Preparations containing melatonin: instructions for use of tablets, dosage, contraindications and reviews

What is melatonin?

Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland in your brain ().

It is primarily responsible for regulating your body's circadian rhythm to manage your natural sleep cycle ().

Therefore, it is often used as a sleep enhancer to combat problems such as insomnia.

It is widely available in Russia and the United States as an over-the-counter product, but requires a prescription in other parts of the world such as Europe and Australia.

In addition to improving sleep, melatonin is also involved in managing immune function, blood pressure, and cortisol levels ().

Additionally, it acts as an antioxidant, and some studies suggest that it may have a significant impact on many conditions.

In fact, research shows that melatonin may improve eye health, reduce symptoms of seasonal depression, and even relieve acid reflux (, , ).

Summary:

Melatonin is a hormone that regulates your body's sleep cycle. It is also associated with other benefits for your health.

How does melatonin act on the body?

The main role of the hormone is the regulation of biorhythms. It helps fight insomnia. When we sleep, the brain works. He analyzes the information received during the day. At the same time, systems and organs relax and restore. It is important for a person to get enough sleep so that biological rhythms are restructured without negative consequences. This is the only way to ensure good health and stability in the functioning of systems and organs.

Scientists have proven that melatonin has powerful antioxidant properties. It easily penetrates cell membranes and neutralizes free radicals that have a destructive effect. Some studies say that the effect of the sleep hormone is twice as strong as that of vitamin E.

Melatonin helps normalize mental activity. The hormone reduces anxiety and allows you to relax. It improves the cognitive abilities of the brain by actively stimulating visual perception.

The “sleepy” hormone prevents the appearance of cancer cells and is involved in the fight against the development of malignant neoplasms. The substance also has an immunostimulating effect by normalizing the mental state. It has been proven that stress, irritability, and anxiety weaken the body's defenses. He becomes more susceptible to various diseases.

May support better sleep

Melatonin is often called the sleep hormone – and for good reason.

It is one of the most popular sleep aids and a common natural remedy for treating problems such as insomnia.

Numerous studies have shown that melatonin can support better sleep.

One study of 50 people with insomnia found that taking melatonin two hours before bed helped people fall asleep faster and improve overall sleep quality ().

Another large analysis of 19 studies involving children and adults with sleep disorders found that melatonin reduced the time it took to fall asleep, increased total sleep time, and improved sleep quality ().

However, although melatonin is associated with fewer side effects than other sleep medications, it may be less effective ().

Summary:

Research shows that melatonin can increase total sleep time, reduce the time it takes to fall asleep, and improve sleep quality in children and adults.

Combination of melatonin and other drugs

Melatonin is available in the form of tablets of the same name or is included in other medications. Analogs and substitutes contain the same substances, the list of which includes:

• stearic acid;
• cellulose in the form of microcrystals;
• colloidal silicon dioxide;
• disubstituted anhydrous calcium phosphate;
• magnesium stearate;
• croscarmellose sodium.

Reviews from doctors report that the body's daily need for melatonin does not exceed 2-3 mg. At the same time, drugs containing a synthetic analogue of the hormone are available in dosages of 1.3, 5 and 10 mg.

There are several types of drugs on the market that contain melatonin:

1. "Melaxen". The medicine is prescribed if it is necessary to adapt after changing time zones, in order to normalize sleep and wakefulness.
2. "Circadin." The effect of the drug becomes noticeable after 2-3 days. The substances that make up the drug are eliminated from the body relatively quickly, provided there are no renal pathologies. "Circadin" refers to dietary supplements, but it contains a small amount of melatonin. The drug is used mainly in the treatment of insomnia in older people. The dietary supplement is slowly absorbed through the intestines, resulting in a cumulative effect.
3. "Melarena." The drug is used to restore melatonin concentrations in children over 8 years of age and women during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
4. "Sleep Formula" This drug is classified as a dietary supplement. The dietary supplement contains exclusively natural ingredients that stimulate the production of the sleep hormone.

In addition to these drugs, a synthetic analogue of melatonin is found in the following medications:

• “Melari;
• "Melaton";
• "Vita melatonin".

Drugs in this group are taken according to the same rules as synthetic melatonin.

When prescribing melatonin, it is necessary to take into account the degree of influence of this hormone on other drugs. It enhances the effect of psychoactive drugs that are used to restore the activity of the nervous system and suppress seizures.

Melatonin is not recommended for use simultaneously with other hormonal drugs and with sleeping pills such as Zaleplon or Zopiclone. With this combination, concentration sharply decreases and coordination of movements worsens.

