Information on Melatonin

PATHS, S.A. · #1 (**permalink**) 04-07-2007, 12:27 AM

PATHS Sleep Module encourages the body to produce the optimum amount of melatonin. Unfortunately not everyones bodies will do so. In these instances, a Melatonin supplement can be beneficial. A good Melatonin supplement will have only melatonin in it, and possibly calcium or magnesium.

Melatonin is secreted by the pineal gland, a pea-size structure at the center of the brain, as our eyes register the fall of darkness." At night melatonin is produced to help our bodies regulate our sleep-wake cycles. The amount of melatonin produced by our body seems to lessen as we get older. Scientists believe this may be why young people have less problem sleeping than older people.

Are there any side-effects?

According to one report, "10 percent of the users said the hormone did nothing for them, and another 10 percent complained of side effects such as nightmares, headaches, morning groginess, mild depression, and low sex drive. In past studies, researchers have given people up to 600 to 3,000 times the usual doses - without causing any toxicity."

Should certain people avoid it?

Yes. "Those include women who are pregnant or nursing (since no one knows how excessive exposure to the hormone might affect a fetus or infant); people with severe allergies or autoimmune diseases (melatonin could exacerbate such conditions by stimulating the immune system); people with immune-system cancers such as lymphoma or leukemia (for the same reason), and healthy children (who already produce it in abundance). Women trying to conceive should also think twice about taking the hormone, since high doses can act as a contraceptive." As with any substance introduced into your body, if you have a medical condition you should always consult your physician first before taking melatonin.

Is melatonin safe?

Melatonin is one of the least toxic substances known. People have taken as much as 6 grams (600 to 3000 times the normal dosage) of the substance in carefully monitored studies with no sign of toxicity. Only four complaints regarding melatonin have been report to the FDA (USA's Food and Drug Administration). The only consistent side effect of high doses has been drowsiness and a slower reaction time. In the most extensive clinical trial to date a high dose of 75 milligrams of melatonin per day was given to 1400 women in the Netherlands for up to four years with no ill effects. The FDA reports that in the more than two years melatonin has been available for sale over-the-counter in the United States, no alarming side effects have been reported.

PATHS, S.A. · #2 (**permalink**) 07-28-2008, 10:55 PM

Bumpity Bump!

Pamela Vicik-Smith · #3 (**permalink**) 07-29-2008, 01:10 AM

Since discovering melatonin last year while I was becoming PATHS certified, it is my supplement of choice when I need extra help in falling asleep.

I purchased a bottle of 3mg tablets over a year ago and will take one or two tablets if sleep is alluding me. I probably only take them once every four to five weeks. However, it is nice to know I have something available that gets the job done, yet does not cause that "drugged" feeling the next morning. I also do not get "cotton mouth" with melatonin.

I have also felt comfortable in recommending it to someone who stays clear of traditional sleeping aids due to their addictive tendancies.

illusions · #4 (**permalink**) 07-29-2008, 08:50 AM

Anyone know why you can't buy Melatonin over the counter in the UK??
I don't have trouble sleeping now, but did before I started with Paths, and tried to get Melatonin - but was told it was presciption only in the UK.

Love and Light and Magic xxx

Pamela Vicik-Smith · #5 (**permalink**) 07-29-2008, 11:09 AM

Hmmm...I didn't know that Odille. Are other supplements precription there?

If in the future you will like some, I will be happy to mail them to you.

CitizenDC · #6 (**permalink**) 07-29-2008, 01:13 PM

>> anyone know why you can't buy Melatonin over the counter in the UK??

Quote:

The latest story to emerge in Saturday's "Finanical Times" is that the
Medicines Control Agency has issued a fiat to all retailers that they
must cease selling Melatonin within 14 days.

The agency admits that it has no evidence that Melatonin is unsafe, but
has simply declared it to be a medicine and that it requires the usual
run of expensive and time consuming tests before it can be offered to
the public for consumption. Most suppliers are expected to comply
as they can't risk entanglement with such dangerous people as the MCA.
No suppliers will submit the hormone to be tested as the high cost
cannot be recovered from sales as it is unpatentable.

The FT said that the MCA were concerned at suggestions that Melatonin
may be extending maximum lifespan. Consumption has increased
substantially following the publication of books and magazine articles.
I suggest it is possible that the UK government are concered as to the
pension and elderly care implications if maximum lifespan is extended
without any comparable extension of good health.

Best to search for facts that back the comments quoted above.

In the past I managed to disrupt my sleep cycle with plenty of physical training. Melatonin helped me balance that again.
I still ocassionally use it, especially when I'm up late to supply what my body cant that night. (light counters the production of melatonin)

See this article covering a recent study done on Melatonin and one possible negative effect.

02.07.2005 - Popular supplement melatonin found to have broader effects in brain than once thought

cheers

Aaron · #7 (**permalink**) 07-29-2008, 05:07 PM

Melatonin is anti-cancerous and anti-aging.

Women with disrupted sleep cycles or sleeping with lights on have a tendency to have higher incidents of breast cancer. With lights on or disrupted sleep, there isn't as much melatonin produced.