Melatonin

Melatonin is an endogenous hormone and indoleamine compound naturally produced by the pineal gland in response to darkness, regulating sleep-wake cycles and circadian rhythms. First isolated and characterized by Aaron B. Lerner in 1958, it is widely available as an over-the-counter supplement for treating insomnia and promoting healthier sleep patterns. Beyond sleep regulation, melatonin functions as an antioxidant and influences mood, seasonal rhythms, and immune activity.

Also known as: Circadin, Melatonine, Pineal hormone, 5-MT, MLT, Melatoninum

Classification

Chemical: Medicine
Chemical: Tryptamine
Psychoactive: Nootropic
Tag: Common
Tag: Hormone Modulator
Tag: Oneirogen
Tag: Pharmaceutical
Tag: Sedative
Tag: substituted tryptamine
Tag: Supplement

Effects

Temperature Regulation Suppression
Sedation
Nausea
Muscle Tension
Fatigue
Anxiety
Confusion
Cognitive Fatigue
Dream Potentiation
Drowsiness
Calmness
Cognitive Dysphoria

Routes of Administration

Oral

Dosage

Light: 0.3 – 1 mg
Common: 3-1 mg
Threshold: 0.25 mg
Heavy: ≥10 mg
Strong: 3-6 mg

Duration

Onset: 0.1-0.3 h
Comeup: 0.3-1.2 h
Peak: 0.5-2 h
Offset: 2-3 h
After Effects: 0.5-2 h
Total Duration: 4-8 h

Sublingual

Dosage

Heavy: ≥3 mg
Light: 0.3–0.5 mg
Common: 0.5–2 mg
Strong: 2–3 mg
Threshold: 0.25 mg

Duration

Onset: 0.08-0.33 h
Peak: 0.25-1.5 h
Offset: 2-5 h
After Effects: 0.25-1 h
Total Duration: 3-6 h

Harm Reduction

Check interactions before mixing substances, pay attention to dose spacing and hydration, and treat all dosage guidance as approximate rather than guaranteed safe.

Sources

Substance data is aggregated from the following public harm-reduction and reference sources.

Links

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