Melatonin High Dosage Experiences & Dangers of Recreational Use

Can taking a high dosage of melatonin produce a “buzzed” effect? The recreational use of melatonin supplements to get high is a concerning trend, but users caution against the potential side effects.

Melatonin is a hormone that our bodies produce in the pineal gland. It is released when it is dark out and drops off when it is light, suggesting that it is involved in regulating our circadian rhythms and sleep cycles.

In recent years, melatonin has been synthesized in laboratories and released in supplement form. Melatonin tablets have become a popular option as a natural sleep aid with low risk of side effects.

However, high doses of melatonin can result in psychological effects similar to a hypnogogic state. Some users report feeling very relaxed, while others report hallucinations or impaired cognition. Many report serious side effects, such as memory loss, disorientation, confusion and disrupted sleep patterns.

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How Is Melatonin Normally Used?

Melatonin is used to for insomnia, shift work disorder, sleep-wake cycle disturbances, jet lag, circadian rhythm disorders in the blind and other sleep disorders.

Research shows that it is effective for alleviating symptoms of primary insomnia and it may have benefits for certain types of secondary insomnia. For these purposes, melatonin is taken in pill or capsule form approximately 30 minutes before bedtime.

Melatonin can also help prevent sleeplessness in hospital settings, where bright light and disturbances can make sleep difficult.

Melatonin supplements also have an anti-anxiety effect and can promote better moods for some users. Recent research suggests this supplement has anti-aging benefits and it demonstrates efficacy as an anti-oxidant.

There is some evidence that melatonin, when applied topically, can prevent sunburn when it is applied before sun exposure.

But what are the recreational effects of intentionally taking too much melatonin in a single dose? Will it make you high and is it safe?

Will Melatonin Make You High?

There is no formal research into whether you can get high from melatonin. There are, however, anecdotal reports of melatonin’s recreational use on forums like Reddit and Erowid.

Users there report a melatonin buzz that comes from taking high dosages of melatonin or combining it with other drugs such as cannabis.

The reports on how much melatonin to take to get high are varied. In one Reddit post, a user says that he and several college-aged friends took anywhere from 15 milligrams to 50 milligrams. All were males weighing between 150 and 180 pounds.

Some consumed only melatonin, while others combined it with cannabis. At least one user was a daily user of the ADHD stimulant medication Adderall, as well. They reported intense intoxication and a feeling similar to extreme drunkenness.

Dangers of High Melatonin Doses

In almost all cases, users describe severe side effects from overusing melatonin, especially when taking high doses for several days in a row.

One Erowid user combined 5 mg melatonin with 10mg of the synthetic psychedelic drug 2C-P. The user reported a more intense and immediate effect than they had when using 2C-P alone. Additionally, they felt that their breathing became shallow and infrequent.

One user experienced severe insomnia that lasted 48 hours after ceasing melatonin use. Another reported severe brain fog and confusion after taking large doses of melatonin over a period of two weeks.

Another user describe the experience of a friend who demonstrated symptoms of transient global amnesia – a temporary episode of memory loss.

While there has never been a case of fatal overdose from taking melatonin, high doses have been reported to cause extreme drowsiness. Severe health risks can occur when combining melatonin with other drugs as well.

There is also a concern that overuse of melatonin in those under 18 could cause changes in gonadal development. Never use melatonin at a higher than recommended dosage and do not take it for long periods of time, unless instructed to do so by your doctor.

How to Take Melatonin Safely

Melatonin is generally recognized as safe for most individuals when taken at the recommended doses. In most cases, people take between .5 and 6 mg daily.

The quantities used and the duration of use depend on the effects desired. In studies on melatonin’s effects, the following doses were used:

• Those who wish to increase REM sleep took 3 mg daily for 4 weeks during one study.
• In another, individuals who wanted to reduce the amount of time that it took them to fall asleep took 6 mg per night.
• Individuals traveling east through five time zones or more have found 2 to 3 mg melatonin useful when taken at the local bedtime on their day of arrival and for two to five nights after that. Either slow-release or fast-release melatonin s useful. When traveling west, the benefits of melatonin is unclear.
• Some evidence suggests that fast-release melatonin is more effective in people who wish to fall asleep more quickly.

There is some evidence that melatonin can be dangerous during pregnancy. It is also possible for high doses to interfere with ovulation. Because of this, persons who are pregnant or who wish to become pregnant are advised not to take melatonin.

While single doses of melatonin are considered safe for children, there is a possibility that long-term doses may have adverse effects.

Melatonin Side Effects and Adverse Reactions

Melatonin is not regulated as a drug. However, is pharmacologically active and is possible to experience dangerous effects if you overdose on melatonin.

Many people report intense or unpleasant dreams while under the influence of melatonin. This may be due to melatonin’s role in increasing REM sleep duration.

Most people, when taking melatonin at low doses such as 1.5 to 3 mg, do not report any side effects. In high normal doses — between 3 and 6 mg — some people experience grogginess the next morning.

The side effects of high Melatonin dosages – whether used recreationally or not – can be unpleasant. In the large doses recreational users report, adverse effects include:

• Dizziness
• Slurred speech
• Memory loss over a period of several days
• Brain fog
• Insomnia when melatonin use is stopped
• Unconciousness
• Increased susceptibility to intoxication from drugs or alcohol

PubMed includes one report of a 66-year-old man who took 24 mg melatonin as a relaxation and sleep aid the night before prostate surgery.

The man became lethargic and disoriented at this high dose. He recovered and continued taking 6 mg melatonin each night in conjunction with prescription sleep aids.

Melatonin may also interact with several medications. Reports indicate that melatonin may increase the effect of anticoagulent drugs for one hour after administration.

There are reports of minor bleeding in some people taking melatonin with warfarin. Melatonin may also increase the frequency of seizures in some people who are taking anticonvulsants.

If you take a high dose of melatonin and begin to experience side effects, immediately seek out medical attention and discontinue use of the product.

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