Melatonin

A Multitasking Molecule:

Melatonin Does a Lot More than Help you Sleep

By Makenna Huber

March 19, 2016

Makenna Huber

A Multitasking Molecule

Since the 1990s, neuroscientists were aware that melatonin helps prepare the body for sleep, but due to more recent research, they now know it also helps keep the brain in order. The molecule occurs naturally, produced by the brain as daylight diminishes and remains throughout the night. The natural increases and decreases of this hormone keeps the body's day-night cycle in sync. For years people have been using melatonin as a more natural alternative to harsher, more addictive sleep aids, but now researchers have discovered there are many other uses the body has for the substance.

Recent research shows that melatonin is a potent antioxidant. The substance minimizes oxidative stress and inflammation which reduces the damage caused by strokes as well as traumatic brain injury. This is partially due to the fact that it readily passes through the blood-brain barrier.

Melatonin has an effect on age-related disorders. This is because melatonin naturally decreases with age. In fact, the elderly have about half as much melatonin in the cerebral spinal fluids as they did when they were younger. Because of this dramatic drop, insomnia is much more common among the elderly. The decrease in melatonin may also increases the chances of developing Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

Researchers have also discovered that melatonin works similar to an antidepressant. Since seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is partially caused by the confusion of the sleep-wake cycle due to the lack of sunlight in the winter months, a low dose of melatonin as well as light therapy has been shown to treat the disorder. It's also common for people with major depression to have insomnia. Taking melatonin has been proven to help regulate their sleep schedule as well as boost their mood.

Overall, melatonin is proving that...