The hormonal drug should be used with extreme caution along with methamphetamines. Melatonin enhances the effect of Isoniazid, which is prescribed for tuberculosis.

It is prohibited to combine this hormonal drug with Cimetidine, Fluvoxamine, 5- and 8-methoxypsoralen. These medications stimulate the work of the pineal gland, as a result of which, with such a combination, the concentration of melatonin sharply increases.

If there is a deficiency of the hormone, it is not recommended to take aspirin, beta blockers, antidepressants and tranquilizers, as they reduce its level in the body.

The drug contains the active ingredient melatonin, as well as a number of auxiliary components: microcrystalline cellulose, anhydrous disubstituted calcium phosphate, magnesium stearate, colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, stearic acid.

The supplement is sold in the form of white tablets, which are then washed down with water. Some manufacturers produce the drug in the form of chewable pills.

The hormone is contained in the following supplements:

1. Vita-melatonin, each tablet contains up to three milligrams of the active substance. Produced in the USA. One package contains 30 tablets.
2. Melarithm, containing a similar amount of melatonin as the American drug. The Russian supplement is produced in packages of 24 tablets.
3. Circadin, which is a Swiss drug. One pill contains two milligrams of the hormone.
4. Melaxen. Another American supplement. Each tablet contains three milligrams of the substance.

These drugs have proven themselves to be the most effective and time-tested.

Sports nutrition

People who actively engage in sports are recommended to take dietary supplements rather than pharmaceutical drugs. Sports nutrition manufacturers develop and produce their own supplements that have a positive effect on recovery processes after training during the sleep phase. They have a positive anti-catabolic effect when a person experiences emotional and physical stress. This effect has made these drugs popular among people leading an active lifestyle.

It is recommended to take biologically active sports supplements with melatonin at night (half an hour before going to bed). In addition, they are recommended for use when flying when the time zone changes. You should take the supplement an hour before your flight. You should not take the drug before training. Suppression of physical activity with disorientation leads to a decrease in the effectiveness of the activity. It is not recommended to take the drug in the morning and during the day.

The best manufacturers and sports supplements

• OptimumNutrition with 100 tablets of 3 mg.
• NOW Foods with 60 3 mg capsules.
• UltimateNutrition with 60 3 mg pills.
• Scitec Nutrition with 90 tablets of 1 mg.
• Universal Nutrition with 60 pills of 5 mg.

If we compare pharmaceutical drugs and sports supplements with the active substance, the latter are much more profitable. The melatonin content in each individual capsule is the same, but the number of tablets in dietary supplements is larger, but at the same time they have a lower cost.

Taking the drug with agents that block beta-adrenergic receptors leads to a decrease in the production of the hormone. Melatonin supplements work well with sleep aids, producing a synergistic effect. The hormone increases the effectiveness of tamoxifen, which has an antitumor effect. It enhances the antibacterial effect of isoniazid.

May reduce symptoms of seasonal depression

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), also called seasonal depression, is a common condition estimated to affect up to 10% of the population worldwide ().

This type of depression is associated with changes in the seasons and occurs around the same time each year, with symptoms typically appearing in late fall or early winter.

Some research suggests that this may be due to changes in your circadian rhythm caused by changes in light ().

Because melatonin plays a role in regulating the circadian rhythm, low doses are often used to reduce symptoms of seasonal depression.

One study of 68 people found that changes in the circadian rhythm contributed to seasonal depression, but a daily dose of melatonin was effective in reducing symptoms ().

However, other studies remain inconclusive regarding the effects of melatonin on seasonal depression.

For example, another review of eight studies found that melatonin is not effective in reducing symptoms of mood disorders, including bipolar disorder, depression, and SAD ().

Further research is needed to determine how melatonin may influence symptoms of seasonal depression.

Summary:

Seasonal depression may be due to changes in your body's circadian rhythm. One study found that melatonin capsules may help reduce symptoms, but other studies are inconclusive.

Normalization of the stage of falling asleep

Melatonin has firmly established itself as a chronobiotic drug that normalizes all stages of falling asleep and staying asleep. The hormone can be used both for the treatment of serious biorhythm disorders and for the correction of temporary disruptions in the sleep-wake cycle due to rapid changes in time zones.

Melatonin preparations have an additional positive effect in the treatment of depressive conditions, especially in older age.

The advantages of melatonin include its high safety profile, good tolerability and minimal side effects with long-term use.

