you will need to do it earlier.

**snoop** · 08-06-2014 01:03 AM

Efficacy in melatonin causing sleepiness and REM suppression, and therefore possibly more vivid dreams exists at doses as low as 0.3mg. 3mg is really plenty of a dose. Taking too much can actually hamper attempts to sleep, with this effect occurring in some people in doses as low as 10mg. Most supplements provide more than enough, 1mg to 3mg is plenty, but ~6mg is still okay.

**Whatsnext** · 08-06-2014 01:21 AM

Originally Posted by snoop

Efficacy in melatonin causing sleepiness and REM suppression, and therefore possibly more vivid dreams exists at doses as low as 0.3mg. 3mg is really plenty of a dose. Taking too much can actually hamper attempts to sleep, with this effect occurring in some people in doses as low as 10mg. Most supplements provide more than enough, 1mg to 3mg is plenty, but ~6mg is still okay.

While a low dose of melatonin is indeed an effective sleep aid, it will not suppress REM.

But 50mg of melatonin has been noted to dramatically increase REM time.

**FryingMan** · 08-06-2014 08:20 AM

With all supplements, always start at minimal dosages and increase slowly. I find 1mg is plenty to promote sleep at bed-time on those nights where I need it. 3mg causes middle of the night insomnia sometimes, and vivid dreams in the latter part of the night sometimes. I wouldn't want to take more than 3mg given this effect on me.