Melatonin & Circadian Rhythms

Melatonin is a hormone synthesized by the pineal gland.  It is produced from tryptophan, which is converted to 5-HTP, then to serotonin, then to N-acetylserotonin, and finally to melatonin.  Sheesh, that's a mouthful, isn't it?

Melatonin's primary role is to regulate the body's circadian rhythm, endocrine secretions, and sleep patterns, and natural melatonin production is directly influenced by day/night cycles.  Light inhibits melatonin secretion and darkness does the reverse (promoting melatonin secretion). 

Jet Lag & Enabling Sleep

Regulating the body's natural rhythms is why melatonin is so well known to world travelers, who move from time zone to time zone and must re-set their body's clock to achieve restful sleep.

Melatonin lowers alertness, body temperature, blood pressure, and performance for three to four hours after administration, enabling sleep.  The good news: There is rarely a "hangover" the following day! 

Melatonin is considered especially helpful for seniors with insomnia related to melatonin deficiency.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

The pineal gland's ability to produce and regulate melatonin levels in the body is considered important for people affected by changes in moods during fall and winter. 

A part of the population is unable to effectively adjust their body rhythms to decreased exposure to daylight.  Those affected often find themselves craving carbohydrates, which appear to accelerate the production of serotonin, a precursor to melatonin.  

Boosting the Immune System

Melatonin is not as well known as an immune system booster, but there is a lot of interest in melatonin for its antioxidant qualities as well as its ability to support healthy cell growth.(reduced cell proliferation and reduced cellular transformations that are undesirable for optimum health). 

Melatonin, Endorphins & The Pleasure Response

Melatonin is gaining interest for a variety of other benefits, including heightening the effect of endorphins, the natural tranquilizers in the body that reduce pain and stress.

Along these lines, melatonin is being studied for its ability to:

• promote comfort associated with normal menopause-related changes and improve moods in menopausal women. 
• Support healthy  heart, arteries, bones, brain, and immune system functions as well as promote blood sugar.levels.

Studies of melatonin are actually exploding, because this supplement has proven to offer a diverse set of benefits well beyond jet lag support!

Notes:

1. People should not drive or operate machinery for 4 to 5 hours after taking melatonin. 
2. Melatonin has sometimes made dysphoria in depressed patients worse.
3. Melatonin can reverse the negative effects of propranolol (inderal) and atenolol (Tenormin), but not carvedilol (Coreg), on nocturnal sleep. 
4. Use of melatonin with other sedatives such as alcohol, benzodiazepines, etc. may increase levels of sedation. 
5. Melatonin can stimulate immune function and might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy. 
6. Melatonin may increase human growth hormone serum levels and test results.
7. Melatonin use in some children with seizure disorders may lead to increased seizure activity. Those with seizure disorders should avoid melatonin supplements.
8. Aspirin and other NSAIDs, caffeine, or beta blockers may all lead to decreased melatonin levels.