Melatonin is a nutritional supplement that helps sleep and treats daily sleep disorders, in addition to its other benefits. Therefore, it has become increasingly popular recently as a safe alternative to traditional sleep medications. In this article, let's learn about my experience with melatonin, and what are the side effects of the drug.
What is melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland in the human brain. It helps control the body's sleep pattern, sleep-wake cycle, and is therefore called the sleep hormone.
As natural light disappears in the evening, melatonin levels begin to rise, preparing your body for sleep. These levels peak in the middle of the night and then gradually decline during the early morning hours until you are finally awakened and exposed to natural light. Melatonin production decreases as you age.
Melatonin is manufactured in laboratories, and today it has become one of the most common nutritional supplements. It is available in the form of chewable pills and capsules, or drinks for adults and children, which help treat short-term sleep disorders.[1][2]
The benefits of melatonin
The most common use of melatonin is to aid sleep, but there are many uses for melatonin medications, most notably the following:
Time difference related to jet lag.
Sleep phase disorder and late awakening.
Sleep problems in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism.
Anxiety before and after surgery.
Potential benefits of melatonin pills
Some medical studies indicate the importance of melatonin for the following conditions:
Protecting the heart by lowering blood pressure in people with insomnia.
It has preventive effects against cancer, and enhance the effect of cancer treatments.
Reducing stroke damage.
Reducing the harmful effects of obesity on the body by reducing inflammation.
Slowing mental decline in people with dementia.