Melatonin

[GenYHippie]

Hello all . I did a search but didn't quite find what I was looking for. Can anyone here chime in with their experience of using both MJ and melatonin? Does one increase or decrease the effect of the other? Amplify side effect or the like?

Im having a lot of trouble sleeping and the time change didn't help. So while im waiting for some sleepy strains to come back in stock I figure I may as well give melatonin another go. Just wanted to know what I should be wary of using both.

Melatonin can give me really nasty vivid dreams so I wanted to be prepared of adding MJ to that would amplify that as well as any other effects of combining.

 

[Lo]

Melatonin works for some people and not so much for others, won't know until you try. I suspect MJ will help with any sleep aid especially if higher temps used but just gauging by personal experience.

Also worth trying passiflora and kava kava for sleep aids.

 

[equatorgringo]

I think it depends on the person, like @Lo said. Everyone around me seems to have used it as some point and it worked wonders. For me it was horrible, kept me awake in a bit of a haze...gave me RLS and I didn't sleep for another 3 hours later than normal (bad enough). When I medicate with 2 loads on the Solo starting about an hour and a half before laying down to actually sleep, I sleep nice and deep.

 

[CG420]

I use 3 mg melatonin pills and sometimes bump to another depending on the circumstances. 3 mg wakes me up earlier I'd like. 6 mg equates to a good 8 to 10 hours of sleep. Although it works I would rather use less due to pill ingesting problems. Sometimes I would want to vomit after. Never really had a thing for pills or even trying melatonin but it does help for those nights where vaping just wouldn't cut it at times.

As for vaping before or during the moment I take melatonin, I do less because it's not really needed but does get you really drowsy probably more so to induce sleep but I don't do as much vaping because I just think it's a waste in a way.

 

[Quetzalcoatl]

High CBD and CBN strains/concentrates are what I like to use for sleeping. That or ABV in some form is good too. Maybe vape some of it at low temps to vaporize the THC and then bump it up to high temps and you can get the CBD/CBN with very little/no THC? Haven't tried melatonin, sorry...

 

[GenYHippie]

Melatonin works for some people and not so much for others, won't know until you try. I suspect MJ will help with any sleep aid especially if higher temps used but just gauging by personal experience.

Also worth trying passiflora and kava kava for sleep aids.

I am one of those people who has to cycle it. I can use it for a few weeks and its great but then it stops working so I have to stop for a month and then go back. So far haven't had luck with MJ working for sleep but I was mostly purchasing sativa and hybrids. My most recent purchase was indica and purple hybrids.

I have had nasty experienced with hops, kava, skullcap, an passionflower so I stay away unfortunately. My body has decided it will no longer tolerate chamomile as well so im feeling SOL.

I think it depends on the person, like @Lo said. Everyone around me seems to have used it as some point and it worked wonders. For me it was horrible, kept me awake in a bit of a haze...gave me RLS and I didn't sleep for another 3 hours later than normal (bad enough). When I medicate with 2 loads on the Solo starting about an hour and a half before laying down to actually sleep, I sleep nice and deep.

Sorry you ha such a unpleasant reaction to it bummer .

I use 3 mg melatonin pills and sometimes bump to another depending on the circumstances. 3 mg wakes me up earlier I'd like. 6 mg equates to a good 8 to 10 hours of sleep. Although it works I would rather use less due to pill ingesting problems. Sometimes I would want to vomit after. Never really had a thing for pills or even trying melatonin but it does help for those nights where vaping just wouldn't cut it at times.

As for vaping before or during the moment I take melatonin, I do less because it's not really needed but does get you really drowsy probably more so to induce sleep but I don't do as much vaping because I just think it's a waste in a way.

Ive never tried doses that high I usually do 500mcg or max 1mg. Thanks for the input on combining

High CBD and CBN strains/concentrates are what I like to use for sleeping. That or ABV in some form is good too. Maybe vape some of it at low temps to vaporize the THC and then bump it up to high temps and you can get the CBD/CBN with very little/no THC? Haven't tried melatonin, sorry...

Thanks for the tips . Im still on my learning curve with strains and temps. I have been saving my low temp ABV though so I can try that as well

 

[thesoloman]

my mom is into melatonin, she mix's it with gaba and supposedly the two work together to promote sleep better than they could alone.

 

[GenYHippie]

my mom is into melatonin, she mix's it with gaba and supposedly the two work together to promote sleep better than they could alone.

Im glad that it works for her. Gaba is an experience I don't care to repeat. Hallucinated, room spinning, threw up for a few hours then a crampy stomach all the next day. Not a fun thing

 

[max]

Melatonin is a hormone, not a natural sleeping pill, and more doesn't equal better. 3mg is the recommended maximum dosage and even taking that much every day will decrease your natural production of the hormone, prompting you to keep taking it. It's like those nasal sprays for sinus congestion. Keep spraying that stuff up your nose and after a while you won't be able to breathe without it. Melatonin is a good choice if you're traveling and crosing several time zones though, since it helps regulate your sleep/wake cycles. As a sleep aid it's way overhyped and most people shouldn't be taking it on a regular basis.

