Melatonin?
bw
darkness, whether extended, artificial, etc...
Melatonin causes most people to be sleepy & not function. I wonder,
though, is melatonin still produced in "night-owls"? Maybe night people
thrive on melatonin. Who knows...
Hey, I wonder if Rob knows.
--
bw
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
Lynda
Hi Bruce,
> Know how the body produces melatonin at night? Or other periods of
> darkness, whether extended, artificial, etc...
>
> Melatonin causes most people to be sleepy & not function. I wonder,
> though, is melatonin still produced in "night-owls"? Maybe night people
> thrive on melatonin. Who knows...
Taken from the Natural Medicines Database:
http://www.naturaldatabase.com/tres/monograph.view?XP_RECORD=932666411&X
P_TYPE=chart
Melatonin
Also Known As MEL.
Scientific
Names N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine.
People Use This For:
Orally, people use melatonin for treating sleep disorders, sleep
disorders in handicapped children and adults, jet lag (9,14), shift-work
disorder (14), circadian rhythm sleep disorders in blind children and
adults with minimal or no light perception (orphan drug designation)
(6,14), and benzodiazepine withdrawal in people with insomnia
(349,1751). People also use melatonin orally for treating and preventing
Alzheimer's disease (1728), treating tinnitus (14), depressive disorders
(9,14), migraine and cluster headache (14), hypertension (1724),
hyperpigmentation (14), for preventing osteoporosis (1687), cancer of
the breast, brain, lung and prostate (1687), treating thrombocytopenia,
or preventing chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia (14), and for
treating cachexia in people with cancer (14). Melatonin is also used
orally as an anti-aging agent (507,1687), for primary and adjunctive
cancer treatment (9,14), as an immune system enhancer (1048),
antioxidant (1687), adjunctive treatment for epilepsy and non-epileptic
myoclonus in children (1699), preanesthetic medication (1770), and
contraceptive agent (6,14).
Transbuccal and sublingual forms of melatonin have been used for
treating insomnia (1735) and shift-work disorder (1721).
Topically, melatonin is used as a skin protectant against erythema
induced by ultraviolet light (sunburn) (1051).
Intramuscularly, melatonin has been used as an adjunct for cancer
treatment (1688).
Intravenously, melatonin has been used for treating persistent migraine
headaches (1689) and for treating subnormal melatonin secretion (1690).
Safety
POSSIBLY SAFE :when used orally and appropriately short-term (6,14,507).
POSSIBLY UNSAFE :when used by individuals who are driving or operating
hazardous machinery because it can cause daytime drowsiness (1050).
There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of
melatonin for its other uses..
CHILDREN: POSSIBLY UNSAFE ...melatonin levels decline during puberty and
are inversely related to gonadal development; the effect(s) and safety
of exogenous melatonin in children without melatonin deficiency are
unknown (1739,1742,1743).
PREGNANCY AND LACTATION: Insufficient reliable information available;
avoid using (1737).
Effectiveness
LIKELY EFFECTIVE ...when melatonin is used orally for sleep disorders in
disabled children and adults (9,14,1056,1745,1746,1747,1771). ...when
used orally for treating sleep disorders in adults and elderly people
(9,14,349,1053,1068,1070,1072,1081,1083,1729,1738)
(1750,1754,1755,1761,1762,1763). ...when used orally for circadian
rhythm sleep disorders in blind children and adults with minimal or no
light perception (orphan drug designation) (6,14,1082,1691,1744,1749).
...when used orally for jet lag (9,14,1049,1077,1079,1085,1720,1722).
POSSIBLY EFFECTIVE ...when melatonin is used orally for treating
thrombocytopenia or preventing chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia
(14,1694,1695,1696,1697). ...when used orally as primary or adjunctive
cancer treatment (9,14,1080,1688,1692,1693,1723,1734). ...when
controlled-release melatonin (Circadin, see Comments) is used orally for
benzodiazepine withdrawal in elderly people with insomnia (349,1751).
...when melatonin and aloe vera are used together orally for increasing
disease-free survival in patients with metastatic melanoma (1064).
...when melatonin is used topically as a skin protectant
(1051,1066,1768,1769).
POSSIBLY INEFFECTIVE ...when melatonin is used orally for shift-work
disorder (14,507,1052,1054,1721).
LIKELY INEFFECTIVE ...when melatonin is used orally for depression,
although melatonin might help insomnia associated with depression
(9,14,1764,1765,1766).
There is insufficient reliable information available about the
effectiveness of melatonin for its other uses.
Mechanism of Action
Melatonin is synthesized via the conversion of tryptophan to serotonin
in the pineal gland (1773). Light inhibits melatonin secretion and
darkness stimulates secretion. (1773). Melatonin release peaks between
the ages of one to three years of age (507). Contrary to earlier
reports, melatonin secretion does not decline with age after
adolescence, and melatonin suppression by light is not affected by age
(1775,1781). Low-dose exogenous melatonin has rapid, transient, mild,
sleep inducing effects. It lowers alertness, body temperature, and
performance for three to four hours after oral administration without a
"hangover" effect (14,1068,1753,1756,1757,1758,1759,1760,1774).
Melatonin can regulate the body's circadian rhythm and sleep patterns by
interacting with melatonin receptors in the brain (1773). Therapeutic
serum levels of melatonin have not been established (14). A
controlled-release melatonin product (Circadin, see Comments)
demonstrates effectiveness for benzodiazepine withdrawal in elderly
people with insomnia (349). Melatonin can also act as an antioxidant,
protecting cells from oxidative damage from free-radicals (6).
