The side effects of the sleep aid melatonin are numerous. Bursting headaches, diarrhea and palpitations are just some of the symptoms people experience when they use the drug. However, these side effects are often not listed on the package leaflet.
Side effect center Lareb received 181 reports of side effects that were not mentioned on the package leaflet by producers. Melatonin is a hormone that is produced by the body. At a dosage above 0,3 milligrams per day, there is a drug. Pills with a lower dosage are covered by commodities law and are freely available at drugstores.
The Lareb has passed on the reports to the Healthcare and Youth Inspectorate (IGJ) and the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). They recently decided to intensify their supervision of melatonin products.
CBD as a sleeping aid
A comparable product that has been gaining popularity in recent years and is widely used against sleep problems is cannabidiol. The substance occurs in hash or weed, but is not psychoactive as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The substance is very similar to the body's own substances and works on the body's own cannabinoid system, which influences our immune system, cognitive functioning and motor control (Jellinek). This is probably the reason that CBD can be effective on many medical complaints, including sleeping problems.
Unfortunately, scientific evidence is not yet conclusive, but there is a lot of anecdotal evidence that CBD has a very positive effect on sleeping problems. In addition, the reports of negative side effects are nil if you compare it with a substance like melatonin. So give it a try. You can take it in the form of cbd oil, edibles or, for example, in drinks such as cbd tea.
