Melatonin dosage for RBD

Posted by clearbean @clearbean, Nov 15, 2025

I started taking melatonin to help diagnosed RBD symptoms. Just wanting to know what dosages have helped others and whether immediate or extended release. Thank you in advance.

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John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Nov 15, 2025

Welcome @clearbean, Another member @azsingularity mentioned a Melatonin 6 mg dosage helped them in another discussion here and may have some other suggestions - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/1300612/.

You might find other suggestions in the discussion started by @emyliander:
-- Has anyone dealt with REM Behavior Disorder (RBD):
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/has-anyone-dealt-with-rem-behavior-disorder-rbd/

seniormed | @seniormed | Nov 15, 2025

My reading on RBD has see recommendations of starting at 3 mg
and increasing up to 10 if needed. See if you to tolerate it without daytime
sleepiness or fog using only immediate release.
I have been on higher dose long term which is not recommended unless
you consult your sleep doctors.
There is recent publicity of a population study stating it may be linked
to a higher incidence of heart failure with long term use.
The study has not been reproduced for peer verification.
When I looked over literature on PubMed there are multiple credible
papers concluding the opposite with proposing it is likely heart
healthy. I’m staying with it as most science finds multiple benefits
and it is a natural hormone that can decline as we age.

gloaming | @gloaming | Nov 15, 2025

This may be of interest to all reading here:

All the research I have read suggests that less is more with melatonin. I don't mean this to mean that you should avoid it; I mean you don't need much of it to have a desired effect,.....improved sleep.' In fact. 2.5-3mg is the ideal dose. Also, if you can, tough it out on the odd night and take the melatonin on the second or third night to help to preserve it's oomph. You don't want your mind or your body to become dependent on a daily dose if you can help it. Even so, ALWAYS follow the instructions of someone you've paid to advise you about improved sleep, especially sleep physicians. If they say 5 or 10 mg, then take it! As instructed.