Download FREE Practo app
Get ₹200 HealthCash
Sleep problem
I have been having sleep problems from past 2 years and to fix this i have been taking melatonin for 4 months and seen improvement in my sleep can i take melatonin forever because i get insomnia from not taking it .
Answers (27)
Get your queries answered instantly with Care AI FREE
20000+ health queries resolved in last month
Melatonin generally safe hota hai, lekin ise long-term daily habit bana lena ideal nahi hota.
Aapko jo “melatonin band karte hi neend nahi aati” feel ho raha hai, wo actual dependency nahi balki underlying sleep cycle issue (insomnia pattern) ki wajah se hota hai.
Good thing ye hai ki isko properly reverse kiya ja sakta hai
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Didn't find the answer you are looking for?
Talk to experienced doctor online and get your health questions answered in just 5 minutes.
+146
Melatonin is generally safe for short-term use, prolonged use might disrupt your body’s natural production of the hormone and lead to dependence.
It’s best to consult with a healthcare provider to assess your sleep issues and explore other potential solutions. They can help determine if melatonin is the best option for you or if there are other strategies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) or addressing underlying factors like stress or lifestyle habits, that might be more beneficial for long-term sleep improvement.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
See generally insomnia can be relived my certain lifestyle changes , such as having aa proper diet, certain exercises, aa fixed sleep schedule. Melatonin isn’t something that has to be used for a long time but recommended for a short period of time.
Next Steps
My advice would be u should consult a psychiatrist for proper evaluation and solution.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Melatonin is good for short term use, but not good for forever use. It can be used intermittently. It can cause side effects like headache, dizziness, nausea, day time drowsiness, night mares.Efficacy can be reduced after long time use.
If insomnia occurs for a long time, particularly in young age, there is definitely some underlying cause, could be stress, anxiety, overwork, some underlying health issue.
Please try to sleep without melatonin intermittently.
Avoid heavy meals in evening, eat early.
Try reading a good book, saying prayers or meditation at bed time. Use clean, soft, lose night clothes, clean bedding. Room should be quiet, dark.
Try above measures and then contact me online.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
It would be better to take magnesium along with it and long time use is not recommended
Kindly consult for further details
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Yes
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Yes you can.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Melatonin can be taken for long term without significant problems if taken at minimal dose. But you may not need it to take indefinitely.
Underlying cause of insomnia needs to be assesed and once its taken care of,the sleep will improve.Detailed history and psychiatric assesment needs to be done.
For consultation,message on nine two zero two eight three three eight five three.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Yes
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Hi dear,
I'm a general physician, somnologist, and clinical hypnotherapist. Melatonin being a natural hormone is not addictive in nature. So you can taper the dose over a period of 15 days and stop taking it altogether. Although it is not known to be harmful, but physiologically it is not suggested to take hormones over long term because it interfere in its biological synthesis and normal age nadir.
Next Steps
Taper melatonin with replacement with 'sleep hygiene' principles and self hypnosis techniques.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
What kind of job for you? (Occupation history)
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Try to take melatonin alternate night gradually ,sleep early ,try to keep the room pitch dark.
Next Steps
You must consult a Neurologist/Psychiatrist
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
U may take foods like two piece of cashews during night as it contain natural melatonin.
Try to be in dim light ,opt for early dinner,no screen after evening,light calming mediative music help you in relaxing and well help you in betterment of sleep .
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Yes u can
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
While Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone in the body, taking it as an external supplement forever is not recommended. Long-term use can lead to 'habituation,' where your brain might reduce its own natural melatonin production, making you more dependent on the pill. Since you are only 22, it is crucial to identify the root cause of your insomnia—whether it's lifestyle-related, stress, or high screen time. You should aim to taper off the supplement gradually while improving your natural sleep cycle."
Next Steps
"Try 'Sleep Hygiene' techniques:
No screens (phone/laptop) at least 1 hour before bed, as blue light blocks natural melatonin.
Keep your room dark and cool.
Wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends.
Avoid caffeine (tea/coffee) after 4 PM.
Try magnesium-rich foods or a warm bath before sleeping to relax your muscles."
Health Tips
"Do not stop melatonin abruptly if you have been taking it for months; it might cause 'rebound insomnia.' Consult a doctor to create a tapering schedule. If your sleep issues are accompanied by persistent anxiety or low mood, consider a consultation with a psychiatrist or counselor to rule out underlying psychological factors."
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Half the battle is won- you know that sleep is an issue, a problem. Let's work on the other half. You are 22 so all reasons that may be metabolic in nature are not relevant. So this narrows down to lifestyle contributors. The list is exhaustive and probably known to you:
Screen before sleep.
Netflix syndrome.
Too spicy and too much food.
High carb food( all that's yummy while watching something), sodas or caffeine at night.
Long conversations at night.
Analysis of the day and some stress about it.
Temporary can also be a heavy workout.
Melatonin is very doable. You need to introspect if you are happy being dependent on it.
Next Steps
Give yourself a chance. see what from the above list can be reduced . Take one step at a time.
Try to set up a winding down routine before sleeping.
Health Tips
If Melatonin is your choice to fix this,then the only long term issue I see is,the desire to increase the dosage because the current one feels inadequate.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Long term use could increase chances to get side effects.
For insomnia, to narrow the cause there are blood tests and other methods to find the cause. Will require consultation.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Hi, melatonin is generally safe for short-term use, but it’s not ideal to depend on it long-term without addressing the root cause of insomnia. The fact that you can’t sleep without it suggests an underlying sleep cycle issue.
Next Steps
Focus on sleep hygiene (fixed sleep time, no screens before bed, limit caffeine). Gradual tapering may be needed instead of stopping suddenly.
Health Tips
Please book a video consultation with me so I can assess your sleep pattern in detail and guide a proper long-term plan.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Sohan Kulria
General Physician
5 yrs exp
Firozabad
If you want to discuss your problem in more detail, feel free to message me on WhatsApp at nine one one nine two five five six nine nine for a detailed discussion
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Yuvraj Arora Monga
General Physician
28 yrs exp
Delhi
Longterm use of melatonin might cause dependence. So avoid to use it for long time. Sleep isscan be managed well with the help of ayurveda medicines and lifestyle changes. Please consult us for further details.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Gaurav Jaiswal
General Physician
6 yrs exp
Jhansi
Avoid fried and spicy food
Water intake more
Do connect and consult
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Ravi Kumar Nadella
General Physician
18 yrs exp
Hyderabad
Yes
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Anish Dey
Internal Medicine
4 yrs exp
Baleswar
There are no significant side effects of melatonin.
Still I would suggest you to reduce the dose/ frequency gradually.
And for sleep disturbances, let start with some life style modifications
- meditations , exercise
- avoiding evening time caffeine or drinks
- avoid screen time 1 hour before bed time
All these changes will improve your sleep quality gradually over days.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Suraj Sharma
General Practitioner
4 yrs exp
Jaipur
Do consult
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Vetsa Sri Krishna Chaitanya
General Physician
7 yrs exp
Rajahmundry
Need a few more details please consult for further evaluation and treatment
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Chaithra H
General Physician
5 yrs exp
Bangalore
Psychiatrist
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Anuj Mothsra
General Physician
6 yrs exp
Jhunjhunu
Can help you, kindly consult and provide detailed history for proper diagnosis and further management
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Articles you may like
Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
The question asked on this page is a free question. You can ask a free health question by downloading the Practo app.
Articles you may like
Tell us what's troubling you
Tell us what's troubling you
Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.