melatonin and hair growth??

[susiemw]

Hi all,

I was listening to a recorded medical lecture by Dr. Thierry Hertoghe from Belgium and in it he mentioned (as an aside, it wasn't the topic of the lecture) that he used melatonin on his scalp as it makes hair grow much better.

I'm just starting to try to research this and thought I'd
ask if anyone here knows anything about it.

Getting melatonin compounded into a cream, lotion or liquid
would be easy and not very expensive so this would be
very doable. Can't wait to see what I find out and I'll post
back here and let everyone know what I discovered.

Susan

[DragonLady]

Can't you buy it as a supplement? Maybe just add the powder to a deep conditioner?

[Hairizona]

I imagine you would have to be very careful as to the amount used on your scalp and only at bedtime, b/c it will go right into your system. It can definately give you a hangover as well as make you very sleepy for the first 3-4 hours; the hangover comes after that if you use too much.
I am being treated under an MD for adrenal fatigue as well as hormonal issues, and this is one of the things I take nightly. The reason it may stimulate hair growth is that it stimulates the thyroid- this is according to my doctor. It is also known to be an aid against cancer- NOT a preventative, but an aid.

[Elvi]

I would rather try eating up the recommended amount of the supplement in the evening. :cool:

[Sylvanas]

I was on melatonin pills for a month to help overcome my Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome. It did not work at all, and I experienced some pretty bad side-effects, such as depression, horrible nightmares, nausea, numb body parts and extreme fatigue.

I don't know what would happen if you were to put it on your scalp instead of taking it orally, but please check with your doctor first. If you have certain conditions, or high blood pressure, you shouldn't take melatonin at all. It can also give you worse side-effects if you mix it with certain herbs or different types of medication. You can only get melatonin pills if you have a prescription here in Norway, and my doctor told me it should never be used for longer periods. Also, there are no studies on the long term effects it can have on you.

I didn't notice any faster hair growth from taking the pills. Not saying it can't happen, but I wouldn't risk it myself.

[Hairizona]

Sylvanas-
Sounds like you were on way, way, way too high of a dose- I take only 0.33mg sublingually at night and never have any of those symptoms. The melatonin sold in the US over the counter is sold in typically 1 to 3 mg pills. I think this is too much for people to take in a dose; and yes you are right that these symptoms you list are the effects of TOO HIGH a dosage. Most doctors are not aware of how much of melatonin to advise taking, as well as any herbals/ aryuvedics/precursors to the major hormones etc. That is why it is important to see an MD board certified in the field specialty of anti-aging, and/ or endocrinology, gynecology/ urology, psychiatry-neurology, who deals with these supplements etc. and receives ongoing education

[Sylvanas]

Hairizona: Just went to get the box to check. The pills are called Circadin, and they are 2 mg. From what I've been told, any less than that will not have the desired effect for DSPS patients. While some people have no side-effects from it at all, the box is marked with a red triangle for a reason. Some of the side-effects, though listed as rare, are quite horrible. I have found that doctors over here know very little about DSPS. My GP had never heard of it, and the sleep disorder specialist only knew the very basics on how to treat it. Thanks for your advice, though :) I will be sure to check out if anyone has had success with a lower dosage of it. I might be willing to give it another try then.

[Curlsgirl]

I took 2 mg. of melatonin every night for several months. I had TERRIFIC results. I suffer from menopausal sleep disturbance. However, I was having allergy problems and found out that if you are allergic to ragweed you should be careful as you may be allergic to melatonin as well. I stopped it and the allergies cleared up. I was heartbroken because it worked so well for sleeplessness. It didn't leave me with any kind of hangover either or any other side effects that I could tell.

[bgarrison]

Hairizona: Just went to get the box to check. The pills are called Circadin, and they are 2 mg. From what I've been told, any less than that will not have the desired effect for DSPS patients. While some people have no side-effects from it at all, the box is marked with a red triangle for a reason. Some of the side-effects, though listed as rare, are quite horrible. I have found that doctors over here know very little about DSPS. My GP had never heard of it, and the sleep disorder specialist only knew the very basics on how to treat it. Thanks for your advice, though :) I will be sure to check out if anyone has had success with a lower dosage of it. I might be willing to give it another try then.

I'm with Hairazona on this. After trying higher doses of melatonin, I now take a 300 micrograms and it's effective, and I get no hangover or side effects of any sort. I started with a 5 mg pill, which I halved, then quartered, but still had trouble with after effects. (I get mine at a store in the US called "Trader Joe's", but I've seen similar items available online.) Just thinking it might be worth trying a lower dose as you sound sensitive to drugs, as I am.