May increase human growth hormone levels

Human growth hormone (somatotropin) is a type of hormone that is vital for growth and cellular regeneration ().

Higher levels of this important hormone are also associated with increases in both strength and muscle mass (, ).

Some studies have found that taking melatonin supplements can increase growth hormone levels in men.

One small study of 8 men found that both low (0.5 mg) and high (5 mg) doses of melatonin were effective in increasing growth hormone levels ().

Another study of 32 men showed similar results ().

However, larger studies are needed to understand how melatonin may affect human growth hormone levels in general.

Summary:

Some studies have found that taking melatonin may increase human growth hormone levels in men, but more research is needed.

Negative consequences

Whether the drug Melatonin is harmful has not been fully studied. Several studies have been conducted to examine the safety of such drugs. As a result, no serious side effects were identified and no dependence or withdrawal syndrome was detected.

Despite the positive findings, many experts are concerned that the artificially produced hormone may interfere with the production of natural melatonin. In addition, the results of the studies were short-term, which does not give grounds to assert that there will be no problems in the future.

However, general unpleasant symptoms were still recorded. During the appointment, patients complained:

• for excitement;
• headache;
• nausea;
• dizziness.

The sleeping pill Melatonin is considered relatively safe. In the long term (short-term), it is even possible to take pills with an increased dosage. But doctors believe that additional research is required to clarify some controversial points.

May promote eye health

Melatonin is high in antioxidants, which can help prevent cell damage and keep your eyes healthy.

In fact, research shows that melatonin may be helpful in treating conditions such as glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (macular degeneration).

In a study of 100 people with macular degeneration, taking 3 mg of melatonin for 6 to 24 months helped protect the retina, slow age-related damage, and maintain visual clarity ().

Additionally, a study in rats found that melatonin reduced the severity and incidence of retinopathy, an eye disease that affects the retina and can lead to vision loss ().

However, research is limited, and more human studies are needed to determine the long-term effects of melatonin supplements on eye health.

Summary:

Melatonin is high in antioxidants and has been shown in human and animal studies to treat eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and retinopathy.

Contraindications to taking melatonin

The main contraindications to taking melatonin tablets are pregnancy, breastfeeding, the presence of autoimmune diseases or severe forms of allergies, and cancer. Before you start using Melaxen, you should carefully study the instructions for the drug and, if you have doubts about the possibility of taking it, consult your doctor. People who do not have serious illnesses can take the drug on their own.

Many other sleeping pills, such as phenazepam, are contraindicated for such a common disorder as obstructive sleep apnea. With this disease, the patient periodically experiences pauses in breathing during sleep.

Express test:

The drugs increase the number and duration of pauses in breathing, aggravate the symptoms and consequences of the disease. Their use can lead to hypertensive crises, heart rhythm disturbances, angina pectoris, and an increased risk of strokes and heart attacks. Melaxen is not contraindicated for apnea and does not harm such patients in any way.

May Help Treat GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition caused by the backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus, leading to symptoms such as heartburn, nausea and belching ().

Melatonin has been shown to block the secretion of stomach acids. It also reduces the production of nitric oxide, a compound that relaxes your lower esophageal sphincter, allowing stomach acid to enter your esophagus ().

For this reason, some studies suggest that melatonin can be used to treat heartburn and GERD.

One study of 36 people found that taking melatonin alone or in combination with omeprazole (a common medication for GERD) was effective in reducing heartburn and discomfort ().

Another study of 351 people with GERD compared the effects of omeprazole and a dietary supplement containing melatonin, along with several amino acids, vitamins and plant compounds.

After 40 days of treatment, 100% of people taking a melatonin supplement reported a reduction in symptoms, compared to 65.7% of the group taking omeprazole ().

Summary:

Melatonin can block stomach acid secretion and nitric oxide synthesis. Research suggests it may be effective in reducing heartburn and GERD symptoms when used alone or in combination with medications.

Summary

Melatonin is of great importance for the normal functioning of the entire human body. It is responsible not only for sleep, but also for the course of many physiological processes. A hormone with antioxidant properties prevents the development of many diseases and helps fight depression and stress. When the first symptoms of a substance deficiency appear, you should consult a doctor. Taking medications with melatonin on your own is prohibited. An excess of the hormone leads to a decrease in its natural production by the pineal gland.

Dosage

Melatonin can be taken in doses of 0.5 to 10 mg per day.

However, since not all melatonin supplements are created equal, it is best to stick to the recommended dosage listed on the label to avoid adverse side effects.

