Melatonin is a hormone secreted by your pineal gland, a small pea-shaped gland within your brain. Melatonin acts as a regulator of other hormones and manages your biological clock. It can be taken as a supplement and has proven helpful in many cases; however, side effects and worsening of symptoms, including those related to depression, have been known to occur. Use caution and consult your doctor before using melatonin to treat depression.
Sleep Aids
A group of drugs that counteracts insomnia by activating melatonin receptors has been developed, according to a study published in the October 2010 issue of the journal "CNS Neuroscience and Therapeutics." These may work for treatment of depression based on the premise that modulating the sleep/wake cycle may be the key to alleviating depression in some people, say researchers. Several melatonin-based drugs now in use as sleep aids show promise for treatment of depression. So far, the melatonin compounds have shown good effectiveness with low side effects. The study was conducted by the Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, University of Urbino, Italy.
Benzodiazepines
Melatonin-promoting drugs may be superior to pharmaceuticals such as benzodiazepines at improving sleep and insomnia-related depression, according to a study published in the June 2011 issue of the journal "Progress in Neuropsychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry." Adverse effects of benzodiazepines, including memory and cognitive impairment, can be avoided with melatonin, which has been used successfully in adults and elderly people with insomnia and depression. Additionally, conventional antidepressants sometimes worsen insomnia, which can lead to worsening depression. One melatonin-based drug, called agomelatine, has been shown to decrease symptoms of depression and improve sleep quality.
Supplementation Schedule
Too much melatonin can cause drowsiness, irritability, dizziness or headaches, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Because melatonin is normally secreted at night, if you work late shifts or travel through multiple time zones when melatonin in your system is encouraging you to sleep, you are more susceptible to becoming tired, withdrawn and depressed. Likewise, too much melatonin or melatonin supplements taken at the wrong time can upset your circadian rhythms -- your body's day/night cycle -- and add to depression or mood disorder. Consult your doctor about the right amount of melatonin and a supplementation schedule for your needs.
Aging
Your melatonin levels naturally decline with age, so if you are 65 or older, taking melatonin supplements may overload your system and have the opposite of the desired effects. Discuss taking melatonin supplements with your doctor prior to using them to avoid adverse effects and so that your hormone levels can be monitored to ensure safe supplementation.
References
- "CNS Neuroscience and Therapeutics"; Melatonin Receptor Agonists: New Options for Insomnia and Depression Treatment; G. Spadoni, et al.; October 2010
- "Progress in Neuropsychopharmacoloby and Biological Psychiatry"; Melatonin Agonists in Primary Insomnia and Depression-associated Insomnia: Are They Superior to Sedative-hypnotics; V. Srinivasan, et al.; June 2011
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Melatonin
