Melatonin: The Insomnia Cure or Not?

Everyone is searching for a way to get their zzzz's.  Sleep is just as important as water.  Although, when you get thirsty you fill up a glass a water and drink it...done.  Sleep doesn't come that easy for all and yet if we don't get the amount we need--- we slowly start to deteriorate.

Melatonin is getting a lot of attention but it's important to know all the facts. Here's a great article with some important facts to read--- before you dive into the melatonin craze...

Should you take Melatonin for your sleep problems?

By Vishal P. Rao

You may have heard from various sources that Melatonin is a panacea for all kinds of sleep disorders. It seems that marketers are trying to position it as a wonder pill that you can take to get rid of all any of your sleep disorders that you may be having.

However, it is important to understand a few things about sleep disorders and melatonin to be able to assess whether you should take Melatonin for your sleep issues or not.

Sleep disorders can arise due to various conditions. While some sleep disorders have their roots in physical conditions like neurological disorders, hormonal changes, obesity, increased toxicity and gastro-esophageal disorders, others can arise from psychological conditions like stress, depression, bipolar disorders, fear or anxiety.

Sleep disorders can be classified into various types – transient insomnia, acute insomnia and chronic insomnia. It is also important to understand that the solution that should be used to address each of these types should be different.

Melatonin is a natural hormone that is secreted by the pineal gland. Melatonin, in the body, acts like a signaler for darkness and prepares the mind to sleep. It also initiates the lowering of the heart rate and the body temperature so that the body can attain maximum rest during sleep. In some studies, it has been noted that as you grow older, your body is likely to produce les melatonin, making sleep more difficult than before.

Given the manner in which melatonin works, it should be understood that melatonin can work only if you are suffering from mild or transient insomnia. This includes people who need to regulate sleep patterns due to excessive travel around the globe or those who work during night hours. In such cases melatonin helps in triggering off sleep responses and signals the brain that darkness is falling and that it is time to sleep. You should take melatonin about half an hour before you plan to sleep so that it allows enough time to carry the signal from the system to the brain.

It is also suggested that if you are ingesting melatonin in the hope to overcome your sleep issues, you should take it only in the night. If melatonin is taken in the daytime, the body tends to get conflicting signals from the effects of melatonin and the fact that it is still daylight.

It is extremely important to take the right amount of melatonin at the right time. When the first melatonin pills came out in the market, very little was known about how it works. The amount of melatonin in the pills was (and remains for some brands) fairly high. However, as time has passed and better research has been conducted, the amount of melatonin in the pills has reduced to a level that is more suited and closer to the natural melatonin levels of the body.

Even though FDA has reported very few side effects of melatonin, melatonin can cause side effects if not taken in the right manner. Even though it is touted that melatonin does not give you a hangover like some of the other sleep aid pills, they can cause depression, irritation and disorientation if taken in the daytime. High doses of the hormone can also cause extreme drowsiness and disorientation.

However, the largest issue with using melatonin comes from the fact that melatonin can keep you from discovering the real cause behind you sleep disorders. It helps you in sleeping and therefore causes you to ignore the probable reasons for the sleep issues that you are facing. If you are inclines to take melatonin over a long period of time, you should probably seek the help of a trained professional who can help you in understanding your sleep concerns.

In any case there are sources that indicate that use of melatonin may not be safe after all. It is considered safe to use the hormone when you need to readjust your circadian or daily schedule after a long trip across the globe or otherwise. However, if you have sleep disorders without any disruption in your daily pattern, you should try some of the natural remedies for insomnia before you resort to any kind of medication.

It is important to understand that a rested body can work better during the day time. If you resort to taking sleeping aids like melatonin, you may never be able to find the real cause of your sleep disorders. Trying to follow some simple and effective bed time rules and/or herbal remedies can go a long way in avoiding sleep issues.

To learn more about this author go to http://www.relishinglife.com/

Comments

[James]

While melatonin is very helpful to some there is another herb Valerian, that the Diet Supplement Information Bureau more strongly recommends. Has anyone else tried this? Check out the link:
http://www.dsib.org/insomnia
and
http://www.dsib.org/melatonin