Melatonin

Melatonin, also sold under the brand name Slenyto, is a hormone produced in the pineal gland which regulates sleep and wakefulness. It is involved in the synchronization of circadian rhythms, including sleep-wake timing, blood pressure and body temperature regulation, cardiovascular efficiency and muscle strength, and many others.

Theory
Many of melatonin's biological effects are produced through activation of melatonin receptors, while others are due to its role as an antioxidant, with a particular role in the protection of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA.

Melatonin supplements or medication are commonly used for helping people get to sleep or stay asleep.

Evidence
As a medicine, it is used for the treatment of insomnia, however, scientific evidence is insufficient to demonstrate a benefit in this area. Melatonin is also used for sleep dysfunction.

As a medicine, some forms of melatonin are licensed for use for Insomnia or sleep in children with ADHD.

Costs and availability
In Canada and the United States, melatonin is sold over-the-counter. In other countries, such as the United Kingdom, it is only available with a prescription but may be legal to import for personal use.

Risks and safety
Melatonin has not need studied in people with autoimmune disease, however ME/CFS is not classed as an autoimmune disease at present despite the immune symptoms.

Notable studies

 * 1996, Dissociation of body-temperature and melatonin secretion circadian rhythms in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome
 * 2016, Effect of melatonin supplementation on plasma lipid hydroperoxides, homocysteine concentration and chronic fatigue syndrome in multiple sclerosis patients treated with interferons-beta and mitoxantrone.

Learn more

 * Drugs.com - Melatonin
 * Wikipedia - Melatonin