How It Works

Melatonin is secreted by the pineal gland in the brain that helps regulate other hormones and maintains the body's circadian rhythm, as mentioned above. The circadian rhythm is an internal 24-hour time-keeping system that plays a critical role in determining when we fall asleep and when we wake up. Darkness stimulates the production of melatonin while light suppresses its activity. Exposure to excessive light in the evening or too little light during the day can disrupt the body’s normal melatonin cycles. For example, jet lag, shift work, and poor vision can disrupt melatonin cycles. In addition, some experts claim that exposure to low-frequency electromagnetic fields (common in household appliances) may disrupt normal cycles and production of melatonin.

Melatonin also helps control the timing and release of female reproductive hormones. It helps determine when menstruation begins, the frequency and duration of menstrual cycles, and when menstruation ends (menopause).

Many researchers also believe that melatonin levels are related to the aging process. For example, young children have the highest levels of nighttime melatonin. Researchers believe these levels diminish as we age. In fact, the decline in melatonin may explain why many older adults have disrupted sleep patterns and tend to go to bed and wake up earlier than when they were younger. However, emerging research calls this theory into question.

In addition to its hormonal and sleep actions, melatonin has been shown to have strong antioxidant effects. Preliminary evidence suggests that it may also help strengthen the immune system.

Melatonin and Fibromyalgia

Preliminary evidence indicates that melatonin, a molecule that is endogenously produced, may be effective in treating the pain associated with fibromyalgia. Although melatonin is commonly known as a sleep aid (sleep/wake problems are common in fibromyalgia sufferers), it has a variety of other beneficial effects that may account for its potential benefits in the treatment of fibromyalgia.

Note: Melatonin should not be used for long term supplementation.  Those who suffer from depression and are taking certain prescription medication are advised against taking melatonin.

Other Uses

Insomnia
Although results are still controversial, studies suggest that melatonin supplements help induce sleep in people with disrupted circadian rhythms (such as those suffering from jet lag or poor vision or those who work the night shift), and those with low melatonin levels (such as some elderly and individuals with schizophrenia). In fact, a recent review of scientific studies found that melatonin supplements helped prevent jet lag, particularly in people who cross five or more time zones.

A few studies suggest that when taken for short periods of time (days to weeks) melatonin is significantly more effective than a placebo, or “dummy pill,” in decreasing the amount of time required to fall asleep, increasing the number of sleeping hours, and boosting daytime alertness.

In addition, at least one study suggests that melatonin may improve the quality of life in people who suffer from insomnia and some experts suggest that melatonin may be helpful for children with learning disabilities who suffer from insomnia.

Although research suggests that melatonin may be modestly effective for treating certain types of insomnia, few studies have investigated whether melatonin supplements are safe and effective for long term use.

Osteoporosis
Melatonin has been shown to stimulate cells called osteoblasts that promote bone growth. Since melatonin levels may be lower in some older individuals such as postmenopausal women, current studies are investigating whether decreased melatonin levels contribute to the development of osteoporosis, and whether treatment with melatonin can help prevent this condition.

Menopause
Melatonin supplements may benefit menopausal women by promoting and sustaining sleep. Peri- or postmenopausal women who use melatonin supplements to regulate sleep patterns should do so only for a short period of time since long term effects are not known.

Depression
A recent study of postmenopausal women found that melatonin alleviated both depression and anxiety. Other studies show that people who suffer from major depression or panic disorder have low levels of melatonin. Healthy individuals with mild episodic depression and patients who have Seasonal Affective Disorder, (SAD -- a mild depression that correlates with fall and winter -- periods of light-phase shortening) also have lower than normal melatonin levels.

Experimental studies show that melatonin causes a surge in the chemical serotonin, which helps alleviate symptoms of depressive illness, including major and mild depression and SAD. Melatonin should be used with caution in people with depression and should be appropriately timed with light therapy and sleep-phase changes. Disruption of normal circadian rhythm by poorly timed melatonin administration may worsen depression.

Eating Disorders
Melatonin levels may play a role in the symptoms of anorexia. For example, abnormally low melatonin levels may cause depressed mood in people with this condition. However, researchers do not know whether supplementation will change the course of the disease. Some researchers speculate that low melatonin levels in people with anorexia may indicate who is likely to benefit from antidepressant medications (a treatment often used for eating disorders).

Rheumatoid Arthritis
Melatonin levels are lower in patients with rheumatoid arthritis than in healthy individuals without arthritis. However, when arthritis patients were treated with the anti-inflammatory medication indomethacin, melatonin levels returned to normal. The chemical structure of melatonin resembles indomethacin, so researchers suspect that melatonin supplements may work similarly to this medication for people with rheumatoid arthritis. However, this theory has not been tested.

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Although melatonin supplementation does not appear to improve the key behavioral symptoms of ADHD, it may be effective in managing sleep disturbances in children with this condition.

