What Is Melatonin?

Answer:
Melatonin is a hormone which is produced in a small gland in the brain which is known as the pineal gland.

This gland helps to regulate your cycles of wake and sleep. Small amounts of melatonin can be found in some foods, such as meats, grains, fruits, and vegetables. Although it has no known nutritional value, it is also available as a dietary supplement.

Your body has an internal clock which regulates the body’s natural cycle of sleeping and waking (also referred to as circadian rhythm), partially by regulating the production of melatonin. Under normal circumstances, the body’s melatonin levels will begin to rise in the evening, will remain high for most of the night, and then will start to decline in the early morning hours.

Light will have some effect on the production of natural melatonin. When days are shorter during the winter, melatonin production usually will start later. This can lead to seasonal affective disorder (SAD), also referred to as winter depression. As a person ages, natural melatonin levels will gradually decline, with some seniors not producing any melatonin at all.

In order to treat jet lag or insomnia, melatonin supplements are sometimes used. Researchers are also looking at other possible uses for this medication, such as: treating seasonal affective disorder (SAD), regulating sleep for night workers, preventing and reducing problems with confusion and sleeping after surgery, and reducing chronic cluster headaches. Although it needs a lot more research, there are some indications that taking melatonin as a supplement can stop or delay the spread of cancer, strengthen the immune system, and slow the aging process. Research is also ongoing on using melatonin for treating sleep problems in blind people. Because blind people have no perception of light, they commonly have sleep problems.

Melatonin supplements are usually safe in low doses for both long and short term use. However, do not start these supplements without first discussing it with your doctor. Children and pregnant women should not take melatonin without their doctor’s approval. Melatonin may cause drowsiness, so you should not drive or operate machinery while taking it. Sleepiness is the main side effect, and it will go away when you stop taking it. Other side effects can include: changes in blood vessels affecting blood flow, lowering the body temperature (hypothermia), stomach problems, headache, morning grogginess, and vivid dreams.

For adults, dosages of melatonin will vary from 0.2 to 20.0 mg, depending on what it is being taken for. Typically, the dose will be roughly 0.5 mg. The dosage will vary greatly from one person to another. Your doctor can help you figure out the proper dose for you.


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