You can also start with a lower dose and increase it as needed to find the dose that works best for you.

If you're using melatonin to improve your sleep quality, try taking it 30 minutes before bed for maximum effectiveness.

Meanwhile, if you're using it to adjust your circadian rhythm and establish a more regular sleep schedule, you should take it 2-3 hours before bed.

Summary:

Melatonin can be taken in doses of 0.5-10 mg per day 0.5-3 hours before bed, although it is best to follow the recommended dosage listed on your supplement label.

Harm

There is not much information available about the dangers of melatonin. Many tests have been carried out, and so far it has not been possible to scientifically document significant harm from taking the drugs. However, with a dosage significantly higher than the norm, some side effects can be observed:

• Headaches, migraines.
• Depressive state.
• Lethargy, drowsiness.
• Minor swelling in the face area.
• Unpleasant sensations in the gastrointestinal tract, feeling of nausea and dry mouth.
• In rare cases, allergic reactions are possible, in particular when taking melatonin, synthesized from the pineal gland of animals. But at present, most drugs containing this substance are produced only in a laboratory using modern methods, which eliminates the possibility of allergies.

Safety and side effects

Research shows that melatonin is safe and non-addictive when used in both short- and long-term use by adults ().

Additionally, despite concerns that melatonin supplements may reduce your body's ability to produce it naturally, several studies have found otherwise (, ).

However, because long-term research on the effects of melatonin on the adult body is limited, this supplement is not currently recommended for children or teenagers (see Is Melatonin Safe for Children?) ().

Some of the most commonly reported side effects associated with melatonin include: nausea, headaches, dizziness, and drowsiness ().

Melatonin may also interact with certain medications, including antidepressants, blood thinners (anticoagulants), and medications that reduce high blood pressure (, ,).

If you are taking any of these medications, talk to your doctor before taking melatonin to prevent side effects.

You can learn more about the side effects of melatonin on this page – Melatonin Side Effects: What are the Risks?

Summary:

Research shows melatonin is safe and associated with minimal side effects in adults, but may interact with certain medications.

Melatonin instructions for use

Drug interactions. The combined use of melatonin and beta-blockers leads to a mutual decrease in the level of these substances in the body. The effect of sedative antidepressants, tranquilizers and other sedatives is reduced. Incompatible with glucocorticoids, cyclosporine and MAO inhibitors.

Precautionary measures. Not recommended for use with aspirin and ibuprofen

Drivers should refrain from using vehicles while their vehicles are moving and people who require a high concentration of attention.

Additional instructions

Use with caution in women wishing to become pregnant, as the tablets have little contraceptive effect. While taking melatonin tablets, you should avoid drinking alcohol and smoking

Overdose. No consequences identified. Although there is data on the use of up to 24 grams per month, although such doses are very high. In rare cases, prolonged sleep, memory problems, and disorientation were noted.

How to use

Melatonin capsules are intended for oral administration. While taking the drug, bright lighting should be avoided.

Adults are usually prescribed one or two 3-5 mg tablets immediately before bedtime. The tablet should be swallowed whole without biting, with water. For children over 12 years of age, as prescribed by a doctor, usually no more than one tablet at bedtime.

Contraindications: during pregnancy, during breastfeeding, children under 12 years of age. Diseases - chronic renal failure, epilepsy, diabetes mellitus, allergic and autoimmune diseases, lymphogranulomatosis, leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, hypersensitivity.

Summarize

• Melatonin may improve sleep, eye health, seasonal depression, human growth hormone levels, and reduce GERD symptoms.
• Doses of 0.5-10 mg per day appear to be effective, although it is best to follow the individual supplement label recommendations.
• Melatonin is safe and associated with minimal side effects, but may interact with some medications. It is currently not recommended for children.

Tags: Melatonin

Related Posts
• Vitamin C for colds: does it help or not?
• Selenium: benefits and harm to the body, norm, sources, side effects
• Soy protein: benefit or harm?

« Previous entry

The benefits of melatonin: which foods contain it and how to increase it?

The sleep hormone is contained in some foods, so you should consume them as much as possible. These include:

• cherries – a natural source of melatonin;

• bread baked from whole wheat varieties;

• bananas themselves do not contain the hormone, but they activate production;

• pine nuts and almonds.

By eating such foods, you can significantly increase the level of the hormone in the body and there will be a minimum of third-party reactions, since it is not synthetic.

The hormone is also present in corn, basil, parsley, lettuce, fresh tomatoes and cucumbers, dill, oatmeal, and raisins. Pumpkin, beans, chicken eggs, and lean meats are no less useful.

