A 2018 study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine revealed that one in four Americans develop insomnia each year. If you're one of them, you might consider turning to melatonin in order to get some much-needed shut eye. Unfortunately, it doesn't work for everyone. Some signs your body doesn't respond well to melatonin can include nausea, headaches, dizziness, mild tremors, irritability, low blood pressure, stomach cramps, or feelings of depression, Healthline reported.
What's more, John Hopkins noted on its website that people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, have an autoimmune or seizure disorder, and those who experience depression shouldn't use melatonin. For people who can take it, it should be a temporary solution, and John Hopkins recommended using melatonin for no longer than one to two months. "If melatonin for sleep isn't helping after a week or two, stop using it," Johns Hopkins sleep expert Luis F. Buenaver, Ph.D., C.B.S.M. said. "And if your sleep problems continue, talk with your health care provider."
In addition, "Your body produces melatonin naturally. It doesn't make you sleep, but as melatonin levels rise in the evening it puts you into a state of quiet wakefulness that helps promote sleep," Dr. Buenaver explained. While taking melatonin is generally safe, if your body doesn't need more of it, there's a chance it could make you feel tired during the day. If you're new to this sleep supplement, watch for these signs your body isn't responding well to melatonin.