Preliminary evidence suggests that melatonin affects immune function,
activates monocytes, has oncostatic actions on estrogen sensitive MCF-7
human breast cancer cells, and promotes osteoblast differentiation and
matrix mineralization (6,3265). Melatonin is involved in the inhibition
of gonadal development and in seasonal breeding patterns (9). Melatonin
and norethisterone can have additive or synergistic inhibiting effects
on the ovarian function in women (769). Some evidence suggests melatonin
might enhance the effects of isoniazid (INH) against some Mycobacterium
species (330). Preliminary evidence suggests melatonin might be involved
in human balance, growth hormone secretion, and pain control
(1776,1777,1778). Melatonin undergoes extensive first pass metabolism
and is rapidly metabolized, primarily by conjugation and hydroxylation
(14,1773). Exogenous melatonin has a half-life of 30 to 50 minutes in
humans (14,1772). Oral bioavailability of melatonin preparations are
variable (1773). The timing of melatonin administration appears to be
important; optimal timing for shift work or jet lag has not been
established (1772). Transdermal administration of melatonin can result
in delayed drug levels (1058).
Adverse Reactions
The oral use of melatonin can cause headache, transient depressive
symptoms, daytime fatigue and drowsiness, dizziness, abdominal cramps
and irritability (14,169), and reduced alertness (14,1078). People
should not drive or use machinery for 4 to 5 hours after taking
melatonin (1772). Melatonin has exacerbated dysphoria in depressed
patients (1764). Whether chronic administration of melatonin suppresses
endogenous production of melatonin by the pineal gland is unknown
(1772).
Interactions with Herbs & Supplements
SEDATING HERBS/SUPPLEMENTS: Theoretically, melatonin can cause additive
sedation when used concomitantly with 5-HTP, kava, or valerian.
Interactions with Drugs
BENZODIAZEPINES: A controlled-release melatonin product (Circadin, see
Comments) demonstrates effectiveness for benzodiazepine withdrawal in
elderly people with insomnia (349). Caution, this use requires medical
supervision.
BETA BLOCKERS: Melatonin can reverse the negative effects of propranolol
(Inderal) and atenolol (Tenormin), but not carvedilol (Coreg), on
nocturnal sleep (1062,1780).
CNS DEPRESSANTS: Theoretically, concomitant use of melatonin with
alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other sedative drugs might cause additive
sedation.
FLUOXETINE (Prozac): Concomitant use with melatonin is reported to
improve the sleep of some patients with major depressive disorder taking
fluoxetine (1053).
IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE DRUGS: Melatonin can affect immune function and might
interfere with immunosuppressive therapy (507); avoid using melatonin
with immunosuppressive drugs.
ISONIAZID (INH): Theoretically, melatonin might enhance the effects of
isoniazid against some Mycobacterium species (330).
VERAPAMIL (Calan, Isoptin): Concomitant use can increase melatonin
excretion (1063).
Interactions with Foods
No interactions are known to occur, and there is no known reason to
expect a clinically significant interaction with melatonin.
Interactions with Lab Tests
HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE: Melatonin supplementation can increase human
growth hormone serum levels and test results (1076,1779).
LUTEINIZING HORMONE: Melatonin supplementation can decrease serum
luteinizing hormone levels and test results (1741).
OXYTOCIN: Melatonin can produce dose-dependent changes in plasma
oxytocin concentrations and test results. A 0.5 mg melatonin dose
increases oxytocin levels, a 5.0 mg melatonin dose reduces oxytocin
levels (1779).
VASOPRESSIN: Melatonin can produce dose-dependent changes in plasma
vasopressin concentrations and test results. A 0.5 mg melatonin dose
increases vasopressin levels, a 5 mg melatonin dose reduces vasopressin
levels (1779).
Interactions with Diseases or Conditions
DEPRESSION: Melatonin can cause dysphoria in some people with depression
(1764).
CANCER: Melatonin can decrease the incidence of cytokine (interleukin II
and tumor necrosis factor) induced hypotension in cancer patients
(1069).
Dosage and Administration
ORAL: The optimal oral dose of melatonin has not been established
(1772,1774). For sleep disturbance, the typical dose is 0.3-5 mg at
bedtime (507). For jet lag, 5 mg is taken at bedtime for one week
beginning three days before the flight (9). As adjunctive treatment for
cancer, 20-50 mg in combination with radiotherapy or chemotherapy has
been used (14,1773). For benzodiazepine withdrawal in elderly people
with insomnia, 2 mg of controlled-release melatonin (Circadin, see
Comments) taken bedtime for 6 weeks (the benzodiazepine dosage is
reduced 50% during the second week, 75% during weeks 3 and 4, and
stopped during weeks 5 and 6) and continued up to 6 months for insomnia,
has been used (349).
TOPICAL: For ultraviolet light protection, melatonin 0.6 mg/cM2 is
applied 15 minutes before exposure (1768,1769).
Comments A controlled-release oral melatonin product, Circadin,
demonstrates effectiveness for benzodiazepine withdrawal in elderly
people with insomnia (349), but is currently not available in the United
States. The product is undergoing a multi-center Phase III clinical
study in France for the indication of sleep. The manufacturer, Neurim
Pharmaceutical Labs (Israel), is preparing to apply for approval of
Circadin as a prescription drug in Canada and Europe (364). Most
commercial melatonin is synthesized in the laboratory. Melatonin from
animal sources should be avoided due to the possibility of contamination
(1772).
--
Lynda
slo...@webtv.net
and most times it is helpful, but once in awhile the hopelessness
returns, imbalance time from brain chemistry,
jerry