Overview
What is melatonin?
Melatonin is a
hormone made by the
pineal gland, a small gland in the brain. Melatonin helps control your sleep
and wake cycles. Very small amounts of it are found in foods such as meats,
grains, fruits, and vegetables. You can also buy it as a
supplement.
What does natural melatonin do in the body?
Your
body has its own internal clock that controls your natural cycle of sleeping
and waking hours. In part, your body clock controls how much melatonin your
body makes. Normally, melatonin levels begin to rise in the mid- to late
evening, remain high for most of the night, and then drop in the early morning
hours.
Light affects how much melatonin your body produces. During
the shorter days of the winter months, your body may produce melatonin either
earlier or later in the day than usual. This change can lead to symptoms of
seasonal affective disorder (SAD), or winter
depression.
Natural melatonin levels slowly drop with age. Some older adults make
very small amounts of it or none at all.
Why is melatonin used as a dietary supplement?
Melatonin supplements are sometimes used to treat
jet lag or sleep problems (insomnia). Scientists are also looking at other good uses for melatonin, such as:
- Treating seasonal affective disorder
(SAD).
- Helping to control sleep patterns for people who work night
shifts.
- Preventing or reducing problems with sleeping and
confusion after surgery.
- Reducing chronic cluster headaches.
Is taking a melatonin dietary supplement safe?
In
most cases, melatonin supplements are safe in low doses for short-term and
long-term use. But be sure to talk with your doctor about taking them.
Children and pregnant or nursing women should not take melatonin without
talking to a doctor first.
Melatonin does have side effects. But
they will go away when you stop taking the supplement. Side effects
may include:
- Sleepiness.
- Lower body temperature.
-
Vivid dreams.
- Morning grogginess.
- Small changes in blood pressure.
If melatonin makes you feel drowsy, do not drive or
operate machinery when you are taking it.
During health exams,
tell your doctor if you are taking melatonin. And tell your doctor if you are
having trouble sleeping (insomnia), because it may be related to a medical
problem.
In adults, melatonin is taken in doses from 0.2 mg to 20.0
mg, based on the reason for its use. The right dose varies widely from one
person to another. Talk to your doctor to learn the right dosage and to find
out if melatonin is right for you.
Where can you find a melatonin supplement?
You
can buy melatonin supplements without a prescription at health food stores,
drugstores, and online. Melatonin should only be taken in its man-made form.