Melatonin – what is it and how does it work? Is melatonin safe and in what doses should you take it? [WE EXPLAIN]

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It is normal to unconsciously wake up during sleep. On the other hand, we can talk about insomnia when there are problems with falling asleep, difficulties in maintaining sleep, waking up too early in the morning and when sleep does not give you rest and relaxation. The quality of our sleep can be improved by melatonin.

Melatonin is considered by many to be an effective way to fight insomnia and other sleep disorders. It will help both the elderly and those working in shifts. However, melatonin is a substance that affects other aspects of human life as well. What Should You See About Melatonin?

What is Melatonin?

Many people who have sleep problems turn to malatonin, but it is worth knowing that it is not a drug in the strict sense of the word.

It is a naturally occurring substance in the human body that begins to release after dark. It is often called the hormone of darkness. Melatonin is mainly produced in the pineal gland, which is a cluster of cells deep in the brain that signal from the eyes that night is coming. Then the production of this organic chemical begins, and when its concentration reaches a sufficiently high level, we become sleepy.

In other words, melatonin is the most important regulator of what is called the biological clock. Thanks to it, our body knows when it is day and when it is night. The peak of melatonin concentration in our body is observed between midnight and 24 a.m.

Read more: Biorhythm and time of day and seasons. How does our biological clock work?

It is also worth knowing that melatonin is also produced in the eyes (and more precisely in the retina), as well as in the marrow and intestines. Melatonin, which is formed in the digestive tract, controls bowel movements.

Melatonin – influence on the circadian rhythm

Melatonin has a strong influence on the circadian rhythm, so it can be used to treat insomnia that is associated with disturbances in this rhythm. It works well in people with delayed sleep phase syndrome, suffering from eye diseases, people working in shifts or frequently traveling by plane to other time zones.

In the case of chronic insomnia, which may have multiple causes, melatonin is used when it is necessary to regulate the circadian rhythm. Its action allows for the synchronization of biological processes naturally occurring in our bodies.

However, in order for melatonin to fulfill its task, it is necessary to very precisely determine the time at which it should be taken. This, in turn, can be difficult, especially in people over 50, whose secretion of their own melatonin is very limited. It turns out, however, that there is a solution for that as well. Long-acting melatonin can be used on the doctor’s prescription (prescription)but then you have to strictly follow the specialist’s instructions. Then you will not have to wait long for the effects. It will be easier not only to fall asleep and stay asleep, but also to rest, which will improve your functioning during the day.

Melatonin – YANGO dietary supplement is available on Medonet Market.

Check it out: Cherry juice is a natural remedy for insomnia

Melatonin and sleep disorders

Melatonin is a hormone secreted naturally in the human body. If this process goes wrong, the hormone stops regulating the daily sleep-wake cycle. As a result, the sleep phase is delayed, which means that we go to bed later. This problem affects many young people.

The disorder develops as a result of the inconsistency between our circadian rhythm and the rhythm imposed by the current lifestyle, i.e. studying late in college or working in three shifts.

People with sleep disorders often start to feel tired and sleepy only around 2 am or in the morning. Even if these people go to bed early to save themselves somehow, sleep does not make them rested. Their concentration and ability to remember information decline and they become more irritable. In this group of people, melatonin therapy often helps.

Another group of people who can be helped by melatonin are people over 60. They are characterized by an accelerated sleep phase, which means that they sleep less and wake up much earlier than others.

Sleep disorders should be consulted with your family doctor. During the visit, the doctor will collect an interview and advise you on how to deal with the problems. You can make an appointment today via the halodoctor.pl portal.

Are you looking for a way to fall asleep easier? Order 1 mg melatonin tablets for sleep disorders and regeneration of the body.

Melatonin – causes of sleep disorders

Among the factors that make it difficult to fall asleep, the following should also be mentioned:

1. strong emotions related to problems at work, at home, or even as a result of a film or a book read;
2. partner’s snoring – snoring can wake up even several times a night;
3. light from diodes or noise of switched on electronic equipment;
4. lantern light;
5. noisy neighbors;
6. the period of menopause in a woman;
7. various diseases, e.g. depression, acid reflux, asthma;
8. medications taken;
9. shift work;
10. travel related to changing the time zone.

Check: Sleeping pills – how and when to use?

Melatonin – what is the correct concentration?

Melatonin is a hormone that occurs naturally in the human body. However, its concentration depends on age. The highest concentration of melatonin is in childhood, while the older we get, the less melatonin in our body. The changes in melatonin concentration are as follows:

1. children between 1 and 3 years of age – 250 pg / ml;
2. children and adolescents between 8 and 15 years of age (adolescence) – 120-180 pg / ml;
3. adults – 70-80 pg / ml;
4. the elderly between 65 and 85 years of age – 20-30 pg / ml.

It should also be remembered that the concentration of melatonin during the day does not change and remains at the level characteristic for a given period of human life. On the other hand, melatonin levels drop at night as melatonin production slows down. The amount of melatonin produced at night also decreases with age. For this reason, older people usually have problems falling asleep and sleep shorter than children and adolescents.

Melatonin is also a common ingredient in dietary supplements for restful sleep. Try the Sleep Pro dietary supplement from Allnutrition today.

How does melatonin affect sleep?

Melatonin is used as a sleep aid, which has been confirmed in many scientific studies. They showed, among other things, that by taking melatonin 2 hours before bedtime, it will be easier for us to fall asleep, and the overall quality of sleep will significantly improve. It is also worth noting that the time to fall asleep is shortened and the time of sleep is extended.

It should also be remembered that when sleep disorders are the result of, for example, depression, anxiety, reflux or hormonal disorders, melatonin may turn out to be ineffective. Therefore, in any case, it is very important to find the cause of the sleep disturbance.

