Exchanges with a pharmacist
What is melatonin?
Research on it is increasingly fascinating. It's a substance that, beyond its sleep-inducing effect, is a signaling molecule associated with the body's repair phases. All our cells produce melatonin. It's a molecule that we tend to produce less and less of as we age. The more we have, the greater our capacity for repair.
Melatonin plays a role in growth hormone. Growth hormone is the hormone that helps us grow. It is present in high concentrations in childhood and adolescence. After the age of 40, melatonin has a fascinating effect. It slows down certain aging processes and maximizes the growth hormone peak that occurs at night while the body repairs itself. There are now clinical studies 1,2,3 on osteoporosis, among others, showing that regular melatonin intake increases the bone reconstruction phase compared to the destruction phase. For bone health, it becomes a useful tool, like vitamin D, vitamin K, magnesium, boron, and silica.
Can we get used to it?
With melatonin, there is no feedback cycle like there is, for example, with hormones. In the case of the hormone: the body secretes a hormone, receptors tell the body that it has produced enough, and it stops or reduces production. This is not the case for melatonin. Melatonin has cycles that are associated with circadian cycles, among other things depending on light. For example, exposure to sunlight during the day increases melatonin production in the evening. We have no receptors telling our body that we have produced too much (unlike hormones). Thus, the notion that the body will become lazy in its melatonin production if we take it every day does not work. Conversely, supraphysiological dosages (much higher than what we naturally produce) will stimulate repair mechanisms.
Is melatonin suitable for everyone?
There are two reaction patterns associated with melatonin. People with the first reaction pattern feel nothing or feel better, deeper sleep and easier to fall asleep. People with the second reaction pattern feel they sleep poorly, are light sleepers, and may have nightmares. At this point, simply do not take melatonin. However, there is no danger; there is no known toxicity and no addiction.
Should a heavier person take more melatonin? Actually, there's a dose-response concept that's very individual. A heavyset person might respond to 1 mg, while a frail woman might respond to 10 mg.
Melatonin and children
For a child who can't sleep, this is the least worst solution since melatonin is safe. The problem with melatonin isn't the substance itself, but the fact that giving a child a pill creates a reflex that is difficult to break, this pill addiction. However, for some children, the answer to sleep problems will be melatonin, especially for a child with ADHD.
In conclusion
What does melatonin do? First of all, melatonin is not a good sleeping pill. It doesn't make you sleepy, but it does facilitate sleep, facilitate entry into theta waves (deep sleep waves), and help synchronize the recovery and repair phases of sleep. We don't sleep for nothing! Theories are that sleep helps repair the body and fix memory engrams. Melatonin does this.
References:
1.Cardinali DP, Ladizesky MG, Boggio V, et al. Melatonin effects on bone: experimental facts and clinical perspectives. J Pineal Res. 2003. Mar;34(2):81-7. Review. PubMed PMID: 12562498. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12562498
2.Tresguerres IF, Tamimi F, Eimar H, et al. Melatonin dietary supplement as an anti-aging therapy for age-related bone loss. Rejuvenation Res. 2014 Aug;17(4):341-6. doi: 10.1089/rej.2013.1542. PubMed PMID: 24617902. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24617902
3. Amstrup AK, Sikjaer T, Heickendorff L, Mosekilde L, Rejnmark L. Melatonin improves bone mineral density at the femoral neck in postmenopausal women with osteopenia: a randomized controlled trial. J Pineal Res. 2015 Sep;59(2):221-9. doi:10.1111/jpi.12252. PubMed PMID: 26036434. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26036434
Maison Jacynthe disclaims all liability. All information contained on this page is not intended to replace justified allopathic treatment or to disregard the expertise of the medical profession. It is up to each individual to take charge of their own health, to inform themselves, and to make the necessary changes to improve their condition. Therapeutic supervision by a qualified health professional is obviously recommended.
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