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There will always be a debate about the efficacy of supplements of any nature, let alone those that occur naturally in our bodies. The debate aside, there are many supplements that are very effective, and in many cases, give better results than their prescriptive counterparts.

Melatonin falls into the later category. A naturally occurring chemical that regulates sleep patterns, melatonin has been available in pill form for many years, and has been touted and vilified accordingly. However, when properly used to support your natural sleep cycle, melatonin is incredibly effective.

I have a tendency toward insomnia when I am depressed. As I also suffer from migraine headaches (triggered by stress and lack of sleep), one of my friends recommended melatonin to me as an effective treatment for both. Certainly it is less expensive than my prescription migraine medicine, or even over-the-counter sleep medicines. I decided to try it. Since I had never taken it as a supplement before, I asked one of my support groups for their experiences. The results were very positive, everyone had seen a positive effect; the only caution I received was to take it only for short periods of time, three or four days, to help train my system into the new sleep pattern. With this in mind, I started with one milligram.

The results were astonishing. I began to fall asleep within half an hour. I would sleep very well, although there were still occasions when I would wake earlier than I intended. I always awoke refreshed the next day. About a year later, I found a melatonin/B-vitamin complex that aborts almost any migraines within fifteen minutes of taking it. Again, I sleep through the night (migraines are terrible insomnia-inducers), and the pain dissipates within fifteen to twenty minutes.

I have never suffered any adverse side effect, though when I take it too frequently, I find I don't sleep as well and wake up less refreshed. With that in mind, I limit myself to three nights a week, if necessary. It usually only takes me three days to reestablish my sleep cycle, so this works well for me.

Your own experience might vary, and I can only speak from my own, nor am I a medical professional; however, I would suggest trying melatonin before enlisting the help of a doctor. If, within a couple of weeks, you are still having problems, there might be an underlying solution that a doctor can diagnose or assist you with.

Learn more about this author, Sarah Fulkes.
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