Melatonin Improves Sleep

Melatonin is a hormone that is secreted by the pineal gland. This pineal gland is a tiny endocrine gland that is present in the center of the brain. This hormone was discovered in 1958, around the time when pioneering research was carried out in the field of medical sciences. Melatonin is a derivative of the amino acid trytophan. This hormone is believed to play a prominent role in the regulation of sleep cycles in individuals.

Sleep disorders

There are various factors that hinder the normal pattern of our sleep cycles. These can include sleep disorders such as sleep apnoea and the more common and prevalent cause of loss of sleep-insomnia. However besides these disorders, irregular or inadequate production and supply of the hormone melatonin is also found to adversely affect sleep cycles. People suffering from other diseases such as asthma, which have no obvious linkage to sleep disorders have also been found to be the reason for sleep loss. This is because the drugs used in the treatment of such diseases have side effects that include sleep loss. As far as asthma is concerned, drugs such as methylxantines and oral steroids have already been tested and recognized as factors that contribute to sleep loss.

Need for melatonin as a substitute

Research was carried out in this field and various solutions were suggested as to ways that would help to negate the side effects of this drug that led to sleep loss. A variety of hormone supplements were suggested as a remedy. However in natural processes of the body melatonin plays a significant role in the sleep cycle of humans, and so studies regarding the supply of this particular hormone in small quantities to negate the effect of the other drugs has shown encouraging results. This hormone is artificially prepared and administered in small quantities, to the concerned individuals.

It has to be stressed that the safety of administering this hormone has not been entirely convincing. Even as of now there are debates within medical societies as to whether this is the best option to catch up on your lost sleep.

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