Using Melatonin to fall asleep? You might be interested to know the subjectivity of it.
Melatonin is a natural hormone synthesized by the brain, which helps stabilize your sleep-wake cycle or circadian rhythm. A supplement might be effective in restoring one’s regular pattern of sleep, but it is not a panacea for sleeplessness. “The potential for benefit depends largely on dose, timing, and the type of insomnia it is being used to treat,” says Dr. Melanie Pogach, sleep medicine and pulmonary critical care specialist at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Boston.
Darkness and exposure to light trigger the production of melatonin while trying to fall asleep hampers the process. “Melatonin starts to increase progressively, peaks in the middle of the night, and begins to disappear gradually by morning or sunrise,” says Dr. Mara Cvejic, a sleep medicine specialist in Tampa, Florida.
Melatonin use is fast rising in the US, with a 42.6% increase in sales in 2020, reported by Nielsen. Sleep deprivation has seen an increase in pandemic-related stress, also adding to the struggles of the population. The timely consumption of a supplement in the right dosage is proven to help repair one’s sleep cycle, which may have been disrupted by working or partying till late, jet lags, or circadian rhythm disorders. “Say you are an extreme night owl who only begins to feel sleepy at 4 a.m. and likes to sleep until noon. You could take low-dose melatonin (0.5 milligrams) at 11 p.m., well before your natural melatonin kicks in. Not only will it help you feel sleepy earlier, but it will also start to pull your internal clock earlier too.” says Cathy Goldstein, MD, an assistant professor of neurology at the University of Michigan Sleep Medicine Clinic.
However, experts warn against continued usage for a long time. “A lot of people just take it right before they go to bed as if it were a sleeping pill. It’s not that simple.” says Michael Breus, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist who specializes in sleep disorders. He explains that Melatonin is a sleep regulator and not an initiator to clear the common misconception.
Melatonin available in the market is FDA approved, but it is considered as a dietary supplement, thereby not being held to the same stringent parameters for clearance as a prescription or over-the-counter drugs. It is not recommended to pregnant or breastfeeding women and people with autoimmune diseases, seizure disorders, and depression. In conclusion, individuals must be cautious before going ahead with supplementary melatonin consumption, as it may be detrimental subject to their overall health condition.