To produce melatonin in the body naturally, it is important to know some rules:

• go to bed no later than 22.00;

• engage in sports exercises for at least an hour;

• don't sleep with the lights on;

• sleep at least 8 hours and if this is not enough, then make up for it with daytime sleep;

• do one fasting day a week.

By following these simple rules, anyone will feel much better.

Who should take it?

Indications for use:

• chronic insomnia;
• difficulty falling asleep due to overwork and stress;
• increased anxiety and irritability;
• sudden changes in work schedule or time zones;
• physical fatigue due to hard work or intense training;
• diseases with chronically low melatonin levels, such as schizophrenia.

The compound has a sedative effect, so it is used not only as a sleeping pill, but also as a sedative. Thanks to this, complete relaxation is achieved during sleep, this is a necessary condition for recovery. In addition, it has immunomodulatory and antitumor effects, and the ability to slow down the aging process. An appointment can be prescribed in the absence of circadian rhythm disorders, if the doctor expects to obtain a specific effect on a particular patient.

How is it taken?

Should be taken in the evening, usually recommended half an hour before going to bed. The action occurs on average after 45-60 minutes. Bright lighting should be avoided as it will reduce efficiency.

It is important to carefully study the instructions for melatonin, since the dosage regimen for different dietary supplements is different. It is important to look at how much active ingredient is contained in the tablet. The safe daily dosage for a course of treatment does not exceed 3 mg, the maximum single dose is 6 mg. As a rule, in the first days no more than a milligram is taken, then the dosage is gradually increased. The optimal dosage regimen is indicated in the description of a specific drug.

The duration of the course is usually a month, the doctor can extend the treatment up to two months. If a repeated course is necessary, the break is at least a week. An exception may be older people who take low dosages to correct blood pressure, for them the duration is from three months to six months.

The description of melatonin does not say anything about the incompatibility of its use and alcohol. But it is still better to abstain from alcohol during the treatment period. The sleep hormone may not cope with its task, since the effect of alcoholic drinks on the nervous system will be the opposite.

About the benefits

All of the beneficial properties listed below are scientifically proven. They have been proven by a number of studies conducted around the world.

Normalization of sleep

The first thing melatonin is associated with is a sleeping pill. Indeed, this is the most common application. Medicines based on this active substance are highly effective, but they also have a number of side effects. Long-term use of high dosages is undesirable, as this leads to the formation of dependence. That is why specialists do not resort to prescribing them until they are convinced that the problem cannot be dealt with using natural sedatives.

The European Union has approved a dosage of 2 mg for the treatment of insomnia in the early stages with a noticeable decrease in sleep quality. This conclusion was preceded by a number of studies. In 2012, a scientific paper was published in Drugs & Aging, the authors of which studied the prolonged effect on patients with insomnia over the age of 55 years. A double-blind study with random sampling was also conducted. It showed that taking 2 mg of the drug 1-2 hours before bedtime significantly increased the duration and quality of sleep, as well as alertness and activity during the day compared to taking a placebo. This helps improve quality of life and improve health.

Regarding dependence and withdrawal effects, no such cases were identified during use at this dosage. The researchers determined that it was not the duration of use that caused the side effects, but the high dosages.

Treatment of prostate and breast cancer

Several studies have linked reduced melatonin production to breast cancer risk. Next, work was done to determine the effectiveness of its use in suppressing tumor growth. The experiment was carried out on mice in laboratory conditions; they were given cancer cells and doses of the hormone, then the reaction was observed. It was found that the growth of the tumor slowed down significantly. So in 2014, the new potential of a substance that was previously called the sleep hormone was revealed.

Other research projects followed. As an experiment, a group of women with breast cancer was recruited for whom chemotherapy with the drug tamoxifen did not bring significant improvements. After intensifying melatonin therapy, 28% of participants experienced a moderate reduction in tumor size.

A study on prostate cancer was published in the journal Oncology Reports. Researchers say that men with this disease typically have reduced production of this hormone. Its introduction in the form of drugs made it possible to inhibit the division of cancer cells.

At this time, melatonin cannot be used as a guaranteed effective cancer treatment, but it has great potential. Perhaps in the future it will become a natural remedy against cancer, which science has been working on for many years.

