melatonin - Sleep Disorders Message Board

ruffrydergurl · 08-09-2002, 10:22 PM

I just saw melatonin in pill form at my job, the bottle says it helps create a healthy sleep pattern? How exactly does it do this? Would anyone recommend this for someone who, on most nights, can't sleep through the whole night w/o waking up for no reason? Thanks.

SueA · 08-10-2002, 07:01 AM

Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland. It is a hormone involved in the circadian clock. It is the hormone that tells your body it is time to sleep. It is released when night falls and usually peaks around 2am then eases off toward morning. Yes taking melatonin at a regular time each night should help your sleeping pattern. If you do a search on the net, you find some useful information about it. The important thing about it is to take it at the same time each night even if you plan to stay up past bed time. Also a combination of calcium and magnesium supplements taken at night may help your sleep. I was using the melatonin with my 5 year old son. He would wake consistanly at 2.30am ready to start his day. I managed to stretch him out until 4.30am. Now I just give the supplements (calcium and magnesium) and at the moment he is sleeping 9-10hours a night.

Flowerduet · 08-11-2002, 06:12 PM

I take melatonin and find it works great most nights, but sometimes, I find it just doesn't work at all. Not sure what makes one night different from another, but it is still my prefered sleep aid.

Boozer · 08-13-2002, 01:46 PM

If you take meletonin on a regular basis, will your body begin to depend on it every night? I generally have trouble sleeping, and wake up several times in the middle of the night. Has anyone heard of ZMA? It is a weight lifting supplement that is supposed to boost your Testosterone levels naturally and also promote a good nights sleep.(It has Magnesium in it). Thanks in advance.

SueA · 08-13-2002, 10:37 PM

I am unsure of long term effect of taking melatonin, however, it is a hormone that is naturally secreted by your pineal gland in the brain. I assume that if used for a while, it will help regulate the sleeping pattern and then possibly not needed after that. A combination of calcium and magnesium supplements of a night can also help with sleeping. Sue