Sleep and health benefits of melatonin

Since its discovery in 1958, much has been said about melatonin as a natural sleeping pill. Medical authors have labeled it as a wonder drug, and insomniacs, light-sleepers, the elderly and frequent travelers may very well agree.

Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone produced by the pineal gland located in the center of the brain. Its primary role is to regulate cycles of sleep and wakefulness, which is why it is prescribed as a natural sleeping pill. Frequent travelers who experience jet lag and those suffering from sleeping disorders swear to the wonders of melatonin as a non-toxic sleeping aid.

The levels of melatonin in the body correspond with the cycles of night and day, with the highest melatonin levels produced at night. Melatonin produces a substance called arginine vasotocin. This secretion has an inhibiting effect on cortisol, a stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands. Insomniacs typically tend to have high nighttime levels of the hormone that tends to keep them in an agitated state. Inhibition of cortisol promotes good night sleep and at the same time, allows regeneration.

Normally, the human body has the capacity to produce melatonin to regulate sleep-wake cycles. However, the body produces less melatonin as one gets older, which is why elderly people have difficulty sleeping. Scientists believe that this is the reason why older people find it difficult to sleep well compared to younger individuals. Scientific studies suggest that melatonin can help enhance sleep and ease the burden of jet lag and all other ailments associated with light-sleeping.

Frequent travelers and shift workers are also likely to benefit from melatonin for the resynchronization of their sleep schedules and relief from the symptoms of jet lag. In a well-designed double blind trial that involved 52 international flight crew members taking either melatonin or a placebo (dummy pills) for three days before and five days after an international flight, it was found that melatonin significantly reduced symptoms of jet lag and resulted in quicker recovery of pre-flight energy levels and alertness.

In another double blind trial, people who had difficulty sleeping as a result of bothersome ringing of the ears called tinnitus were better able to sleep if given three milligrams of melatonin per night for one month rather than placebo.

The suppression of cortisol not only impacts positively on sleep-wake cycles but is also good for the immune system. Research using supplemental melatonin demonstrated its immune potential, when administered to mice whose immune systems were challenged by corticosteroids.

Similar results were reported when test mice were exposed to a highly toxic virus. Most of the mice who were pre-treated with melatonin showed a markedly higher survival rate than those who were not. This is because melatonin exhibits immuno-protective benefits that can help boost one’s resistance, especially in the presence of mental, physical or environmental stress. Air pollution is a major cause of environmental stress.

One can avail himself of the benefits of melatonin through Trianon Melatonin-T, which comes in 3-mg capsules and is available as an over-the-counter supplement in all Mercury Drug Store outlets nationwide.