Can melatonin help cure insomnia? Image: Shutterstock |
I have a good friend who suffers from insomnia. She
sometimes goes days without getting more than a few hours of sleep—and not for
lack of trying. She often “rests” on days like that, which means she often
spends hours lying in bed, exhausted, trying to fall asleep. From time to time
I have bouts of sleep trouble as well, tossing and turning for several hours
before drifting off into an uncomfortable sleep, only to reawaken a few hours
later. As I continued to hear stories from my friend about her inability to
sleep, I kept asking myself about melatonin. Finally, I sat down to learn more.
Here’s what I discovered:
- Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone produced by the pineal gland in our brains, which is a pea-shaped gland just above the center of our brains. It is produced to help control our sleep cycles, with larger quantities of it being produced starting around 9 PM and lasting until about 9 AM—our natural sleep hours.
- Melatonin is found in some foods naturally, which is why it is the only hormone that the FDA allows to be sold as a dietary supplement.
- Light directly affects how much melatonin our brains produce, which is part of what leads to symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
- Melatonin is generally produced in higher amounts in children and adolescents, with that amount naturally dropping off as we age. Some older adults only make small amounts or none at all.
- Not enough research has been done on melatonin, but scientists are looking into using it as a treatment for SAD, to help control sleep patterns, preventing/reducing sleeping problems after surgery, and reducing chronic clutter headaches.
- It’s possible that melatonin may help slow or even stop the spread of cancer, slow aging, and strengthen the immune system.
- Melatonin seems to help some people struggling with sleep problems, but during formal research it was shown to be ineffective as a sleeping pill. There is evidence, however, that it can help reset our internal clock—though whether it is more effective than light remains to be seen.
- Some research suggests melatonin may help people fall asleep faster. It could also help those working night shifts adjust their schedules. It may also be an effective treatment for jet lag. For the treatment of insomnia, the study results have thus far been inconclusive.
Image from gnc.com |
In sum, melatonin may or may not be effective as a sleeping
aid. The good news is that there is absolutely no evidence to suggest that use
of it could be harmful, so it could be a good option to try if you’re wary of
prescription sleeping pills (as I am). Dosage can vary from 0.2 mg to 20 mg,
though, so if you’re considering giving it a go, you should discuss dosage with
your doctor first.
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