Other things that have helped me are taking the pill around 8pm and being scrupulous with my sleep hygiene. (Getting to bed by ten, keeping lights low, and electronics off, no caffeine after noon etc)

I am also being treated for adrenal/ thyroid/ hormone issues but I'm not noticing any effect from my meds on my hair, though.Maybe a little regrowth, but not tons.

[rchorr]

I, too, have been using melatonin for sleep problems due to a combination of hyperthyroidism and perimenopause. Although I'm still having some sleep issues, it's better when taking the melatonin.

I get mine at Walgreens here in the states. I get the 1mg pill. Sometimes I take a half, sometimes a whole. The recommended dosage is .3mg. I can't find any that low, so I use a pill cutter.

I've not had any side effects ... but getting more sleep is VERY nice! :-)

RCHORR'

[HotRag]

Hairizona: Just went to get the box to check. The pills are called Circadin, and they are 2 mg. From what I've been told, any less than that will not have the desired effect for DSPS patients. While some people have no side-effects from it at all, the box is marked with a red triangle for a reason. Some of the side-effects, though listed as rare, are quite horrible. I have found that doctors over here know very little about DSPS. My GP had never heard of it, and the sleep disorder specialist only knew the very basics on how to treat it. Thanks for your advice, though :) I will be sure to check out if anyone has had success with a lower dosage of it. I might be willing to give it another try then.
I also ate Circadin. 1 mg.
No effect at all.
Circadin has delayed release of melatonin.

Before Circadin, I got pure melatonin, recommended dose was 25 mg (!!!).

After Circadin I got pure melatonin from Europe continent, dose was 0.1 mg per pill. I have tried 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 but no effect with those either.

So I will stop trying this. (EDIT, I am not taking it now, I meant I will stop accepting another try.)

I have had no effect at all. I already had fatigue (due to long term borrelioses or Chronic fatique syndrome).
I did not sleep better.

I did not notice anything in hair growth, but did not check for that either.

The doctor also talked about not knowing about long term effect of using melatonin.
About the different doses, she said that dose is VERY individual. From 0.1 to 25 mg.

[Sylvanas]

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this, ladies :)

I've not heard of ragweed before, but it looks a lot like something I am allergic to - mugwort. Will have to check it out with my doctor now. Some of the things I've been tested for and know I'm allergic to are penicillin, pollen (especially mugwort, birch and bird cherry), citrus fruits and pineapple. I had a bad reaction to a non-prescription cough syrup (Noskapin) as well. Granted, the hallucinations were funny, but the intense stomach ache and trouble breathing...not so much :p

[Sissy]

oh, this post is kinda worrying me. I have been taking 3mg of time released melatonin for quite some time now. I take it most nights each week before going to bed. I take it because I don't sleep well and it really helps. I did not know it wasn't deemed safe and a doctor told me a couple years back that it was fine. Perhaps I should just go back to Benadryll allergy medicine (decongestant) to help me sleep at night?

To the OP, I have never noticed increased hair growth from using melatonin internally. I have never heard of or tried applying it topically.

[Deb!]

This information is fascinating!

[rchorr]

Hmmm. I was told that long term low dose wouldn't be harmful. It might be harmful at larger doses, though.

RCHORR'

[Sylvanas]

"Sleep experts don't recommend taking melatonin for more than two weeks at a time. Melatonin is effective as a signal augmenter (reinforcing external cues), or as a tool to help shift sleep and circadian rhythms. Long term use of melatonin indicates a more serious underlying sleep disorder that should be investigated by a sleep professional."

I was told 2 months was the absolute maximum, and that it should never be used long term. It's a way of shifting your sleep pattern, not a sleeping pill. Long-time use of melatonin is not recommended, because we don't know much about long-term effects, side effects or interaction with other drugs and different food types.

"The problem with melatonin is that it was discovered long before scientists really understood what it does and how much you need. For example, in the late 80's and early 90's, we thought melatonin was a sleep hormone. Now we know it is much more complicated. In addition, tablet sizes average 3-5 mg. New evidence shows that adult males only need 150 micrograms, and the average female needs only 100 micrograms (a microgram is 1/100 th of a milligram). So the average melatonin supplement is 20 - 50 times more than we need! If you are using regular melatonin tablets, you can cut the pill into fourths, otherwise, try to find the smallest pill size available. If you are taking time-released melatonin, do not break the pill, as this will ruin the time-release."

More stuff I didn't know... I was aware of the dosage issue thanks to replies in this thread, but didn't know you can't cut the time-released ones. Quite frankly I think it's scary that my sleep specialist has only a minimum of knowledge about this. I know melatonin is considered a food supplement in America, because some food contains it, but in most of Europe you need a prescription, and to have tried other options before you can get melatonin pills.

