Melatonin is the hormone responsible for regulating our circadian rhythm, or sleep-wake cycle. Its production is affected by the availability of light. More melatonin is produced at night when it is dark and its production is reduced during the daylight hours. The use of melatonin for the treatment of depression has actually made symptoms worse in some cases, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Consult your doctor before taking melatonin supplements.
Insomnia
Sleeping is commonly disturbed during periods of depression and may result in insomnia. Insomnia is defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision, as difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep and/or having poor quality of sleep for at least one month. There is some evidence that melatonin supplements can help you fall asleep faster, get a better night's sleep and make you feel more alert the next day, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seasonal affective disorder is a depressive disorder that occurs in the winter months during daylight savings time. The onset of this condition is triggered by the reduction in sunlight and daytime hours and it is commonly treated via light therapy. However, a low dose of melatonin can be an effective anti-depressant for people with SAD, according to a 2006 study published on the website for the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. In this study, Alfred J. Lewy et al. found that melatonin supplements aided the synchronization of circadian rhythms when taken in the afternoon without causing daytime sleepiness.
Agomelatine
Unlike most anti-depressant medications that just block the re-uptake of the neurotransmitter serotonin, known as selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, agomelatine is an anti-depressant that targets melatonin receptors as well. In clinical studies, agomelatine has been found to be an effective treatment for the acute treatment of major depression. According to a review of clinical trials, published in the June 2010 issue of "Core Evidence," agomelatine is safer and more tolerable than SSRIs and has no withdrawal symptoms from its abrupt cessation.
Side Effects
Side effects of melatonin supplements may affect your ability to function at an optimal level during the day and sleep well at night. Melatonin supplements can cause adverse physical conditions such as headaches and abdominal pain. They may also cause daytime sleepiness and confusion, making it hazardous to operate a vehicle. Bedtime symptoms include nightmares and sleep walking. The use of melatonin beyond two months can also be potentially harmful, according to Mayo Clinic internist Dr. Brent A. Bauer.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Melatonin
- PNAS: The circadian basis of winter depression
- Mayo Clinic: Melatonin side effects: What are the risks?
- PubMed.gov: Agomelatine: The evidence for its place in the treatment of depression
- "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders"; American Psychiatric Association; 2000
