Melatonin

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Two round white melatonin tablets next to a bottle of melatonin tablets.

Melatonin, also sold under the brand names Circadin Adaflex, Ceyesto, Syncrodin and Slenyto, is a hormone produced in the pineal gland which regulates sleep and wakefulness.[1][2] 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.[3][4]

Theory[edit | edit source]

Many of melatonin's biological effects are produced through activation of melatonin receptors,[5] while others are due to its role as an antioxidant,[1] with a particular role in the protection of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA.[6]

Melatonin over-the-counter supplements or medication are commonly used for helping people get to sleep or stay asleep.[7][2]

ME/CFS[edit | edit source]

Evidence[edit | edit source]

As a medicine, it is used for the treatment of insomnia, however, scientific evidence is insufficient to demonstrate a benefit in this area.[8] 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.[2]

Costs and availability[edit | edit source]

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.

Dosage[edit | edit source]

Typical doseage for melatonin is 1-5mg per night.[2]

Risks and safety[edit | edit source]

Melatonin should only be used after doctor's advice in people with an [[autoimmune disorder|autoimmune disease],[2] however ME/CFS is not classed as an autoimmune disease at present despite the presence of some immune symptoms.[9][10][11]

Side effects[edit | edit source]

Melatonin side effects are usually mild, these can include:

Notable studies[edit | edit source]

News articles[edit | edit source]

Learn more[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Hardeland R (July 2005). "Antioxidative protection by melatonin: multiplicity of mechanisms from radical detoxification to radical avoidance". Endocrine. 27 (2): 119–30. doi:10.1385/ENDO:27:2:119. PMID 16217125.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Slenyto 5 mg prolonged-release tablets". electronic medicines compendium. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  3. ↑ Altun A, Ugur-Altun B (May 2007). "Melatonin: therapeutic and clinical utilization". Int. J. Clin. Pract. 61 (5): 835–45. doi:10.1111/j.1742-1241.2006.01191.x. PMID 17298593.
  4. ↑ Hardeland R, Pandi-Perumal SR, Cardinali DP (March 2006). "Melatonin". The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology. 38 (3): 313–6. doi:10.1016/j.biocel.2005.08.020. PMID 16219483.
  5. ↑ Boutin JA, Audinot V, Ferry G, Delagrange P (August 2005). "Molecular tools to study melatonin pathways and actions". Trends Pharmacol. Sci. 26 (8): 412–19. doi:10.1016/j.tips.2005.06.006. PMID 15992934.
  6. ↑ Reiter RJ, Acuña-Castroviejo D, Tan DX, Burkhardt S (June 2001), "Free radical-mediated molecular damage. Mechanisms for the protective actions of melatonin in the central nervous system", Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci., 939: 200–15, doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2001.tb03627.x, PMID 11462772
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Melatonin". drugs.com. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  8. ↑ Brasure M, MacDonald R, Fuchs E, Olson CM, Carlyle M, Diem S, Koffel E, Khawaja IS, Ouellette J, Butler M, Kane RL, Wilt TJ (December 2015), Management of Insomnia Disorder [Internet], PMID 26844312
  9. ↑ Carruthers, BM; van de Sande, MI; De Meirleir, KL; Klimas, NG; Broderick, G; Mitchell, T; Staines, D; Powles, ACP; Speight, N; Vallings, R; Bateman, L; Bell, DS; Carlo-Stella, N; Chia, J; Darragh, A; Gerken, A; Jo, D; Lewis, DP; Light, AR; Light, KC; Marshall-Gradisnik, S; McLaren-Howard, J; Mena, I; Miwa, K; Murovska, M; Stevens, SR (2012). "Myalgic encephalomyelitis: Adult & Paediatric: International Consensus Primer for Medical Practitioners" (PDF). ISBN 978-0-9739335-3-6. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  10. ↑ World Health Organization (2020). "ICD-11 - Mortality and Morbidity Statistics". icd.who.int. Retrieved May 20, 2020. Diseases of the nervous system
  11. ↑ "IOM 2015 Diagnostic Criteria | Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. January 27, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  12. ↑ "Side effects of melatonin". NHS. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  13. ↑ Williams, G.; Pirmohamed, J.; Minors, D.; Waterhouse, J.; Buchan, I.; Arendt, J.; Edwards, R.H. (July 1996). "Dissociation of body-temperature and melatonin secretion circadian rhythms in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome". Clinical Physiology (Oxford, England). 16 (4): 327–337. ISSN 0144-5979. PMID 8842569.
  14. ↑ Adamczyk-Sowa, M.; Sowa, P.; Adamczyk, J.; Niedziela, N.; Misiolek, H.; Owczarek, M.; Zwirska-Korczala, K. (April 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". Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology: An Official Journal of the Polish Physiological Society. 67 (2): 235–242. ISSN 1899-1505. PMID 27226183.

circadian rhythm Physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a 24-hour cycle, responding mostly to light and dark. Controlled the brain's hypothalamus. (Learn more: www.nigms.nih.gov)

adverse reaction Any unintended or unwanted response to a treatment, whether in a clinical trial or licensed treatment. May be minor or serious.

adverse reaction Any unintended or unwanted response to a treatment, whether in a clinical trial or licensed treatment. May be minor or serious.

central nervous system (CNS) - One of the two parts of the human nervous system, the other part being the peripheral nervous system. The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord, while the peripheral nervous system consists of nerves that travel from the central nervous system into the various organs and tissues of the body.

β β / Β. Greek letter beta (a symbol used in science), equivalent to "b".

physiological Concerning living organisms, such as cells or the human body.  Physio logical (as in physio) is not to be confused with psych ological (emotional stress).

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