Melatonin against insomnia
The main therapeutic indication of melatonin is related to the treatment of sleep disorders in general and insomnia in particular. Acting as a powerful sedative and hypnotic, the integration of this very important hormone is particularly indicated for inducing sleep in those who suffer serious difficulties in falling asleep.
Step back to understand ...
Melatonin release is not constant during the course of the day; its production is significantly inhibited in the presence of light and promoted in the dark thanks to the retinal photoceptors that capture the light stimuli coming from the outside. The above results in the variation of plasma levels (concentration in the blood) of melatonin during the day, which are minimal in the morning and maximum in the evening.
Furthermore, a melatonin supplementation is particularly indicated for those who are struggling to sleep but, once asleep, they end their rest by waking up in the morning.
Did you know that ...
Often complaining of various sleep disorders, the elderly are large consumers of melatonin supplements. It is scientifically demonstrated that the effectiveness of this hormone decreases as age advances due to the progressive calcification of the epiphysis.
Jet-leg
Due to its extraordinary ability to regulate the sleep-wake rhythm, melatonin is also indicated to encourage sleep in shiftworkers and those who, for professional reasons, are forced to travel from one part of the world to another (hostesses, pilots of airplane etc.). In addition to sleep disorders, the so-called time zone syndrome (or jet-leg) is also characterized by loss of appetite, irritability and obvious digestive difficulties.
Other hypothesized indications
The uses of melatonin are not limited to the treatment of insomnia.
This "regulatory" hormone is indicated in many other areas:
- Prevention from PHOTOINVILLEUR (potential antioxidant role of melatonin)
- Adjuvant (hypothetical) in anticancer treatments and ionizing radiation derived from chemotherapy (part of Bella's multi-therapy). In fact, potential antitumor activities are ascribed to melatonin, without however finding an effective scientific confirmation. However, from what is reported in the journal Mutation Research, it is clear that melatonin can be used as a protective agent against ionizing radiations used to treat different types of malignant neoplasms.
- Adjuvant in the treatment of CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES
- Hypothetical (not fully demonstrated) adjuvant in the treatment of SEXUAL ALTERATIONS
- Hypothetical indication to modulate the side effects of ABUSE SUBSTANCES such as cocaine
- Possible indication in improving symptoms of LATE DISCINESIA (movement disorder characterized by the alternation of hyperkinetic and hypokinetic movements)
- Adjuvant in the treatment of ALZHEIMER DISEASE and memory loss: some experiments carried out on laboratory animals (mice) show that melatonin receptors seem to regulate learning and memory mechanisms
- Additional treatment against PIASTRINOPENIA: in this case, melatonin is indicated for chemo-induced thrombocytopenia
- Prophylaxis of EMICRANIA: from the reading of some clinical studies reported in the journal Current Pain And Headache Reports it can be seen that a supplementation of melatonin could be indicated in the prophylaxis of headache and cluster migraine
- According to what emerges from the prestigious International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatr, it seems that melatonin can also be found in the treatment of DELIRIO SENILE. Low dosages of melatonin taken for long periods seem to significantly reduce the symptoms of the disease.
- Preventive treatment against BILIARY CALCULATIONS. In the gallbladder, melatonin appears to exert several positive effects: it converts cholesterol into bile, prevents oxidative stress and encourages the motility of gallstones.
- Coadjuvant treatment against OBESITY ?: some studies performed on laboratory animals (reported in the journal Endocrinology ) show that melatonin supplementation for long periods somehow manages to reduce abdominal fat and body weight, particularly in mice that do not most young. The hope is to find the appropriate solution to achieve the same antiobesity effect in humans through a specific integration of melatonin for a few months.
- Some studies conducted on adult men and women show that melatonin can somehow produce significant improvements in the treatment of ACUFENE (buzzing in the ears).
- By favoring sleep and relaxation, melatonin is also indicated in the REST-FREE LEG SYNDROME. In the journal Sleep Journal a study was conducted on some subjects suffering from this disorder: in 7 out of 9 volunteers, the periodic administration of melatonin reported positive results in improving symptoms.
- Preventive treatment of Diabetes Mellitus TYPE II: some recent clinical evidences have shown an important role of melatonin (in particular, of its receptor MT1) in the regulation of glucose metabolism. Indeed, it appears that receptor activation can minimize the risk of diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity.
Dosage indications
The table shows the general indications on the dosage of melatonin as an adjuvant in the treatment of different disorders.- Note: All the dosage instructions given below are purely indicative and subject to medical approval. Melatonin supplementation should be considered a complement to medical therapy to facilitate overcoming the disorder; Melatonin cannot and must not replace drugs that may have been prescribed by the specialist for treating a given disease.
| Indication of melatonin | Recommended indicative dosage (consult your doctor for a more precise dosage) |
| Insomnia | Dosage variable from 0.3 mg to 5 mg to be taken orally, for every hour of sleep |
| Difficulty falling asleep | 5 mg of melatonin by mouth, to be taken 3-4 hours before bedtime, for 4 weeks |
| Difficulty maintaining sleep | It is recommended to take slow-release melatonin. Consult your doctor |
| Prevention of headache | 10 mg of melatonin by mouth, to be taken per hour of sleep |
| Migraine | 3 mg of active ingredient, to be taken before going to bed |
| Adjunct in the treatment of cancer (chemotherapy) | 10-50 mg of melatonin, to be taken by mouth once a day |
| Platelet suppression related to chemotherapy | 20 mg of melatonin taken by mouth, to be taken before bedtime |
| Benzodiazepine withdrawal in the elderly with insomnia | 2 mg of controlled-release melatonin to be taken by mouth for every hour of sleep. Continue with this dosage up to a maximum of 6 months |
| Jet-leg | 0.5-5 mg of melatonin by mouth, to be taken before bedtime. Administer the supplement for at least 4 consecutive days (to adapt the body to the new time zone) |
| Nicotine withdrawal | 0.3 mg of melatonin to be taken three and a half hours after the last cigarette |
| Winter depression | 0.125 mg of melatonin per os, to be taken twice a day |
| Tardive dyskinesia | 10 mg of controlled-release melatonin to be taken once a day, every day |
