Media Center - View

What is Melatonin? 

 

Melatonin is a natural hormone produced by the body in a brain gland called the pineal gland. It helps regulate sleep and is therefore known as the "sleep hormone." Its levels rise at night in response to darkness or dim lighting, which contributes to feelings of calm and sleepiness, and then return to normal during the day to maintain alertness and activity. Based on this, lighting should be kept dim before preparing for sleep, and one should avoid exposure to the bright lights of screens (computers, mobile phones, etc.) when planning to go to bed, as bright light exposure prevents the secretion of enough melatonin necessary for falling asleep.

 

The use of synthetic or medicinal melatonin is increasing day by day. It can be taken for a short period to address sleep issues such as insomnia by enhancing the body’s natural melatonin stores, thereby helping one fall asleep quickly and reducing the frequency of nighttime awakenings. It may also be effective in alleviating sleep disorder symptoms caused by long-distance flights or what is known as a disruption of the biological clock.

 

Benefits of Melatonin

 

  • Melatonin preparations are primarily used to treat short-term sleep problems in individuals aged 55 and older. Doctors may also prescribe it to some children and adults suffering from long-term sleep disorders and chronic insomnia, although its use is not preferred in children and adolescents. It is only available by prescription and comes in the form of regular or extended-release tablets, as well as capsules and liquid forms.

 

  • Jet lag affects people when they travel by plane across multiple time zones. Consequently, individuals may experience sleep disturbances, daytime fatigue, reduced performance, and digestive issues. In such cases, melatonin supplements may help address these symptoms.

 

  • People suffering from a disrupted sleep-wake cycle often complain of difficulty sleeping at the usual times and of waking up in the morning; they usually find it hard to fall asleep before 2 to 6 a.m. and thus tend to wake up between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. In these cases, melatonin preparations can help improve or advance their sleep timing.

 

  • In addition to improving sleep, melatonin helps regulate immune function, blood pressure, and cortisol levels.

 

  • Melatonin acts as an antioxidant, which can be significantly beneficial in several health conditions.

 

  • It may improve eye health; thanks to its antioxidants that protect eye cells from damage, melatonin may help treat certain eye conditions such as glaucoma (high intraocular pressure) and age-related macular degeneration, and it reduces the risk of retinopathy.

 

  • Melatonin reduces the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder, which affects about 10 percent of people at the end of autumn and the beginning of winter.

 

  • It is also useful in alleviating acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux disease - GERD). GERD is a disorder caused by the reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus, leading to heartburn, nausea, and belching. Since melatonin can inhibit or prevent the secretion of stomach acid and reduce the production of nitric oxide—which relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter and allows acid to leak into the esophagus—it is believed to play a role in treating acidity and reflux.

 

  • Melatonin may increase levels of human growth hormone, which can lead to increased muscle strength and mass.

 

 

Important Facts About Medicinal Melatonin

 

  • Melatonin begins to take effect within one to two hours. Therefore, it should be taken within this timeframe when aiming to sleep at the desired time. 
  • It is usually used for up to 13 weeks, although in some cases it may be prescribed for a longer duration. 
  • Melatonin preparations are considered safe and non-addictive; however, they may cause minor side effects such as headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and irritability the following day. 
  • Consuming alcohol or smoking may reduce the medication's effectiveness. 
  • Combining melatonin with vitamin B6 may be beneficial for treating mild to moderate insomnia. 
  • Melatonin may interact with certain medications, including antidepressants, sedatives, blood thinners, blood pressure medications, and some analgesics. Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor before use, especially if other medications are being taken. 
  • The concurrent use of herbs that affect sleep with melatonin is not recommended, as this may lead to excessive drowsiness.

 

 

 

 

 

References

 

  1. The official website of the United Kingdom's National Health Service.

 

  1. The official website of the US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.

 

  1. Healthline.

 

  1. ScienceDirect



APPOINTMENT PATIENT PORTAL DOCTOR PORTAL