Read absolutely: Lack of sleep and its importance for health. What can sleep disturbances lead to?

However, the dose of melatonin should be selected individually. The duration of the treatment is always determined by the doctor and although drugs containing melatonin can be obtained without a prescription, a doctor should be consulted beforehand. Thanks to this, we will get to know, among others any contraindications to taking the drug.

Melatonin will help us not only in falling asleep. Most people are unaware that this hormone will also help improve the condition of our eyes as it is a rich source of antioxidants.. In addition, melatonin can help relieve symptoms of depression, and by blocking gastric acid secretion and the synthesis of nitric oxide, melatonin can even alleviate the effects of acid reflux.

Melatonin – dosage

Melatonin can be taken in doses ranging from 0,5 to 10 mg per day. To feel the difference between the time you fall asleep and the quality of your sleep take it about 30 minutes before going to bed. On the other hand, if we want to improve and regulate our circadian rhythm, take melatonin 2-3 hours before going to bed. However, it should be taken well in advance, and not when we cannot fall asleep.

The exact dose is determined by the doctor or pharmacist. It is a safe way to fight sleep disorders with minimal side effects.

You will find melatonin, among others in the composition of Sedarel Noc – a dietary supplement for restful sleep, which you can buy at a promotional price on Medonet Market.

Melatonin – indications

Main an indication for the use of melatonin there are disturbances in circadian rhythm and sleep disturbances. Melatonin is used as an auxiliary in disorders of the sleep-wake cycle, the so-called jet lag (rapid change of time zones while traveling from continent to continent), disturbances due to shift work. Melatonin is also recommended for people who struggle with primary insomnia, which means poor sleep quality.

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Melatonin – contraindications

Although melatonin is a safe drug, it is not recommended for everyone. It should not be used by people:

1. z hypersensitivity to melatonin;
2. with liver diseases;
3. alcohol abusers – do not drink alcohol while taking the drug;
4. with autoimmune diseases;
5. Melatonin is not recommended for use in children, pregnant and breastfeeding women.

1. headache and dizziness;
2. somnolence;
3. nausea.

It’s also worth remembering that melatonin can interact with various medications, such as antidepressants, drugs that regulate blood pressure, or blood thinners. If you are using them, please inform your doctor.

Check: Insomnia in pregnancy – how to deal with it?

Melatonin – deficiencies

Melatonin deficiency is a consequence of a disturbance in the natural circadian rhythm that leads to sleep disturbance. Often they even lead to a deterioration in overall health.

Half of the population suffers from sleep disorders. Unfortunately, they are also often accompanied by cardiovascular diseases, hormonal disorders and decreased immunity. All this makes people with sleep disorders much more likely to catch various infections.

The effects of melatonin on sleep include both falling asleep easier and regulating the internal clock, and even the diurnal sleep-wake cycle in blind people. Melatonin will also help to cope with the rapid change of time zones, which is inevitable in the case of intercontinental travel, i.e. jet-lag.

People with a badly out of tune biological clock, working at night in strong lighting, have low levels of melatonin. And yet it is a strong antioxidant, i.e. a substance that eliminates free radicals, chemical compounds that damage cells, accelerate the aging of the body and promote the formation of cancer.

Compound deficiency promotes brain disorders, including epileptic seizures, hallucinations and depression. However, it has been proven that in such cases, administration of melatonin alone does not give good results. Antidepressants are more effective as they improve sleep quality more quickly.

When it is dark outside, many people fall on the so-called winter depression caused by a lack of sunlight. The darkness of the day causes melatonin to arrive in the body at the wrong time, making it difficult to function normally.

Also read: How To Overcome Insomnia In Older People?

Adequate amount of sleep and its good quality are factors that allow the body to regenerate and function properly. However, sleep deprivation interferes with the proper secretion of various hormones, including the hormones responsible for hunger (ghrelin) and the feeling of fullness (leptin). The consequence of too low melatonin levels and problems with sleep may be an increased appetite for caloric and fatty products that promote weight gain.

Melatonin – excess

Melatonin in too much can be harmful. It is very strong and its action can be compared to that of steroids. Moreover, if there is too much melatonin in our brain, we will dream of strange things or have nightmares. This is what the German psychologist Darren Lipnicki claims. Some studies also indicate that an excess of melatonin can cause problems with remembering.

Too much melatonin can occur naturally in the body. Elevated levels of melatonin in the blood are characteristic of some diseases. This phenomenon can be observed, for example, in people suffering from cirrhosis of the liver. They experience a reduced breakdown of melatonin, which leads to an increase in its concentration. In contrast, in patients with kidney failure, less of the hormone is removed from the body, which can also lead to an excess of melatonin.

Melatonin – overdose

Melatonin, like any other drug, can be overdosed. This substance has antioxidant properties and is not toxic to humans, so cases of overdose are quite rare. For symptoms of melatonin overdose to appear, you need to take 8 tablets at a time, i.e. 36 mg. The most severe cases include psychosis, hepatitis, and optic neuritis. There is no antidote to an overdose of melatonin. When it occurs, gastric lavage is used.

Also read: Poisoning with antidepressants

Is Melatonin Safe For Children?

Melatonin for children is not recommended. However, it is allowed to be used in small doses even in children as young as 4 years old. The condition is a disturbed sleep pattern. Some studies recommend melatonin for children with autism and ADHD. The dose is always determined by the doctor. You should not give melatonin without consulting.

Read also:

1. Sleep supplements – natural sleep aid
2. What are the best habits before falling asleep?
3. Does a glass of warm milk really help you fall asleep?