Because melatonin is a hormone that is part of the human sleep-wake cycle, many people think that by taking more of it in pill form will help them to fall asleep faster or stay asleep longer. Unfortunately, that isn\’t exactly how melatonin works.

Melatonin, also known chemically as \”N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine,\” is a naturally occurring compound found in animals, plants and microbes. In animals, circulating levels of the hormone melatonin vary in a daily cycle, thereby allowing the entrainment of the circadian rhythms of several biological functions.

Many biological effects of melatonin are produced through activation of melatonin receptors, while others are due to its role as a pervasive and powerful antioxidant, with a particular role in the protection of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA.

In mammals, melatonin is secreted into the blood by the pineal gland in the brain. Known as the \”hormone of darkness\” it is secreted in darkness in both day-active (diurnal) and night-active (nocturnal) animals.

It may also be produced by a variety of peripheral cells such as bone marrow cells, lymphocytes and epithelial cells. Usually, the melatonin concentration in these cells is much higher than that found in the blood but it does not seem to be regulated by the photoperiod.

In humans, melatonin is secreted by the pineal gland in the brain and is involved in the biochemical process of sleep, as well as light-dark cycling. The pineal gland makes serotonin, which then turns it into melatonin when light decreases. Strong light, such as sunlight, slows melatonin production, whereas a completely dark room increases melatonin.

The hormone melatonin is used to treat circadian rhythm sleep disorders and some types of insomnia. Taking melatonin as a supplement stimulates sleep and can have a direct sedative effect.

The body produces less melatonin as we get older, which may explain why elderly people often have difficulty sleeping and why melatonin supplements improve sleep in the elderly. A study of middle-aged adults with insomnia compared melatonin levels with that of people of the same age without insomnia. Those with insomnia had significantly lower levels of melatonin.

Melatonin promotes sleep in children as well. In a study of children with sleep disturbances resulting from school phobia, their sleep improved after taking melatonin nightly for three weeks. Other studies have shown melatonin useful in treating insomnia in schizophrenics, people with jet-lag, and those working graveyard shifts.

Melatonin has been useful in helping people get off sleeping medication. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 34 individuals who regularly used benzodiazepines as a sleep aid, found that controlled-released melatonin taken nightly enabled them to discontinue the use of the drugs.

People with major depressive disorders often have sleep disturbances. Melatonin has been used successfully for the improvement of sleep patterns in patients with depression. An Israeli study determined that melatonin was effective at improving the quality of sleep in people with even the most severe major depression. Another Israeli study at the Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School in Jerusalem concluded that melatonin alleviated the symptoms of depression in a group of postmenopausal women. A review of several studies on melatonin and mood disorders determined that melatonin was effective in the treatment of a number of different types of depression, especially seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and bipolar disorder.

In most studies, good results have been obtained from using timed release melatonin capsules. The doses suggested by the majority of doctors practicing natural medicine are about one to three mg of melatonin taken as a single dose one to two hours prior to lying down for the night.

Dr. Randi Fredricks is a psychotherapist and author of several books, including Healing and Wholeness: Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Mental Health. She works in San Jose, California. Visit Dr. Fredricks\’ websites http://www.RandiFredricks.com and http://www.SanJoseCounselling.com.

Dr. Randi Fredricks is a psychotherapist and author of several books, including Healing and Wholeness: Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Mental Health. She works in San Jose, California. Visit Dr. Fredricks\’ websites http://www.RandiFredricks.com and http://www.SanJoseCounselling.com.

Author Bio: Dr. Randi Fredricks is a psychotherapist and author of several books, including Healing and Wholeness: Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Mental Health. She works in San Jose, California. Visit Dr. Fredricks\’ websites http://www.RandiFredricks.com and http://www.SanJoseCounselling.com.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: