The stressors of modern living commonly lead to feelings of anxiety. In moderation, anxiety is effectively dealt with if hormone and brain chemical levels are properly regulated and no deficiency of essential nutrients exist. If stressors are severe, or if imbalances and deficiencies are present, then counseling or medication is sometimes recommended. Melatonin may reduce symptoms of anxiety, although consulting with a medical professional if you are experiencing symptoms is always recommended.
Anxiety
Anxiety has many emotional and physical causes, but usually leads to similar symptoms, such as nervousness, increased heart rate and insomnia, or lack of sleep. Anxiety disorders often include panic attacks, which are extreme, uncontrollable episodes of anxiety leading to sweating, shaking, stomach upset and even heart attacks, in rare cases, as cited in "Professional Guide to Diseases." An imbalance of neurotransmitters, or brain chemicals, such as serotonin, dopamine and noradrenalin, commonly leads to bouts of anxiety or anxiety disorders. Chronic over-stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system, commonly known as the fight-or-flight response, can lead to anxiety. Although insomnia is a common symptom of anxiety, disrupted sleep cycles and lack of deep, delta-wave sleep can lead to heightened anxiety, depression, irritability and hormone imbalance, according to the "Textbook of Medical Physiology."
Common Natural Remedies for Anxiety
Some herbs can balance neurotransmitters and stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system to induce calmness and relaxation. According to "Medical Herbalism," herbs commonly used for symptoms of anxiety include valerian root, kava, passionflower, chamomile and St. John's wort. Melatonin is not considered a common natural remedy for anxiety; but as a hormone that regulates other hormones and promotes restful sleep, it can play a role in reducing the symptoms of anxiety.
Melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland, the pea-like structure in the center of the brain. Melatonin is released into the bloodstream during periods of darkness or episodes of reduced sunshine. Melatonin is considered a master hormone that dictates sleep and maintains our circadian rhythm, or body clock, according to "Human Biochemistry and Disease." Aging, nutritional factors, disease, jet-lag, head trauma, stress and anxiety can all disrupt melatonin production and release, leading to an inability to initiate the sleep cycle or achieve deep, stage-four sleep. Insomnia disrupts hormone and neurotransmitter balance, which can reduce a person's ability to cope with stressors.
Melatonin for Anxiety
Based on its ability to promote sleep and regulate other hormones, melatonin has been tried as a treatment for reducing anxiety and has been scientifically studied. A series of studies led by Saudi researchers reported a variety of relaxing benefits from taking melatonin. For example, a study published in a 2006 edition of the "European Journal of Anaesthesiology" found that melatonin induced enough relaxation so that much less medication was needed to induce hypnosis. Dosages of melatonin range between 1 and 5 mg daily and do not require a prescription in the United States. Melatonin, however, is not a cure for anxiety or depression, which are serious medical conditions requiring the attention of your doctor.
References
- "Professional Guide to Diseases, Ninth Edition"; Springhouse Publishing; 2009
- "Textbook of Medical Physiology, 10th Edition"; Arthur C. Guyton et al; 2000
- "Medical Herbalism: The Science Principles and Practices of Herbal Medicine"; David Hoffmann; 2003
- "Human Biochemistry and Disease"; Gerald Litwack; 2008
- "European Journal of Anaesthesiology"; Melatonin Premedication and the Induction Dose of Propofol; A. Turkistani, et al; November 2006
