Each night after sunset, a tiny conical structure in the brain releases the hormone melatonin. This hormone regulates circadian sleeping and wakefulness patterns, and modulates other hormones. A synthetic version of melatonin is sold over the counter in the United States as a dietary supplement. Although it is commonly used as a sleep aid, melatonin has other dietary and clinical uses as well.
Adult Insomnia
Melatonin is most commonly used to treat insomnia and sleep disturbance. Research described at Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality indicates that melatonin reduces the time it takes people with sleep disorder to fall asleep. It appears to be less effective at decreasing the time to fall asleep for people who don't have sleep disorders. The University of Maryland reports that melatonin may help people over the age of 55 with primary insomnia sleep better, fall asleep faster and have greater alertness in the morning.
Melatonin has been found to help sleep disturbance associated with menopause, according to the University of Maryland. A 2005 study by Drs. Bellipanni and Blasi Di Marzo published in "Annals of the New York Academy" further suggests that melatonin may ameliorate several other issues of women in early stages of menopause, including fertility, menstrual cyclicity, thyroid function and depression associated with menopause.
Insomnia in Children
Melatonin is used for treatment of chronic insomnia and sleep disorders in children who have developmental disabilities, psychiatric disorders, visual disturbance or neurological injury. Research, such as that published by the National Institute of Health, indicates that melatonin improves the time to fall asleep, sleep disruptions and sleep duration, as well as enhancing mood and behavior during the day.
Cancer
Melatonin may be an effective adjunct to traditional cancer treatments. A review of 10 studies described on Medical News Today found significant effects for large dosages of melatonin in the treatment of varied forms of solid tumor cancers. Melatonin enhanced the effectiveness of treatments for breast, lung, skin, renal and brain cancer. Dosages of 10 to 40 mg/day decreased the risk of death within a year by 34 percent. Melatonin may also reduce the risk of prostate and breast cancer, according to research discussed by the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Further Uses
Varied sources, including the Mayo Clinic and University of Maryland, describe promising uses for melatonin. Melatonin may alleviate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease and chronic fatigue syndrome. Although much more research is needed, according to the Mayo Clinic, initial studies suggest melatonin may improve a variety of medical and psychiatric issues, including sleep problems associated with benzodiazepine withdrawal, preoperative anxiety, glaucoma, dyspepsia, hypertension, tinnitus, work shift sleep disorder and age-related problems in thermoregulation.
Side Effects
Most studies generally do not find adverse effects for melatonin. Mayo Clinic reports that side effects can include dizziness, abdominal discomfort, sleepiness during the day, confusion, sleepwalking and nightmares.
Contraindications
Do not take melatonin if you have a seizure disorder, autoimmune disease or immune system cancer like lymphoma or leukemia. Melatonin may interact with certain medications, including immunosuppressants, diabetes medications, blood-thinning medications and birth control pills. Melatonin may interfere with the antihypertensive effect of nifedipine.
Caution
Consult your doctor before taking melatonin or other supplements.
References
- Annals of New York Academy: Effects of Melatonin in Perimenopausal and Menopausal Women: Our Personal Experience.
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: Melatonin for Treatment of Sleep Disorders
- Mayo Clinic: Melatonin
- Mayo Clinic: Melatonin side effects: What are the risks?
- Med Page Today: Melatonin Aids Sleep in Children with Autism and Fragile X
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