If you wish to send information appropriate for senior citizens please send us an e-mail. Using sleeping suggestions listed here will be done at your own risk. I would like to stop taking Ativan. I've tried many times over the last 4 years to stop, but Ativan is addicting. It is produced by the pineal gland, located in the center of the brain.
Secretion is affected by light.
When darkness falls, production steps up, signaling sleepiness, and with the light of day production wanes, nudging us awake. As we age, levels of melatonin lower and by 70s or 80s, levels can be barely preceptable and falling asleep and staying asleep can be real chores. Melatonin is sold commercially in health food stores with a common dosage of 3 milligrams. Some scientists are concerned that some commercially sold dosages are too great as even 1 milligram is at least three times higher than the normal amount produced by the body. Side effects may include nightmares, fatigue, daytime drowsiness, mild depression, and headaches.