Falling asleep on a flight can be an extreme challenge, so it is natural for some people to bring sleeping aids on a flight. But airport security can be strict when bringing certain items on a plane. So, can you bring melatonin on the plane?
It is legal to bring melatonin on an international flight in your luggage and carry-on bag. You can bring unlimited amounts in pill form, but melatonin in liquid form must be inspected by airport security and be limited to reasonable quantities. Melatonin can be an effective sleep aid during flights and helps to treat jetlag.
Can You Bring Melatonin On A Plane?
Melatonin is considered medication and can be brought on a plane in both your carry-on bag and checked-in luggage. A passenger can bring unlimited amounts of medication so long as it is in pill or solid form.
A traveler is also not required to notify a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer if they have medication in solid or pill form. However, the TSA has a different rule for medication that comes in liquid form, which also applies to melatonin.
A traveler can bring melatonin in liquid form in their carry-on bag above 3.4 ounces in reasonable quantities. You should notify the TSA officer if you have melatonin in liquid form, as they will likely want to screen it.
TSA recommends keeping medication in your carry-on in case of an emergency. Though melatonin is not a lifesaving medication, it would still be a shame if you can’t take it during a long flight because you mistakenly put it in your luggage instead of your carry-on.
Can You Bring Melatonin On An International Flight?
When traveling to any foreign country, it is essential to check the destination’s regulations regarding the legality of certain medications. Melatonin appears to be a legal medication internationally, but travelers should check if their destination’s airport security has any specific regulations for this sleep aid.
Different countries may also have regulations regarding the quantities allowed on a flight for medication that comes in solid and/or liquid form, so it is vital to check that before traveling.
Does Melatonin Help For Sleeping On Planes?
It is no guarantee that melatonin aids with falling asleep on a plane. There is some debate as to whether melatonin does help you sleep when flying. Some recurrent flyers say that the medication is most effective, while others say that they do not feel benefits.
Some research does suggest that melatonin is a helpful sleep remedy. Still, certain factors can play a role in determining whether you will have a positive experience with it when flying, like the timing of intake and dosage.
How Much Melatonin Should You Take On A Plane?
In countries like the US, where melatonin is sold over the counter, melatonin dosage can vary from 1 to 10 milligrams or even higher. Interestingly, higher doses do not necessarily achieve a better result, as the optimal dosage is not the same for everyone.
Some research has shown that taking less than 1 milligram can yield the same positive results as taking 5 milligrams. However, remember that this sleep remedy varies from person to person. Seek professional help if needed.
Avoid alcohol and other sedatives when taking melatonin, as they can interfere and cause unwanted side effects like drowsiness, headaches, and nausea.
What Kind Of Melatonin Should You Take On A Plane?
Since travelers can bring medication in pill, liquid, and powdered form in their carry-on luggage, it is up to the traveler to choose how they want to consume melatonin once they are on the plane.
Melatonin mostly comes in pill form, but this medication is also easily accessible in powder and liquid form. So, travelers who find it hard to take pills can use these alternatives on the plane.
Although melatonin has not been linked to severe side effects, this medication can sometimes cause side effects like headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Travelers who experience these side effects can try switching from synthetic melatonin to products that contain melatonin naturally, but there is no guarantee that this will work.
Be sure to consult with your doctor to find out what works best for you.
When Should You Take Melatonin When Travelling?
Melatonin can be taken before, during, and after a long flight. The time you should take it will vary depending on your preference and needs. Generally, it takes about 30 minutes for melatonin to take effect after ingestion.
Those looking to sleep on a long flight can take melatonin before or during the journey. Though people not used to taking it may have a strong reaction, it is perhaps best to wait until they have boarded the plane.
It is safe for travelers who cannot find rest during a flight to take melatonin after the journey. Taking this sleep remedy after the flight can also help with jet lag.
Because it takes longer than 6 hours for melatonin to completely leave your body, you should take it for journeys that are longer than that time.
Can Melatonin Stop Jet Lag?
Jet lag can be a big annoyance for some people. Though jet lag symptoms usually go away after a few days, they can last longer for some people. If you dont deal well with jet lag, then melatonin could help.
This sleep remedy has also been studied in the context of jet lag, where positive results were found. So, melatonin is now considered a feasible treatment for jet lag.
Your experience with jet lag differs depending on the direction you travel. Traveling east causes worse jet lag than traveling west because you are moving opposite the sun’s direction. The direction you travel also determines when you should take melatonin at your destination.
In a case where you have flown east, your body’s natural clock needs to be reset to an earlier time. Hence, melatonin should be taken at around bedtime (local time) every day until the symptoms disappear.
In a case where you have flown west, your body’s natural clock needs to be reset to a later time. So, taking melatonin in the morning at your destination is better.
Can You Buy Melatonin At The Airport?
It is probably best to avoid relying on the airport as the place to get melatonin before or after a flight. However, there is a possibility that you will find melatonin in some airports that have a range of shops that sell medication.
Nevertheless, the chance that you will find it remains slim, but you will be able to buy some if you do since melatonin is an over-counter medication that does not require a prescription in the US.
Airports in countries like the UK, Australia, and Japan, where melatonin is available only through a prescription, will not have melatonin in stores.
