This is an excellent link to learn the importance of certain natural substances that can help Parkinsons patients. intechopen.com/books/a-syno...
Note in particular the actions of Acytil Carnitine, Curcumin, Resveratrol, and Melatonin.
Worth the read.
For some reason that link isn't opening for me. But I looked up an academic article on the subject.
I was surprised to learn that not only can melatonin help with sleep, but it is also an antioxidant, AND it can support mitochondria. Go melatonin!
Anyone taking melatonin should be aware that it can cause a chronic gassy diarrhea.
Good to know. Thankfully, I am so far free from that side effect!
Oh gosh! Thanks for info. That's my problem at moment!
It is a cause-and-effect relationship a person is just not likely to realize. I discovered it through a similar chance comment online. I had been suffering this problem for months, and it took months for it to resolve after quitting the melatonin, but it did slowly improve and finally resolve. This needs to be a well-publicized warning.
It’s my understanding tho,
U should take it in intervals .
By that , meaning , stop taking it for a while so ur body will continue to create its own.
I use it sporadically and I take 1/2 the dose
Be well
C!
One other caution concerning melatonin:
Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interact with MELATONIN.
“Melatonin might slow blood clotting.
Taking melatonin along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding. Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.”
I take Clopidogrel due to an arterial stent & stumbled upon the above info when checking for drug interactions. Just FYI.
Vitamin E can have a blood thinning effect also.
Art
I didn’t know that. I really need the melatonin as I have horrible sleep issues, but am a little scared to after learning of its interactions with Plavix. Need to check with my cardiologist.
There are other natural sleep aids that help some people. Lemon balm, valerian, GABA, ashwagandha, chamomile and lavender to name a few. The three that work best for me are medical marijuana, melatonin and GABA in that order with MM being the most potent for me. There are also homeopathic remedies such as Calm Forte. CF doesn't work for me , but the friend that I gave my bottles to said it works great for her!
One that you can consider and I am currently experimenting with is Emotional Freedom Technique. It would be the most non-invasive of the bunch, but probably not for everyone. It utilizes finger tip tapping on known acupuncture meridian points to affect your subconscious to make changes as needed. Google it to see if it is something you would consider. There is tons of information about it on the web.
Art
Thanks, Art. I’ll look into all of those.
Hi slippy, the fact that I'm reading this very detailed scientific study on melatonin at 1 in the morning is probably all you need to know about how badly I can't sleep! Or I should say how badly I want to sleep! Melatonin has never worked for me but perhaps I never gave it a chance after reading this article I think I'd like to revisit it! I'm assuming you use melatonin is there a particular brand and amount that works for you? I'm all ears! I treat my PD naturally with mucuna and HDT but I take 1mg sometimes 2 of Xanax to go to sleep. I am desperately trying to find another solution. Thanks for posting this study!- Steven
Stevenmast,
I have never had melatonin work as a sleep aid unless I used a different method of taking it. I call that method melatonin 123. Let's say I want to go to bed at eleven. I take one melatonin at 9:00 pm, one melatonin at 10:00 pm and one melatonin at 11:00 or bedtime. This works for me almost every time. I can take all three tablets at 9:00pm or all three at 10:00 pm or all three at 11:00 pm and it does not put me to sleep, but 123 melatonin works for me. Melatonin production declines as we age and I'm sure that does not help either. Time released melatonin has not worked for me either.
My best guess why it works this way is because it sort of mimics the way our bodies produce it. As daylight fades to dark, our bodies start producing melatonin until it peaks around one in the morning. By using the 123 method, I feel I am getting closer to a more natural melatonin delivery and possibly getting the one in the morning peak.
The only natural thing I have used that works better by a little bit is medical marijuana, which is the best as far as a sleep aid for me, but melatonin is less expensive and I can take it with me when I travel.
Other things you can do to help improve your sleep is avoid tv and computer screens 3 hours before bed as these can trick my body into thinking that it is still daytime because the light is very bright that comes from these screens. Another thing that can help is to make sure the bedroom is dark as possible. You should not be able to see your hand in front of your face if the room is dark enough. Failing that, the soft fabric night glasses that completely block out light will be helpful as it confirms to your body that it is actually night time and should help your body to try and produce more melatonin.
Lastly, making sure you are exposed to natural sunlight in the first half of the day can help to align your bodies circadian rhythm. Not everyone can tolerate melatonin, but I don't have that problem and have been able to take up to 70 grams a day for months when I was experimenting with melatonin years ago.
Art
As usual thank you art! You mentioned melatonin 1 2 3 I just didn't understand what you were talking about. Is there a particular brand and dosage amount you recommend? I have my medical marijuana card but you're right it is expensive are you talking about with THC or without, what form? No need to respond tonight good night thank you!
I haven't found the brand to make much difference and the lowest capsule dose I have used this way is 5mg, but my current pills are 10 mg. For sleep they both work the same for me. I have not tried 123 with 3 mg or 1 mg pills.
The thing about the MM is that it is fast and reliable. With melatonin 123, sometimes I forget to take the second dose in which case I may try MM on that particular night. Yes, I use a high THC low CBD indica variety in vape or bud for sleep. The sativa tends to wake me up and make my mind start thinking which is good during the day if I want try and boost my creativity a bit, but not so good when I am trying to go to sleep!
Art
What is the dose of melatonin at the three different intervals?
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