Major depression is a leading cause of disability and even premature death. While antidepressant drugs are effective at treating this chronic condition, they can have limitations and side effects. A study reported by "The Lancet" in May 2011 highlights melatonin-based therapies for the treatment of depression. This natural hormone is secreted by the pineal gland in the brain and is commonly known as the sleep hormone because it helps maintain your body's circadian rhythm. Patients treated for depression with melatonin showed improved sleep patterns and decreased depression symptoms, comparable to antidepressant treatment. Your condition and symptoms are unique and it is important to consult your doctor for the best treatments for your depression.
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Melatonin determines your internal clock, which helps you fall asleep at night and wake up in the morning. During the darker hours, there is higher production of melatonin and less during daylight. However, being exposed to chronic bright artificial lights or too little light can disrupt this natural cycle. This can lead to a type of depression called seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, in the winter months. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, treatment with melatonin helps to synchronize the body's natural rhythm, improving resistant depression symptoms during the darker winter months and in individuals who work night shifts or do not get adequate daylight.
Plasma Melatonin Levels
Research published in the medical journal "Biological Psychiatry" examined the plasma or blood levels of melatonin in individuals with major depression. The results of this study showed that depression is linked to imbalances in hormone levels secreted by the pineal gland. This small gland is part of the neuroendocrine or hormone-secreting system of the brain, which helps control mood and behavior. Lowered melatonin levels in particular are considered a primary marker of depression.
Antidepressant Medication Interaction
It is important to consult your doctor or mental health specialist before self-treating your depression with melatonin supplements. Though the body produces this hormone naturally, supplements can interact with other medications. The University of Maryland Medical Center advises that melatonin supplements may reduce the effects of antidepressant drugs such as desipramine and fluoxetine.
Additional Benefits
The University of Maryland Medical Center lists several other natural benefits of the hormone melatonin. These include maintaining the timing and release of female reproductive hormones to control the menstruation cycle and menopause. Melatonin levels may also be linked to aging, as levels of this hormone decrease in older adults. Additionally, melatonin has powerful antioxidant effects, which help to boost the immune system.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Melatonin
- "Biological Psychiatry"; Plasma Melatonin, a Biochemical Marker in Major Depression; Bruno Claustrat, et al.; August 1984
- National Institute of Mental Health: Properly Timed Light, Melatonin Lift Winter Depression by Syncing Rhythms
- "The Lancet"; Novel Melatonin-Based Therapies: Potential Advances in the Treatment of Major Depression; I. Hickie, et al; May 2011