Some natural sleep aids that are better choices than Melatonin are Chamomile, Valerian, California Poppy, Hops, Passion Flower, Magnolia Bark, and Ashwagandha. Some supplements combine some of these herbs in one capsule.

The best sleep aid I've found is simply deep breathing. Slow, deep breaths will relax the body and if you concentrate on continuing that, your mind won't be able to switch to thinking about other stuff, which is usually the problem. Breathing slowly and deeply is a consious activity, and your mind can't keep it up while also thinking about whatever it is that's keeping you awake, even if it's just a lot of little things. When you catch yourself returning to thinking, worrying, etc., you just return to concentrating on your breathing. It quiets all internal noise and works every time for me, in only a few minutes, if that long, as long as there are no external random sounds intruding. The more stressed and worried you are, the more likely it is that your mind will return to your issues, and you'll just have to recognize that you're no longer breathing slowly and deeply, and therefore return to concentrating on your breathing. Of course this assumes that your body's not full of stimulants- caffeine, etc., -that's a different story.

 

[pigfoot]

As someone who has ongoing sleep issues - I feel your pain. Melatonin did nothing for me, but MJ works great! I just wanted to suggest difficulty sleeping can have many causes. Best to get to the root of it if possible.

 

[GenYHippie]

As someone who has ongoing sleep issues - I feel your pain. Melatonin did nothing for me, but MJ works great! I just wanted to suggest difficulty sleeping can have many causes. Best to get to the root of it if possible.

Thanks. And oh I have tried. Years of therapy, yoga, meditation, various perscriptions an over the counter sleep aids, herbs, yada yada yada . I have never been a good sleeper since infancy as a toddler it got worse and just stayed that way. Spent the first 12 years of my life trying to force a schedule that didn't fit my body (7-8am wake and 8-9pm bed) once I was homeschooled I just said screw it.

Im fine as long as I can get out of bed by noon regularly then if I have to get up at 10 not and then its not as big of a deal. But being stuck in the going to bed around 2am not being able to sleep till anywhere between 5 7 am then not making it out of bed till 1 -3:30pm is killer.

I got my delivery of indica/indica dominant hybrids today so hopefully that will help. I have a fair number of purples in there so hopefully one of them will knock me out

 

[pigfoot]

Well, that's much worse than my problem. I have a friend with sleep issues like that though. He will only take prescription meds, they seem to work for him, most of the time. Best of luck with those plants!

 

[sour]

I use a few melatonin pills when I remember, it seems to deepen my sleep a bit. Every once in a while I get lucid dreams. I have been meaning to buy some more Valerian Root pills those put me to sleep. I have some that someone gave me but it's a "stress complex" pill and contains high levels of B vitamins which wouldn't help to get to sleep. Back on topic my experience with pot and melatonin is sorta limited but I remember it being fine, good rest with no dreams those times.

 

[GenYHippie]

Well, that's much worse than my problem. I have a friend with sleep issues like that though. He will only take prescription meds, they seem to work for him, most of the time. Best of luck with those plants!

Thanks for the well wishes . Only RX I had luck with went off the market a few years ago. I prefer not to use them anyway. I usually need a boost for a week or two to get me back on tack then I try to maintain with lifestyle/routine, It doesn't get me on a normal schedule but at least a more functional one.

I use a few melatonin pills when I remember, it seems to deepen my sleep a bit. Every once in a while I get lucid dreams. I have been meaning to buy some more Valerian Root pills those put me to sleep. I have some that someone gave me but it's a "stress complex" pill and contains high levels of B vitamins which wouldn't help to get to sleep. Back on topic my experience with pot and melatonin is sorta limited but I remember it being fine, good rest with no dreams those times.

Thanks for the input sour . I normally don't dream so the melatonin ones even the mild ones freak me out. Will report back once ive had a chance to feel it out. Want to try my indicas alone first before is tart adding anything else in.

 

[pigfoot]

On a side note, I LOVE those lucid dreams.....I have heard it's possible to become CONSCIOUS and make choices during a dream now THAT would be cool!

 

[farcus2323]

Melatonin is AWESOME!

 

[Crumpet]

Im glad that it works for her. Gaba is an experience I don't care to repeat. Hallucinated, room spinning, threw up for a few hours then a crampy stomach all the next day. Not a fun thing

Ouch, wow. I hadn't heard of that from just GABA before - are you sure it didn't react against something? Do you recall how much you had?

For myself, I HAD to take melatonin every night back when I was taking prescription meds for ADHD - I couldn't get to sleep without it. Once I stopped using that medication and switched to lovely sativas for my daytime ADHD relief, melatonin wouldn't work at night anymore.

