Melatonin: A Sleep Disorder Remedy

Suffering from a sleep disorder? Are you tired of trying out all sorts of home remedies with no desired positive results? Are you considering taking melatonin? Read on to understand what melatonin is and whether you should consider taking it as a sleep disorder remedy.

What is Melatonin?

Melatonin is a natural hormone produced by your body's pineal (pih-knee-uhl) gland, which is a pea-sized gland located just above the middle of the brain. Melatonin is what wakes you up in the morning and makes you sleepy at night. The pineal gland is inactive during the day and becomes active when the sun goes down and darkness occurs. Pineal gland activity usually occurs around 9 pm. You may begin to feel less alert during this time. Melatonin levels in the blood stay elevated for about 12 hours -- all through the night and fall back to a low level by about 9 am.

Research has shown that the amount of melatonin released at night varies among individuals, but it is somewhat related to age. Children on average secrete more melatonin than adults. When the production of melatonin drops, a person's ease of sleep decreases along with it.

Studies have shown that the intake of melatonin supplement can make you fall asleep faster, induce sleep, increase sleepiness, increase sleep efficiency, and increase sleep length. Melatonin has also been shown to reduce the symptoms of jet lag, especially when administered at bedtime after arrival.

Melatonin supplements have become a blessing in disguise for people who spend numerous and long nights without sleep. However, because it is not categorized as a drug, synthetic melatonin is made in factories that are not regulated by the FDA and its purity and overall integrity cannot be guaranteed.

How to Take Melatonin

Melatonin should only be taken at nighttime, usually about thirty minutes prior to going to bed.

Is melatonin safe? This question may arise in your mind. The only consistent side effects of high doses have been drowsiness, slower reaction time, sleepiness, headache, a "heavy-head" feeling, stomach discomfort, depression and feeling hung-over. More studies need to be conducted to determine the long time side effects of melatonin. Research also has to be conducted to determine the affect of taking other medications alongside melatonin.

Melatonin should not be administered to pregnant and nursing women, people with severe allergies, people with immune-system cancers such as lymphoma or leukemia, people with diabetes, epilepsy or depression. Women trying to conceive should also think twice about taking the hormone since high doses can act as a contraceptive

Melatonin should be taken with care as this sleep disorder remedy can also have negative effects. It is important that you consult a health professional before taking any kind of medication.

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