Over the past reading break I decided to go on vacation rather than actually doing any reading. During this time, I messed up my sleep cycle and had a very difficult time falling asleep at night and waking up in the morning. Of course, I realized that this was partly due to my rowdy roommates and their will to stay up until the wee hours of the night. Being in the states, it was easy to go to the nearest drug store and grab some over the counter sleep aid, and in this case I chose melatonin.
Melatonin 3D Stick Structure via Wikimedia Commons by Sbrools
Light’s Effect on Melatonin Levels via Life Enhancement by Dr Rosick
Melatonin is a chemical and hormone which is naturally produced in the body to promote and control our sleep cycles. It is produced in the pineal gland within the endocrine system in humans. Melatonin is released into the bloodstream and is usually affected by light and dark surroundings throughout the day. For example, melatonin levels will tend to increase as the day goes on until night time to promote sleep. Near the end of the night, melatonin levels will start to decrease to help us wake up in the morning.
In recent years, melatonin has become increasingly popular as a natural remedy compared to the use of sleeping pills to aid people with sleeping difficulties or people suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). So the question is, how effective is melatonin pills in addressing these issues? According to a study published by the British Medical Journal on the effects of melatonin in cases of jet lag, results did positively reinforce our hypothesis.
Of course, it is recommended to take as little medication as possible if unnecessary. But this has become such a popular aid and a solution to to seriously consider if you are experiencing difficulties sleeping. I highly recommend speaking with your physician first. I personally will definitely be able to see for myself whether or not these melatonin pills are effective after tonight.
Wishing you all a good night’s sleep,
Bonnie Tam
