Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone produced by the pineal gland in the brain, primarily responsible for regulating the body’s sleep–wake cycle, also known as the circadian rhythm. It plays a key role in signaling to the body when it’s time to rest and when to wake up, making it an essential component of healthy sleep patterns.
How It Works
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Light and Darkness: Melatonin production increases in the evening as light levels decrease, helping promote sleepiness. During daylight, production is suppressed, keeping you alert.
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Hormonal Regulation: It interacts with the body’s internal clock to synchronize various biological processes with the day–night cycle.
Sources of Melatonin
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Natural Production – Made by the body in response to darkness.
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Dietary Sources – Found in small amounts in foods like cherries, bananas, oats, and nuts.
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Supplements – Available as over-the-counter tablets, capsules, or liquids for sleep aid or circadian rhythm adjustment.
Potential Benefits
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Improved Sleep Quality – May help reduce the time it takes to fall asleep and improve overall restfulness.
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Jet Lag Relief – Assists in resetting the body’s internal clock after crossing time zones.
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Shift Work Adjustment – Helps night-shift workers maintain better sleep schedules.
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Antioxidant Support – Melatonin has antioxidant properties that may protect cells from oxidative stress.
Dosage and Use
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Typical supplemental doses range from 0.5 mg to 5 mg, taken 30–60 minutes before bedtime.
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Low doses are generally recommended to start, as higher doses are not always more effective.
Possible Side Effects
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Daytime drowsiness
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Headache
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Dizziness
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Mild mood changes
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In rare cases, vivid dreams or nightmares
Precautions
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Not recommended for long-term use without medical supervision.
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Pregnant or breastfeeding women, and individuals with certain medical conditions, should consult a healthcare provider before use.
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Can interact with certain medications, including blood thinners, immune suppressants, and diabetes drugs.




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