The Hormone of DarknessWhat is it?A hormone secreted by the pineal gland at night.
What does it do?Melatonin is most commonly associated with sleep. It is often used as a sleep aid. It has been used to 'reset the internal clock for people with jet lag or odd work shifts. It also seems to regulate self-repair and regulation of cells and is sometimes recommended as an anti-aging supplement. With age the body's natural production of melatonin is reduced and therefore supplementation to raise the levels of melatonin to youthful levels is believed desirable. It acts as an anti-oxidant by scavenging hydroxyl and peroxyl free radicals. What is the dosage?Recent research has documented the effectiveness of melatonin as a sleep aid and has determined that the most effective dose is .3 milligrams. Typical dosage for melatonin when purchased as a supplement is 3 milligrams and the research suggests that the higher doses are less effective as a sleep aid. If melatonin does act as an anti-aging supplement then the higher doses may be justified. What are the side effects?No serious side effects are documented. It may cause possible slower reaction times or daytime drowsiness. High doses may cause hypothermia (low body temperature). Return to Supplements from Melatonin |