Our body has its own internal clock, which controls the cycles of sleep and wakefulness. In particular, it is the body controls the amount of production of this hormone. Typically, melatonin levels in the body begins to gradually rise in the evening to late evening and remains high throughout the night, and with the onset of morning hours gradually the amount of the hormone decreases. Magicforum decided to try and better understand how melatonin affects our body.
The amount of melatonin is sufficient strongly influenced by natural light.
In periods of short winter days the body’s production may start earlier or later in the day than usual, which can lead to the development of the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder, also known as winter depression.
With age, the number of the body to produce melatonin drops: some of the elderly it is produced in too small quantities, and in some cases not produced at all.
Sleep hormone: obvious and non-obvious use
Irregular sleep is the cause of many health problems, and premature aging. The human body uses the hormone melatonin as an assistant in the process of falling asleep, so in the form of a dietary Supplement, it is a way to ensure a healthy regular sleep. This addition will be especially useful for those people whose work is connected with the replacement schedule or very exhausting.
Other benefits of melatonin include its neuroprotective effectsand potent antioxidant effect. In addition, a number of studies have shown that this neurohormone also has some anti-cancer effects, today conducted a number of studies of its role in the fight against breast cancer.
Vyrabatyvaet in the human body, melatonin helps to normalize and regulate cycles of sleep and wakefulness. It can be used effectively as a treatment for insomnia, problems falling asleep and sleep. In addition to insomnia, melatonin is also effective to regulate the disorders of biological rhythms, high blood pressure, low blood platelets, insomnia caused by withdrawal from drug addiction, and sleep disorders caused by various kinds of experiences.
Melatonin as a dietary Supplement: why and what is used
As a biological Supplement, melatonin used to treat various disorders of biorhythms and sleep. Scientists also proved the positive effect of the use of melatonin for the treatment of such disorders as:
- Seasonal affective disorder
- Regulate sleep for people who work the night shift
- Preventing and reducing trouble falling asleep before and after surgical procedures
- Reduction of chronic headaches
Safe I take melatonin as a Supplement?
In most cases, as a Supplement of this hormone in low doses is safe for short-term and long-term admission. However, before using recommended to consult a doctor.
So, intake of melatonin without consulting with a doctor contraindicated for children, pregnant and lactating women.
As with any dietary Supplement, melatonin can cause adverse reactions that will disappear without a trace after discontinuation of this hormone.
Possible side effects of supplements include the following:
- Drowsiness
- The decrease in body temperature
- Vivid strange dreams, horror
- Lethargy in the morning
- Small changes in blood pressure level
If in the process of taking melatonin drowsiness you do not leave, transport and management of any technical means is strictly prohibited.
Interaction of melatonin with various drugs
As mentioned above, before taking this neurohormone as a biological Supplement, you should consult your doctor, especially if you are taking other medicines. The thing is that interacting with certain substances comprising a drug, melatonin may not only reduce the efficiency of operation, but also lead to various side reactions.
Melatonin and antidepressants
As a Supplement, melatonin can reduce the effect of antidepressants on the basis of desipramine and fluoxetine (Prozac). In addition, fluoxetine, which is representative of the class of drugs selective inhibitors of serotonin reuptake, can cause reduce the amount of production of melatonin by the body.
Melatonin and antipsychotic drugs
Quite common side effects of antipsychotic drugs in the treatment of schizophrenia is the occurrence of the condition tardive dyskinesia, which manifests itself in the form of involuntary movements. In the study, which involved 22 patients with schizophrenia and straddie tardive dyskinesia, caused by taking antipsychotic substances, those patients who used melatonin in parallel, said fewer symptoms than those who did not take the Supplement.
Melatonin and drugs based on benzodiazepines
In one of medical studies have shown that the combination of melatonin and triazolam (lithium) has a beneficial effect on sleep improvement. In addition, the introduction to taking melatonin supplements can help people gradually withdraw from benzodiazepine-containing drugs that are addictive.
Melatonin and birth control drugs
Some contraceptives can cause an increase in production of melatonin. Taking melatonin as a Supplement may lead to increase in the body’s hormones in excess, leading to the emergence of a number of side effects.
Melatonin and steroids and immunosuppressive drugs
Taking melatonin supplements in conjunction with steroid and immunosuppressive drugs may reduce the effectiveness of the latter. In any case, you cannot use melatonin with corticosteroids and other drugs used to suppress the immune system.
What dose of melatonin should I take?
Depending on the reasons which caused the necessity of taking melatonin, its dose as an additive can range from 0. 2 mg to 20. 0 mg and is different for each person. That is why before you start taking the sleep hormone as Supplement, it is recommended to consult your doctor with the aim to choose an optimal dosage.
Previously, scientists have described as the sleep hormone affects the body.