As teams adjust to the 15-hour travel and severe time-zone changes, many observers note that once the pads pop, sleep schedules tend to fade in importance compared to on-field performance.
Defensive end Keion White of the 49ers offered a candid approach to dealing with the long flight during a recent press briefing. He joked about the possibility of using melatonin in generous amounts to manage the trip: “I don’t know if you can OD on melatonin, but I’m gonna try. Take like five melatonin. Go to sleep on the plane. As soon as I wake up I’m taking five more and just keep rolling like that.”
Medical guidance on melatonin use shows that while excessive dosing can cause unwanted effects, melatonin overdoses are not typically fatal, and there is no established lethal dose (LD50) for melatonin in humans. Guidance from general health resources notes that very high doses have not proven fatal in animal studies, and many parents rely on melatonin for sleep assistance in children under guidance.
White, who compiled 18 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery with the 49ers last season, faces a demanding travel schedule, but such routines are unlikely to determine the game’s outcome. Regardless, having a plan for the journey is prudent.
