Melatonin doesn’t last in the body for long. It has a half-life of 40 to 60 minutes. The half-life is the time it takes for the body to eliminate half a drug. Typically, it takes four to five half-lives for a drug to be fully eliminated.

For children, the AAP says the dose should remain low (between . 5 and 1 milligram), capping out at no more than 3 to 6 milligrams of melatonin. The maximum dosage for adults ranges from 5 to 10 milligrams. If that sounds like a wide spectrum of normal, it’s because the “right” dose of melatonin is very individualized.

What Is the Usual Prognosis for a Melatonin Overdose? Melatonin is generally safe for most people, and many people won’t experience major complications when taking too much. Even so, an overdose can cause unpleasant side effects. Keep your dose to no more than 1 to 3 mg per night.

Some people may find that too much melatonin may actually cause them to be more awake, which is the opposite of its intended purpose. Others find that taking too much melatonin causes them to feel extremely sleepy during unintended times or cause intense dreams or nightmares.

Taking too much melatonin can actually cause rebound insomnia—either rendering the supplement ineffective or worse, exacerbating your already sleepless nights further. You only need tiny doses of melatonin to support your natural sleep cycle.

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1. Establish a quiet, relaxing bedtime routine.
2. Relax your body.
3. Make your bedroom conducive to sleep.
4. Put clocks in your bedroom out of sight.
5. Avoid caffeine after noon, and limit alcohol to 1 drink several hours before bedtime.
6. Avoid smoking.
7. Get regular exercise.
8. Go to bed only when you’re sleepy.