Quotes taken from: http://www.talkaboutsleep.com/circadian-rhythm-disorders/circadian-rhythm-sleep-disorders/10-how-to-use-melatonin-correctly.htm

[Sissy]

"Sleep experts don't recommend taking melatonin for more than two weeks at a time. Melatonin is effective as a signal augmenter (reinforcing external cues), or as a tool to help shift sleep and circadian rhythms. Long term use of melatonin indicates a more serious underlying sleep disorder that should be investigated by a sleep professional."

I was told 2 months was the absolute maximum, and that it should never be used long term. It's a way of shifting your sleep pattern, not a sleeping pill. Long-time use of melatonin is not recommended, because we don't know much about long-term effects, side effects or interaction with other drugs and different food types.

"The problem with melatonin is that it was discovered long before scientists really understood what it does and how much you need. For example, in the late 80's and early 90's, we thought melatonin was a sleep hormone. Now we know it is much more complicated. In addition, tablet sizes average 3-5 mg. New evidence shows that adult males only need 150 micrograms, and the average female needs only 100 micrograms (a microgram is 1/100 th of a milligram). So the average melatonin supplement is 20 - 50 times more than we need! If you are using regular melatonin tablets, you can cut the pill into fourths, otherwise, try to find the smallest pill size available. If you are taking time-released melatonin, do not break the pill, as this will ruin the time-release."

More stuff I didn't know... I was aware of the dosage issue thanks to replies in this thread, but didn't know you can't cut the time-released ones. Quite frankly I think it's scary that my sleep specialist has only a minimum of knowledge about this. I know melatonin is considered a food supplement in America, because some food contains it, but in most of Europe you need a prescription, and to have tried other options before you can get melatonin pills.

Quotes taken from: http://www.talkaboutsleep.com/circadian-rhythm-disorders/circadian-rhythm-sleep-disorders/10-how-to-use-melatonin-correctly.htm

Thanks you for this information. I am going to talk to my doctor about melatonin... I do have the 3mg time released ones and I have been buying them at GNC for a while now. Geez, I wish the FDA would just start regulating the supplement industry. This isn't the first time I've used a supplement from a store only to find out later it has been deemed potentially unsafe for some reason.

[kwaniesiam]

I take melatonin nightly to help with insomnia, and haven't noticed a change to my hair. Then again I haven't really been looking :o Maybe I'll notice something different and post back here with results!

[Curlsgirl]

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this, ladies :)

I've not heard of ragweed before, but it looks a lot like something I am allergic to - mugwort. Will have to check it out with my doctor now. Some of the things I've been tested for and know I'm allergic to are penicillin, pollen (especially mugwort, birch and bird cherry), citrus fruits and pineapple. I had a bad reaction to a non-prescription cough syrup (Noskapin) as well. Granted, the hallucinations were funny, but the intense stomach ache and trouble breathing...not so much :p


Ragweed is probably not the official name for it but it's a weed that is very common here in the states and a huge cause of allergies for us allergy sufferers! I also had a reaction to an over the counter cough syrup once. Weird! I had about 5 hours of lunacy!!! I was rocking back and forth and crying one minute and then laughing myself silly the next. REALLY scary!

[Elettaria]

I tried melatonin tablets once for sleep and never found they did a thing for me. I had to import them, doctors in the UK won't prescribe them, I think because the consensus here is that they're not worth bothering with (which may or may not be correct: I may have been on the wrong dose, I didn't have a doctor to guide me).

A good way of increasing melatonin completely naturally is to block blue light in the evening, as it is specifically blue light which inhibits melatonin production. There's a thread on this here (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=32112), and a good website is Low Blue Lights (https://www.lowbluelights.com/index.asp?).

Interestingly, it turns out that a high enough dose of melatonin will prevent ovulation, and there have been trials of a contraceptive pill which combined melatonin and progestogen.

[marzipanfuntime]

It is very important that you not take it for extended periods! The body naturally produces melatonin to induce sleep cycles, but if you take it for longer than your dosage recommends you can become dependent and unable to produce it naturally!

[Pacific]

I'm taking 3mg every evening for more than 1 year now. I've never had any side effects but my hair doesn't grow faster than without Melatonin.

[Evie]

I know it is OT, but - I've found that Kalms tablets help hugely with sleep - I don't take the specific sleeping ones - and I sleep much better...

[pixiedoo]

I've been taking melatonin for about 6 months now to help with sleep problems I have that are connected with a long term illness. They work wonderfully for me and I get no side effect from them..........just a great nights sleep!!

I have not noticed that they have made any difference to my hair growth rate though :)