The role of melatonin in our body’s natural sleep cycle is an important one, governing when we sleep and wake.
For many people, lying awake at night trying to fall asleep for hours is a natural and common occurrence. When it takes forever to fall asleep, many people look to natural supplements, like melatonin, or pharmaceutical sleeping pills to help them find some rest.
Melatonin impacts both the mind and body, helping individuals sync their circadian rhythms, the body’s inner clock that dictates when we sleep and wake. These supplements are typically taken over other sleeping pills because they do not possess the same type of side effects.
Melatonin works together with your body’s circadian rhythm helping to regulate your body temperature, blood pressure and hormone levels while you sleep. Natural melatonin start to increase in your body when it is dark outside, this help to tell your body that is ready for bedtime. Using a supplement helps to push this process along, causing you to feel more tired and ready for bed.
The role of melatonin not only plays a part in aiding with sleep issues but it is also shown to treat stomach ulcers, heartburn and may even help with eye health. It also helps to treat jet leg, delayed sleep-wake phase disorder, sleep disorders in children and anxiety before and after surgery.
So, we know that melatonin works directly with your body’s circadian rhythm or biological clock, having a huge impact on your internal system. Melatonin binds to receptors in your body to help you relax and get tired for bed. By taking melatonin your body is directly affected as your circadian rhythm starts to change and coincide with when you take the supplement. It is important that your body can prepare itself at night to get ready to rest. Achieving a restful sleep has a tremendous impact on all areas of health and well-being.
Melatonin is produced in the pineal gland at night and serves as a time to cue your biological clock to anticipate sleep in the brain. Melantonin also aids in antioxidant defenses and helps to regulate blood pressure, body temperature, cortisol levels and sexual and immune functions.
Melatonin is a safe supplement to take and is available over the counter in North America. It is best to take in short-term due to more side effects showing in long term use. Although there are not serious side effects on the mind and body, melatonin should be taken for a short period of time to prevent any dependency or withdrawal symptoms.