Melatonin - Medicinal Uses, Interactions, Side Effects, Dosage


by Steve Mathew - Date: 2007-02-24 - Word Count: 134 Share This!

Melatonin
Melatonin, N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, is an endogenous indolamine hormone that is released by the pineal gland in significant quantities in a circadian pattern.
Uses and Benefits:
Melatonin is most often used for insomnia and jet lag. It is also used by night-shift workers and for blind entrainment (to regulate sleep patterns in those who are blind). It has been researched as an oral contraceptive, antioxidant, and anticancer agent.
Pharmacology:
Regulation of melatonin secretion corresponds to the habitual sleep-wake hours in humans. Thus, melatonin secretion increases during nightfall, 9 PM-4 AM, and levels gradually decline until daylight. Exogenous melatonin has been used to supplement endogenous melatonin production for a number of indications.
Clinical Trials:
. Insomnia-Several randomized, double-blind clinical trials have been conducted evaluating the role of oral melatonin in patients with insomnia. These studies all suggest melatonin im


Related Tags: side effects, melatonin, dosage, interactions, medicinal uses, clinical trials

Steve Mathew is a writer, who writes many great articles on herbal medicines for common ailments and diseases. For more information on herbal remedies and home remedies visit our site on health care.

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