A 7-year old boy in San Diego, California had his parents worried when he accidentally ate 16 melatonin gummies. Concerned that the kid may have overdosed on melatonin, the family took him to the hospital, where he was given an examination and released later that evening. Upon release, doctors informed the family that their son hadn’t overdosed on melatonin but was fine. Here’s what happened…
1) What is Melatonin?
Melatonin is a hormone that helps you sleep. It’s produced by the pineal gland, which is located near the center of your brain. Its levels rise when it’s dark, stimulating sleepiness. The opposite happens when it’s light out. Some adults take melatonin supplements to help them fall asleep more easily or stay asleep longer. In most people, melatonin isn’t addictive, but some kids have taken large doses of it in an attempt to get high because they mistakenly believe that it’s a drug like marijuana or cocaine.
2) Why do people take Melatonin?
Some people take it for its sleep-promoting effects. Melatonin is a hormone that helps regulate the body’s sleep cycle, or circadian rhythm. Melatonin is produced naturally by the body to help you fall asleep at night, and it can also be taken as a supplement.
In some cases, people use melatonin to help with jet lag or shift work disorder. Some people with Alzheimer’s disease may find that taking melatonin supplements improves their mood or reduces agitation; however, this hasn’t been proven in clinical trials yet. It’s not clear how melatonin affects other conditions or medications, so talk to your doctor before taking it if you are pregnant or have another condition.
3) What are the side effects of taking too much Melatonin?
Melatonin is a hormone that regulates sleep patterns. It’s found naturally in plants, animals, and humans. The side effects of taking too much Melatonin include dizziness, forgetfulness, mood changes, stomach problems, nausea and vomiting. In severe cases it can lead to seizures or coma.
Most people who consume too much Melatonin suffer from a temporary lack of coordination and confusion which can last for up to 12 hours after ingestion. If you suspect someone has taken an overdose contact your local poison control center or doctor immediately!
4) How much Melatonin is too much?
The first thing to do is try to figure out how much it the person has taken. A good rule of thumb is that 4-6 milligrams per day will be therapeutic in most adults. If you think someone has taken more than 10 milligrams, it’s time to call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room for evaluation. Kids are often more sensitive than adults, so if they have ingested melatonin, you should call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222 or 9-1-1 immediately. It is not water soluble, so if a child has swallowed a lot of tablets or liquid, give them milk or water to drink and take them to the hospital right away.
5) What happened when this kid ate 180 Melatonin gummies?
Kids have the tendency to eat things they shouldn’t. That’s why it’s important to keep their medication out of reach. If this kid had ingested more than 180 gummies, they could have experienced a number of symptoms including lethargy, an upset stomach, dizziness, or even breathing difficulties. Thankfully though, children are more resilient than adults so some kids may be able to take more than 180 without being harmed.
6) What would have happened if this kid ate more than 180 gummies?
The boy may have passed out, fallen asleep, or had a seizure.
The boy’s doctor was able to treat him with fluids as he was vomiting which is a sign of an overdose.
If the child ingested more than 180, he would be at risk for serious side effects like sedation, sleepwalking, or psychosis.
The child would need to go to an emergency room because he might not wake up from the overdose.
Most kids will only take one gummy at a time and this is why it’s important to keep them out of reach of children who are too young to know better.
A lot of doctors recommend giving melatonin only when there is a genuine issue with insomnia.
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