Fortunately, I found that GABA + indica will knock me right out. A good indica will generally do it on its own anyway, however my sleep is a lot deeper and more stable when I pop a couple GABA right before bed. Currently I use a GABA from NOW that also contains taurine, inositol, and L-theanine (all things that can help promote relaxation and sleep).

 

[BirdFLU]

I had really hard time sleeping if I took my ADHD too late in the day...found melatonin and valerian root to work pretty good as well as this magnesium powder when taken before bed. It had trace minerals as well as a good does of magnesium to relax the muscles.

I have had mixed experiences with GABA. I have taken it during the day and continually would get headaches and just an overall fuzzy feeling. It helped a lot for sleep when I switched to taking it before bed.

 

[GenYHippie]

Ouch, wow. I hadn't heard of that from just GABA before - are you sure it didn't react against something? Do you recall how much you had?

For myself, I HAD to take melatonin every night back when I was taking prescription meds for ADHD - I couldn't get to sleep without it. Once I stopped using that medication and switched to lovely sativas for my daytime ADHD relief, melatonin wouldn't work at night anymore.

Fortunately, I found that GABA + indica will knock me right out. A good indica will generally do it on its own anyway, however my sleep is a lot deeper and more stable when I pop a couple GABA right before bed. Currently I use a GABA from NOW that also contains taurine, inositol, and L-theanine (all things that can help promote relaxation and sleep).

It was a while ago I don't remember the dose. It was a combo of melatonin, l-theanine, and gaba. Id had the first two by themselves around the same time as I tried the combo so im pretty sure it was the gaba. The extra ingredients were all safe for me so I narrowed it down to that. I have a severely sensitive stomach so im sure most people are fine with it but stuff hits me hard.

I can certainly imagine you would need some kind of sleep assist on ADHD meds. Im glad you were able to switch things around to something that worked better for you once you were off the ADHD stuff. I have plain L-theanine to try again as well if the melatonin doesn't do the trick. I tried Querkle last night but I went light on it and just broke off a piece instead of grinding it. Ive had a few to many times getting hit harder than anticipated used to having no tolerance so im extra careful.

I went with level 4 on my solo waited 15 minutes between hits and 4 hits got me closer to the feeling I wanted but didn't knock me out. I was very relaxed though and liked the mild heavy feeling in my body. So now that I have an idea what it feels like im not so freaked out to try it ground. Though I would use it earlier int he night since it was a knock me out now feeling. I did get about 5 and a half hours last night though which is good even if I didn't get to sleep till very late. I only woke up once before my alarm so I take progress where I can

 

[Abysmal Vapor]

I have had problem with sleep since i was a child even smoking didn't help me.. but vaping did .. and also good chicks and a beer maybe.. All those combined before or in bed gives me a deep night sleep..
Although just to mention there is one herb that makes me sleepy anytimes and it is wild lettuce.. I use the extract u can read over the net how to make it its a pretty common plant growing everywhere

 

[GenYHippie]

I have had problem with sleep since i was a child even smoking didn't help me.. but vaping did .. and also good chicks and a beer maybe.. All those combined before or in bed gives me a deep night sleep..
Although just to mention there is one herb that makes me sleepy anytimes and it is wild lettuce.. I use the extract u can read over the net how to make it its a pretty common plant growing everywhere

Hahaha yea I wish I could have alcohol (or good chick ) lol. I have tried wild lettuce tincture before didn't do much for sleep but it was a nice muscle relaxant.

 

[C No Ego]

On a side note, I LOVE those lucid dreams.....I have heard it's possible to become CONSCIOUS and make choices during a dream now THAT would be cool!

not to de rail the thread but for a " you are aware in the dream " the first step is to see your hands and be aware that you have control of your hands. once you accomplish that the entire built universe both formed and unformed is at your fingertips, literally!! set up clear intentions beforehand and ask to be protected by the light before venturing into unknown dream universes.

wanted to mention to that ST. Johns wort helps my girl to sleep at night. I tried it and was relaxed for a few days, quite strong stuff

2nd edit..
I have learned also that high concentrated cannabis oil will boost melatonin in your bod through the roof and being one of the best known antioxidants it is a good thing. to the original poster have you tried concentrated cannabis dosing with the oil?

 

[GenYHippie]

2nd edit..
I have learned also that high concentrated cannabis oil will boost melatonin in your bod through the roof and being one of the best known antioxidants it is a good thing. to the original poster have you tried concentrated cannabis dosing with the oil?

No I haven't im still very new to all this. Before January I had never seen MJ and only smelled it on others a few times. Im also budget restricted so buying the concentrated oils at $50+ each is touch because then I can only afford about a gram of bud. I want to try it and my main dispensary (lab tested) did just get the syinges in stock so its easy to dose. Im hoping they have a 4/20 sale and I can get some next month.

My firsy experiment with edibles (low dose) wasn't good so it scared me off ingesting for a while im just now getting back to it.