Ask Doctor Amy
Ask Doctor Amy
Amy F. Conrad MD
Melatonin for kids - yay or nay? And 5 natural ways to improve sleep
15 minutes Posted Nov 29, 2022 at 9:00 am.
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Show notes

Giving kids melatonin for sleep issues is becoming a very popular practice. Even though melatonin is lauded as a safe sleep aid and available over the counter, is it safe to give on a long term basis for kids? Dr. Amy weighs in with her concerns for the practice, and suggests 5 natural things you can do today to improve children's sleep without giving any medication. 

In this episode you will hear: 

  • Effects of melatonin, why it has been thought to be a safe/natural sleep aid
  • Potential concerns for chronically taking extra hormone (melatonin), and how it might affect the rest of the body's hormonal balance
  • Early morning practice to drastically improve night sleep 

The Huberman Lab Podcast: 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/huberman-lab/id1545953110

Animal model study on the effects of high dose melatonin: 
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7837417/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15550508/

 

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Dr. Amy is a board certified pediatrician, a mom, and an ally of the modern parent.

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