What makes melatonin effective for specific sleep issues? Melatonin is a hormone that occurs naturally in the pineal gland, which is located in the brain. Your body produces melatonin in response to your circadian rhythm, which is an internal process that regulates your sleep-wake cycle. This entire process is influenced by the time of day and the presence of darkness.
Once melatonin is released, it travels through the brain, spinal cord, and bloodstream, sending signals that indicate it is nighttime and time to slow down for rest as night transitions into daylight. This process triggers the signal to cease melatonin production.
The levels of melatonin released in the body vary with age. They are higher during puberty and decrease as a person gets older. Additionally, melatonin levels tend to rise during the winter months when the days are shorter and the nights are longer. Exposure to dim light at night can also reduce melatonin production, leading to dilated pupils. Furthermore, decreases in melatonin production have been associated with various diseases and disorders, including type 2 diabetes, chronic pain, and migraines.
Melatonin not only aids in sleep but also assists the body in producing powerful antioxidant enzymes, thereby increasing levels of important antioxidants such as glutathione. Higher glutathione levels help reduce oxidative stress, which is caused by free radical damage. Some studies suggest that melatonin may act as an immune stimulant and anti-inflammatory agent, possibly due to the body's healing processes that occur during sleep.
Research supports the use of melatonin for early Alzheimer's, dementia, and Parkinson's disease. Several studies also indicate that melatonin supplementation may help reduce age-related macular degeneration, tinnitus, and certain stomach disorders, including ulcers and heartburn.