Epilepsy
Preliminary research suggests that melatonin reduces the number of seizures in certain animals and may reduce seizures in people with epilepsy. However, not all experts agree with these findings. In fact, some researchers are concerned that melatonin (1 to 5 mg per day) may actually induce seizures, particularly in children with neurologic disorders. Since this research is in the early stages, some experts suggest that doctors should administer melatonin only to a select group of people who suffer from seizures that cannot be controlled by any other type of therapy.

Sunburn
A few small studies suggest that gels, lotions, or ointments containing melatonin may protect against redness (erythema) and other skin damage when used alone or in combination with topical vitamin E prior to exposure to UV radiation from the sun.

Viral Encephalitis
Although melatonin has not been scientifically evaluated for use in treating human encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), some studies suggest that this supplement may protect animals from serious complications associated with the condition and even increase their survival rates. In one study of mice infected with Venezuelan equine virus (a type of organism that causes viral encephalitis), melatonin supplements significantly lowered the presence of virus in the blood and reduced death rates by more than 80%. More studies are needed to determine whether similar treatment may offer the same protection to people with viral encephalitis.

Heart Disease
Low blood levels of melatonin are associated with heart disease, but it is not clear whether melatonin levels are low in response to having heart disease or if low levels of melatonin cause people to develop this condition. In addition, several animal studies suggest that melatonin may protect the heart from the damaging effects of ischemia (decreased blood flow and oxygen that often leads to a heart attack). However, researchers are unclear whether melatonin supplements may help prevent or treat heart disease in people. More studies are needed before scientists can draw any conclusions.

Possible Interactions

If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use melatonin without first discussing it with your doctor.

Antidepressant Medications
In an animal study, melatonin supplements reduced the antidepressant effects of desipramine and fluoxetine. More research is needed to determine whether these effects would occur in people. In addition, fluoxetine (a member of a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs) has led to measurable depletion of melatonin in people.

Antipsychotic Medications
A common side effect of antipsychotic medications used to treat schizophrenia is a condition called tardive dyskinesia, a movement disorder of the mouth characterized by a constant chewing motion and darting action of the tongue. In a study of 22 people with schizophrenia and tardive dyskinesia caused by antipsychotic medications, those who took melatonin supplements had significantly reduced mouth movements compared to those who did not take the supplements.

Benzodiazepines
The combination of melatonin and triazolam (a benzodiazepine medication used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders) improved sleep quality in one study. In addition, there have been a few reports suggesting that melatonin supplements may help individuals stop using long-term benzodiazepine therapy. (Benzodiazepines are highly addictive.)

Blood Pressure Medications
Melatonin may reduce the effectiveness of blood pressure medications like methoxamine and clonidine. In addition, medications in a class called calcium channel blockers (such as nifedipine, verapamil, diltiazem, amlodipine, nimodipine, felodipine, nisoldipine, and bepridil) may decrease melatonin levels.

Use of Beta-Blockers (another class of high blood pressure medications including propranolol, acebutolol, atenolol, labetolol, metoprolol, pindolol, nadolol, sotalol, and timolol) may reduce melatonin production in the body.

Blood-Thinning Medications, Anticoagulants
Melatonin may increase the risk of bleeding from anticoagulant medications such as warfarin.

Interleukin-2
In one study of 80 cancer patients, use of melatonin in conjunction with interleukin-2 led to more tumor regression and better survival rates than treatment with interleukin-2 alone.

Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
NSAIDs such as ibuprofen may reduce the levels of melatonin in the blood.

Steroids and Immunosuppressant Medications
People should not take melatonin with corticosteroids or other medications used to suppress the immune system because the supplement may cause them to be ineffective.

Tamoxifen
Preliminary research suggests that the combination of tamoxifen (a chemotherapy drug) and melatonin may benefit certain patients with breast and other cancers. More research is needed to confirm these results.

Supplement Facts

Capsules per Container: 200 Peppermint Sublingual tablets, 1 mg
Serving Size:  One (1) Tablet
Servings per Container:  200
Suggested Use: 1 to 3 tablets at bedtime. Do not take more than 5 tablets daily unless recommended by your physician. Place tablet under the tongue and allow to dissolve slowly, altering the position of the tablet to avoid prolonged contact with the same area.

Other Ingredients: sorbitol, mannitol, natural peppermint flavor, stearic acid & magnesium stearate.

Warning: USE ONLY AT BEDTIME. For adult use only. Not for use by children, teenagers, or women who are pregnant, may become pregnant, or breastfeeding. If you are under medical supervision, or have an autoimmune disease, diabetes, a depressive disorder, a thyroid condition, epilepsy, leukemia, or a lymphoproliferative disorder, or are taking MAO inhibitor drugs or corticosteroids such as hydrocortisone or prednisone, consult with your physician before taking this product.

STORE IN A COOL, DRY PLACE. Do not use if either tamper-evident seal is broken or missing. Keep out of the reach of children.

Manufactured by Source Naturals

Melatonin Supports Normal Sleep Patterns by Source Naturals 200 Peppermint Sublingual tablets, 1 mg $9.95 - Discount Price (Retail Price $15.25 - Save 35%) Quantity 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Add to cart

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http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/melatonin-000315.htm

Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2007 Oct;11(5):339-42.  PMID: 17894923 [PubMed - in process]