Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland in the brain and controlled by the body’s biological clock. Melatonin is known as the sleep hormone because it induces natural sleep. In the morning, when we soak up the sun, the secretion of melatonin stops. It is secreted again 14-16 hours after we wake up, and the secreted volume increases gradually, making us feel sleepy.
Melatonin is a hormone of interest because of its many benefits, including improving insomnia and jet lag, as well as preventing disease and anti-aging through its antioxidant properties.
The secretion of melatonin is mainly regulated by the light entering the eye. At night, if we are exposed to strong light, the secretion of melatonin is suppressed, which disrupts our sleep-wake rhythm.
The secretion of melatonin decreases with age, such as waking up earlier in the morning, frequent waking up at night, and reduced sleep time, all because with age, the body’s ability to regulate the biological clock is weakened .
In the United States and Europe, melatonin is sold in pharmacies in tablet, liquid, and chewable form, primarily for jet lag, insomnia, and other sleep disorders.
It’s worth noting here that because melatonin is sold as a supplement, the seller is under no obligation to certify its safety or effectiveness. Still, there is good evidence that melatonin can help people sleep deeper and longer.
In addition, melatonin is relatively safer than other strong sleep-inducing drugs. Because it naturally exists in the body, as long as the dosage is well controlled, its effect on sleep is in line with the physiological laws of the human body, and it will not be addictive.
If taking melatonin to help improve sleep, it is best to take it 30 minutes before bedtime. And if the goal is to establish a regular sleep habit, it’s best to take it 2 to 3 hours before bedtime.
However, melatonin also has side effects, including nausea, headache, dizziness, and drowsiness. It also interferes with the action of antidepressants, anticoagulants, and blood pressure medications, so users of these drugs need to follow their doctor’s orders, and melatonin is also recommended to consult a doctor.
Data source according to scientific rumor platform