Tell me what you know about melatonin for sleep?!
Question: Firstly, I'll point out that here in New Zealand, this is a prescribed medication - I've had a bit of a google, and it seems that in the States it's something sold in health shops?
Anyway, my doctor has prescribed me melatonin for Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (basically, my circadian rhythms are screwed and I can sleep in the daytime but not at night for some reason). I was wondering if anybody can tell me their experiences, whether it works for them and how well, any side effects? It isn't subsidised so it's quite expensive, and I want to know whether I should try it or not. Any comments on your experiences would be most appreciated!
Answers: Firstly, I'll point out that here in New Zealand, this is a prescribed medication - I've had a bit of a google, and it seems that in the States it's something sold in health shops?
Anyway, my doctor has prescribed me melatonin for Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (basically, my circadian rhythms are screwed and I can sleep in the daytime but not at night for some reason). I was wondering if anybody can tell me their experiences, whether it works for them and how well, any side effects? It isn't subsidised so it's quite expensive, and I want to know whether I should try it or not. Any comments on your experiences would be most appreciated!
All this information comes straight out of my medical dictionary.
Melatonin is a naturally occuring substance, considered a hormone and regulated by the endocrine system.
The gland responsible for it's release is the pineal gland, found in the base of the cerebellum. This gland is considered a light receptor.
(This gland provides the response to wake us up in the morning and get tired at night. Light is the trigger. )
**************************************...
My experience as a shift worker is that your day / night cycles are completely out of whack. Because you don't get enough exposure to natural daylight, and work under lights at night.
This upsets the pineal gland, which being the cooperative little thing it is, reverses your sleep cycle. Hence, sleep all day and awake all night.
Many people who have spent extended times in intensive care units suffer the same problem when they return to a day/night routine.
Hitler and the Japanese forces during WW2 used day light deprivation and spotlights at night as a form of torture successfully.
So, don't do shift work, it's a killer, or do something about the undesireable side effects. No option really eh?
We have stricter regulations surrounding pharmaceuticals in NZ & Australia than they do in the States. I am assuming it was prescribed by a sleep unit and/or neurologist?
I would try it for sure. You lose years off your life through sleep deprivation / disorders.
Yes I have bought it at GMC
Melatonin is a hormone produced in the pineal gland, a small gland in the brain, that helps regulate sleep and wake cycles. Very small amounts of melatonin are found in foods such as meats, grains, fruits, and vegetables. It is also available as a dietary supplement, though it has no known nutritional value
Levels of melatonin in the blood are highest prior to bedtime.
ilium, Don't know about the melatonin pills. You do make your own melatonin. What is essential is "darkness". If you really do sleep in the daytime, you need to go the the hardware store and buy a "full block" roller shade for your windows. The room needs to be real dark. Also you can buy those sleeping masks. You need darkness for your brain to generate it's own melatonin.