Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland of all mammals, including humans. The pineal gland is small, light-sensitive organ located in the brain that secretes melatonin only during darkness. Humans begin producing melatonin as early as 3 months old. The production of melatonin increases until about age 20 at which point melatonin production begins to decrease.
Melatonin affects a number of processes in humans such as sleep and temperature. Melatonin also appears to play a role in the promotion of growth and maturity.
Low levels of melatonin in humans have been associated with depression, fibromyalgia, insomnia, some seizure disorders, and other conditions.
Uses and Benefits fo Melatonin Supplements
In the United States, melatonin is used in connection with a variety of problems including sleep disturbances often associated with jet lag. Although it is not recognized as prescription drug, melatonin has been assigned a special designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as an "orphan drug". An orphan drug has limited use, such as for the treatment of an uncommon disease or disorder. Melatonin is used in connection with blind individuals who suffer from sleep disturbances caused by interruptions in daily rhythm. As such melatonin can be purchased without a prescription.
For over decade, melatonin has been studied extensively for use in connection with the spread of certain types of cancer. In animal studies, melatonin appears to keep some forms for cancer from spreading as rapidly as tumors that have not been treated. In human studies similar results have also been seen. Melatonin appeared to help slow down the spread of cancerous tumors, but much more research is required to provide any conclusive evidence that melatonin is effective against cancer. For use in connection with cancer, melatonin is most often injected into muscle tissue, but injectable melatonin is not available for use in the U.S.
Additionally, melatonin has been show to be relatively effective for helping:
- Ease withdrawal from benzodiazepine for individuals who have become dependent on those drugs.
- Individuals who are trying to stop smoking.
- Prevent cluster headaches in individuals who suffer from this type of headaches.
- Protect against ultraviolet light and sunburn.
Notwithstanding, its many claimed medicinal indications no definitive results prove that melatonin is effective for any of them.
Dosage and Administration
Supplemental melatonin should be synthetic since organic melatonin derived from animals carries the risk of possible contamination with viruses and other toxins. Because of concerns with contamination and safety, some countries prohibit the sale of melatonin supplements or restrict their use.
In the U.S., melatonin is most readily available as capsules and tablets -- some in controlled-release forms that deliver measured doses of melatonin over extended periods of time. It also comes in a tablet that dissolves under the tongue. Although dosing for melatonin is not consistent, common recommendations for its use include:
- For insomnia: 0.3mg to 5mg at bedtime.
- For jet lag: 0.5mg to 5mg at bedtime for up to 5 days, beginning on the day of arrival at the destination.
- For benzodiazepine withdrawal: 2mg controlled-release daily at bedtime for 6 weeks as the benzodiazepine dose is gradually decreased.
- For smoking cessation: 0.3mg 3 1/2 hours after the last cigarette.
- The length of melatonin use varies considerably. In clinical studies, melatonin has been used for as long as 9 months, but most commonly it is used for only a few days or weeks at a time. If you choose to use melatonin, follow exactly the directions on the package of the product you purchase
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