Can Melatonin Help me Sleep Better?
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by: Darrell Miller
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Word Count: 537
Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2011 Time: 5:28 PM
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Melatonin is a substance naturally occurring in living organisms, including microbes, and present everywhere inside the human body. It is a well known fact that this chemical compound influences all physiological functions in the body to respond in synchronicity with an outside rhythm, which in general translates to being active throughout the day and in decline at night. The secretion of melatonin at adequate levels induces sleep.
Sleep is necessary to human life, and getting healthy amount of sleep everyday is key to living a healthy, long life. While we know the benefits of getting enough sleep, we just can't escape a number of day-to-day routine, such as meeting deadlines among others. And when we do get the time to sleep, there are also sleep-depriving factors that we essentially have no control of, giving rise to conditions we refer to as sleep disorders.
Common Causes of Sleep Disorders
What causes insomnia and other sleep disorder by the way? A class of psychoactive drugs called stimulants is the foremost cause of inability to sleep at night. Populations who are known to consume high levels of caffeine and nicotine in a day have reported prevalence of sleep disorders. So watch your intake of caffeine, which is present in your coffee, tea, and energy drinks. If you smoke, then you should know that cigarettes and other tobacco products contribute to sleep disturbances.
Medications are also known to have an effect on sleep. What we refer to as illegal drugs in general such as cocaine and ecstasy alter your system's response to the outside world, including your circadian rhythm. Certain antibiotics have reported toxicity to the central nervous system, resulting in tremors, anxiety, insomnia, and even psychosis, all of which are known to influence sleeping patterns.
Mechanism of Action of Melatonin
Melatonin is one of the hormones that are made available as over-the-counter supplements in the US, albeit requires a prescription in most countries. It is manufactured by the pineal gland in the brain and release at varying concentrations throughout the day, playing a role in the functional activities of all tissues and cells in the human body in an estimate of 24 hours.
This chemical compound is secreted into the blood and consequently brings about the effects of drowsiness, including a lowered body temperature. Dubbed the hormone of darkness, melatonin is a hormone influenced by light, or to be more specific, the lack thereof. Its production in the pineal gland is very reactive to light. When the lights are out, melatonin kicks in, and, not surprisingly, you may get awaken by the turning on of the lights.
Supplementation of melatonin ensures you get the right amounts of this compound just when you need it. A recent study pointed to the efficacy of inducing sleep in patients afflicted with insomnia. Intake of melatonin has also helped people who experience irregular sleep patterns brought on by jet lag. That being said, administrations of recommended dosages are a must as higher doses can cause mental confusion.
Melatonin is available over the counter in milligram dosages of 1, 2, 3, and 5 milligrams at your local or internet vitamin store. always choose name brands like Source Naturals to ensure quality and purity of what you buy for better health.
About the Author
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