The sleep hormone melatonin is being traded as a new miracle drug in the USA, where it is contained in numerous dietary supplements: It is said to not only help with sleep disorders, but also to have a positive influence on the aging process of the cells as well as on cancer and cardiovascular diseases due to its antioxidant effect. In fact, however, the effect of melatonin has not yet been sufficiently researched – which is why it may only be used as a sleep aid in Germany. Also about possible side effects of melatonin is not yet sufficiently known.
Effect of melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone that controls the day-night rhythm of humans – the so-called circadian rhythm. It is produced in the pineal gland from serotonin. However, it is also produced in other places in the body, for example in the digestive tract. However, melatonin from the pineal gland is primarily responsible for controlling the day-night rhythm. In the pineal gland, the hormone is only released in the dark – that’s why we get tired in the evening. The level of melatonin in the blood rises slowly and reaches its peak in the middle of the night – around two to three o’clock. In the early morning hours, the level drops again, because light inhibits its production. Melatonin regulates not only the sleep-wake cycle, but also many biological functions related to it. These include kidney function and blood pressure, for example. The fact that the hormone can have effects not only on the sleep-wake rhythm, but also on other bodily processes, should definitely be taken into account before taking a melatonin preparation.
Disorders of the melatonin balance
Shift work or a time difference during long-distance travel can cause disruptions in melatonin balance. By an additional intake of melatonin, however, these disturbances are supposed to be able to be repaired: For example, the hormone is said to ensure that one can fall asleep more quickly in the evening in the case of jet lag-related sleep disturbances. However, this effect of melatonin is still controversial: While the hormone had a positive effect on falling asleep in some studies, it had no effect in others. Often, the effect only occurred after a few days of ingestion. Crossing as many time zones as possible and west-east flights are said to have a positive influence on the effect of melatonin. However, not only in the case of jet lag, but also in the case of shift work, the additional intake should help the body to get used to the normal daily routine again. The same applies to blind people whose sleep-wake rhythm has become disconnected from the day-night rhythm.
Melatonin and depression
Changes in melatonin balance are particularly common in winter, as levels of the hormone remain elevated during the day due to the lack of daylight. This can lead to sleep disturbances, fatigue and winter depression. To prevent such symptoms, one should use the little daylight for walks. Daylight inhibits the release of melatonin more strongly and the level in the blood drops. In case of severe symptoms, one should consider light therapy.
Melatonin as a sleep aid
The older we get, the less melatonin our bodies produce. This fact suggests that sleep disorders occurring in old age are related to the decrease in melatonin levels. For this reason, a sleeping pill containing melatonin has been approved in Germany for people over the age of 55. Each tablet contains a dose of two milligrams. The drug is suitable for short-term treatment of sleep disorders caused by poor sleep quality (primary sleep disorders). In contrast, sleep disorders caused by a disease or certain medications cannot be treated with melatonin. However, the therapy of primary sleep disorders is also controversial, because in about half of the patients the sleeping pill shows no effect. Tip: If you suffer from sleep disorders, you should definitely make sure to sleep in a heavily darkened room so that the pineal gland can release melatonin for as long as possible.
Nutritional supplements
In recent years, melatonin has made a name for itself as a miracle drug, especially in the USA, where it is included in numerous dietary supplements.Among other things, it is supposed to stop cell aging, burn fat, protect against hair loss and prevent or cure diseases such as AIDS, Alzheimer’s and cancer. In Germany, melatonin is classified as a drug and is therefore not included in dietary supplements. However, such dietary supplements can easily be ordered via the Internet. However, it is difficult for the buyer to determine the quality of the product offered and the risks involved in taking it. Therefore, the purchase of melatonin over the Internet is strongly discouraged.
Antioxidant effect
The fact that melatonin has an antioxidant effect in the body is now considered scientifically proven: The hormone intercepts free radicals that damage cells and destroys them. Since, unlike many other antioxidants, it is both fat-soluble and water-soluble, the hormone offers good all-round protection against free radicals. The antioxidant effect of the hormone suggests that the aging process of the cells is related to melatonin secretion, which declines with age. However, it is not yet clear whether this is actually the case and whether the lower melatonin concentration is a consequence or cause of aging. Likewise, a connection between the intake of melatonin and a slowing of the aging process has not been scientifically proven.
Effect of melatonin is controversial
Due to its antioxidant properties, the hormone is attributed not only a possible slowing of the aging process, but also a positive effect on the prevention and control of cancer and the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Whether melatonin can actually prevent such diseases has not yet been scientifically proven. The influence of melatonin on cancer has already been investigated in a number of studies – but with contradictory results. For example, while in some tests the hormone protected healthy cells from damage caused by chemotherapy, in another study the hormone also protected cancer cells from dying. According to experts, there is therefore currently no reason for cancer patients to take such preparations.
Side effects of melatonin
In the short term – i.e., taken over a maximum period of two to three months – melatonin has hardly any side effects. So far, symptoms such as drowsiness and lack of concentration have been observed, but chest pain, dizziness, stomach pain or headaches may also occur. The natural sleep-wake rhythm can also be disturbed by taking melatonin. In contrast to short-term administration, the risks and side effects of long-term use are currently completely unexplored. For safety reasons, melatonin should not be taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding or in cases of severe allergies. If the hormone is taken together with antiepileptic drugs, antidepressants (SSRIs), and antithrombotic drugs, interactions between the various drugs may possibly occur.
