Melatonin Dangerous For Minors

[Erol512]

I've spent some time looking around for where I can buy Melatonin in the area. I've tried to find 1mg supplements as opposed to the usual 3mg, as I thought it might be dangerous to take the regular dose for extended periods of time. Just a preliminary question, is it dangerous to take Melatonin daily for a long time? Is it different between 1mg and 3mg? Would I be better off taking 3mg? I found one place that has it, but is a fair drive away. My mom knew of a vitamin store where she works, so she went and checked whether they have it. They do. But, when she talked to someone who worked there, she was told that it's dangerous to take Melatonin if you're under 18 (I'm 15). Is this true? I know a friend who was perscribed melatonin for insomnia, so I doubt it, but I'd like to know whether anyone has knowledge on this. Thanks.

[Chainsaw Kitten]

Melatonin is widely used for all ages and so far no dangerous side-effects have really been found. I used it myself for a while and I have many friends who still do. Whatever your mom was told is untrue.

[Zaltoa]

You have to be 18 because it acts on the CNS I think, and minors could abuse it and take alot.

[Ev]

"Alchohol is very very bad until you are 21... Then it becomes very very good" [/b] Sorry if I messed up the quote

[HyperSniper]

Melatonin is a totally natural substance found in almost all living creatures... It's totally safe, unless you take it in conjunction with MAOIs. Then you can have an overdose and then you're in trouble. Which is probably the reason why they will not sell it to minors.

[Erol512]

Thanks for all the replies. I did a bit more research. I suspect that the restrictions on selling melatonin to minors and the warnings against using it if you're under 18 years of age are mostly because not much is known about melatonin. However, one particular article about melatonin brought me to decide to lay off for a couple more years. I recommend that you read the label on the bottle of melatonin. Some people should not use it. It is a naturally occurring hormone, however depending on your age and health (especially of your endocrine system, or hormonal system) melatonin use may not be an option. Children or teenagers should definitely not use melatonin. If you are not done with puberty, according to my research of biology texts, melatonin may not be the only hormone playing a part in your sleep patterns. It is difficult to say what kind of effect melatonin my have on teens, but I conjecture that it may cause depression and difficulty falling asleep or waking up. Don’t think that just because you have body hair that you can take melatonin. Be honest with yourself, if you think that you may not have an average adult hormonal balance do not use melatonin.[/b] http://www.erowid.org/experiences/exp.php?ID=12521 Although I doubt that depression and difficulty falling asleep or waking up (though maybe the latter later on) woud occur if I took melatonin, and any side effects would be minor, I'll stay with B6 for now. I can always use it in a few years, that is, if I don't go on Uberman.

[Asymptote]

Does anybody know anything about the effect of melatonin on allergies? I've run across some anecdotes suggesting that melatonin might make allergies worse, or even cause severe reactions. Is this just nonsense? I ask because I'd like to add melatonin to my supplement regimen, but since it's pollen season right now, I don't want to risk it.