Menopause relief

During menopause, women often experience sleep problems, the reason being hormonal changes in the body. One of the studies involved women from 42 to 62 years old, during premenopause and after its onset. They took melatonin every day for sleep, as a result, most noted not only the normalization of circadian rhythms, but also a general improvement in well-being and relief from symptoms of depression. The organizers associated the improvements with the restoration of full functioning of the thyroid gland and pituitary gland.

Protection of the heart and blood vessels

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects are beneficial for the cardiovascular system. The effect is expressed in the normalization of blood pressure and the reduction of bad cholesterol. According to researchers, the result is achieved by eliminating free radicals. At the moment, these properties of melatonin allow it to be used as a preventive measure for heart and vascular diseases; future research will allow its use as a medicine.

Help with chronic pain

With fibromyalgia, patients experience muscle pain throughout the body, the cause of which cannot be diagnosed. One study involved more than a hundred people with this syndrome. This was a placebo-controlled, randomized trial that showed improvement in fibromyalgia symptoms when taking melatonin or in combination with a previously prescribed antidepressant. The introduction of the hormone made it possible not only to relieve the pain, but also to reduce the dosage of the antidepressant traditionally used in such cases.

It is hoped that in the future these findings will help patients with other types of chronic pain, such as migraines.

Strengthening the immune system

The antioxidant properties of the compound have a positive effect on the immune system. In one of the scientific reviews in 2013, during the period of active study of the properties of melatonin, it was called an immune shock absorber. This meant that it can be used as a stimulant, including in immunosuppressive states. It will have an anti-inflammatory effect when the immune response is very strong, for example, during acute inflammation.

Help with jet lag

Jet lag is the name given to jet lag when a person crosses several time zones on a plane and cannot adapt to the new time. The body's circadian rhythms can change, but this happens gradually. Therefore, most people find it difficult to fly with a large time difference. With the help of the sleep hormone, you can not only alleviate jet lag, but also completely eliminate it.

It was experimentally found that in nine out of ten cases, taking melatonin before the expected bedtime reduced the syndrome caused by crossing five or more time zones. An experiment was also conducted in which subjects received melatonin daily in amounts of 0.5 mg or more. When comparing the results, the scientists came to the conclusion that taking more than 5 mg is inappropriate, since further increases in dosage did not lead to an improvement in the result. They highlighted the timing of taking melatonin tablets as the main point, since taking them too early can have the opposite effect and slow down adaptation.

For autism in children

There is evidence that the supplement may be beneficial for children with autism spectrum disorders. Information about this was first published in Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology in 2011. This was a review combining 35 studies, not only on the topic of autism, but also on Asperger and Rett syndrome, and other disorders in child development. The conclusions of the review include improvements in daytime behavior and nighttime sleep with minimal likelihood of side effects.

For ringing in the ears

Ringing in the ears or tinnitus may go away on its own, but if it bothers you for a long time, the situation is likely to be aggravated by nervousness and depression. Science has concluded that the antioxidant properties of the sleep hormone may be beneficial in relieving tinnitus. For the study, adult patients with this problem took 3 mg every evening, this significantly reduced the manifestation of tinnitus and improved the quality of sleep.

Stress relief

Melatonin synthesis and the psycho-emotional state of a person are interconnected. When stress levels are high, production decreases at night and increases during the day, this is controlled by the stress hormone cortisol. There is also a reverse connection; with the help of the sleep hormone, you can control the level of stimulation of the nervous system and reduce stress. It will also be useful for anxiety and mood swings.

How and when the hormone is produced

Before discussing why melatonin is needed and whether it is worth taking a synthetic analogue in case of its deficiency, you need to understand the mechanism by which the substance occurs.

The pineal gland is an endocrine gland located between the hemispheres of the brain. Its secretory cells (pinealocytes) synthesize melatonin from the neurotransmitter hormone serotonin and send it into the blood and cerebrospinal fluid. That is, this substance cannot be produced adequately if the level of the good mood hormone is insufficient.

A special condition necessary for the pineal gland to actively produce melatonin is darkness. Therefore, doctors recommend not turning on bright lights after 19.00, and from 21.00 until you fall asleep to stay with a night light, a lit candle, or the dim light of a table lamp with a 40-watt bulb on. You need to sleep in a dark, curtained room, preferably with an eye mask.

The time when the human pineal gland produces the largest amount of melatonin is from midnight to five o’clock in the morning, so sleep during this period is the most productive and beneficial.

In daylight, the hormone is also produced, but only 25-35% of the daily amount. The normal concentration for an adult is considered to be from 9 to 11 pg/ml of a biologically active substance during daylight hours and from 70 to 100 pg/ml at night.