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Is melatonin good before a flight?

With this in mind, melatonin supplements are generally recommended for longer flights where you'll be able to sleep for a substantial amount of time before landing. You can also use melatonin to help adjust your sleep schedule before flying to a different time zone.



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Taking a melatonin supplement when you first get on a flight— if traveling overnight—is a great way to ease yourself to sleep, so you wake up refreshed and rested when you land. However, this should only be done for flights longer than 6 hours, as this is how long it takes melatonin to leave your system.

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As a sleep aid, melatonin has been widely studied and is a common jet lag treatment. The latest research seems to show that melatonin aids sleep during times when you wouldn't typically be resting, making it beneficial for people with jet lag.

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As a general precaution, however, Dr. Varga does not recommend taking either melatonin or a sleeping pill for the first time on a plane, given that both may occasionally cause adverse effects in some people. (And it's best not to find out that you're one of those people while you're trapped at 30,000 feet.)

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Take melatonin. However, this should only be done for flights longer than 6 hours, as this is how long it takes melatonin to leave your system. You don't want your body to be trying to ease you into sleep as you're navigating a busy foreign airport.

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These drugs are usually taken shortly before a flight. They include: Anti-anxiety medication, such as diazepam (Valium) or alprazolam (Xanax). Motion sickness medication, such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine).

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Medication is sometimes prescribed on a temporary basis to treat the symptoms of a flying phobia, such as anxiety and nausea. These drugs are usually taken shortly before a flight. They include: Anti-anxiety medication, such as diazepam (Valium) or alprazolam (Xanax).

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These include any hormone-based drugs, like the contraceptive pill and some fertility medicines, and drugs used to prevent heart attack and stroke. Antihistamines should also not be used to help passengers sleep during a flight.

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But here's what one paper recommends based on multiple studies: For eastbound flights up to 9 hours long: Prepare before the flight: Take 5 mg of melatonin, wake up earlier, and get bright light exposure. Day of the flight: take 5 mg of melatonin at 6 p.m.

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Taking a melatonin supplement when you first get on a flight— if traveling overnight—is a great way to ease yourself to sleep, so you wake up refreshed and rested when you land. However, this should only be done for flights longer than 6 hours, as this is how long it takes melatonin to leave your system.

MORE DETAILS

8 Steps to Overcoming Your Fear of Flying
  1. Latch on to triggers that set you off. ...
  2. Step onto the airplane with knowledge. ...
  3. Anticipate your anxiety. ...
  4. Separate fear from danger. ...
  5. Recognize that common sense makes no sense. ...
  6. Smooth over things that go bump in the flight. ...
  7. Educate fellow fliers how to help you. ...
  8. Value each flight.


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Planning Your Trip
  1. Carefully Select Your Booking Time.
  2. Consider an Upgrade to First or Premium Economy Class.
  3. Choose Your Seat Wisely.
  4. Talk to Your Doctor about Natural Sleep Supplements or Anxiety Medication.
  5. Invest in a Travel Pillow.
  6. Buy Noise-cancelling Headphones.
  7. Pick out Some Sleep-Inducing Music & Podcasts.


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Taking a melatonin supplement when you first get on a flight— if traveling overnight—is a great way to ease yourself to sleep, so you wake up refreshed and rested when you land. However, this should only be done for flights longer than 6 hours, as this is how long it takes melatonin to leave your system.

MORE DETAILS