Melatonin • How it works? Researched 116 times

Melatonin hormone

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«Melatonin is a hormone, produced by the pineal gland among other locations, which regulates wakefulness.^[4] As a medicine, it is used to treat insomnia; however, evidence of benefit is unclear.^[5] One review found onset of sleep occurred 6 minutes faster with use but found no change in total time asleep.^[6]

Side effects from supplements are minimal at low doses.^[3] In animals, melatonin is involved in the entrainment (synchronization) of the circadian rhythm including sleep-wake timing, blood pressure regulation, seasonal reproduction.^[7] Many of its biological effects are produced through activation of melatonin receptors,^[8] while others are due to its role as an antioxidant,^[9] particularly in the protection of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA.^[10] In plants it functions as a first line of defense against oxidative stress.^[11]

Melatonin was discovered in 1958.^[3] Melatonin is sold over the counter in the United States, Canada and some European countries. In other countries, it may require a prescription or be unavailable. A month's supply costs about 1 USD as of 2017.^[6]

Positions on the benefits of melatonin for insomnia are mixed.^[5] An AHRQ review from 2015 stated that evidence of benefit in the general population was unclear.^[5] A review from 2017 found a modest effect on time until onset of sleep.^[3] Another review from 2017 put this decrease at 6 minutes to sleep onset but found no difference in total sleep time.^[6] Melatonin may also be useful in delayed sleep phase syndrome.^[3] Melatonin appears to work as well as ramelteon but costs less.^[6]

Melatonin is a safer alternative than clonazepam in the treatment of REM sleep behavior disorder—a condition associated with the synucleinopathies like Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies.^[12]^[13]^[14] In Europe it is used for short-term treatment of insomnia in people who are 55 years old or older.^[15] It is deemed to be a first line agent in this group.^[6]

Melatonin reduces the time until onset of sleep and increases sleep duration in children with neurodevelopmental disorders.^[16]

A 2016 review found no evidence that melatonin helped sleep problems in people with moderate to severe dementia due to Alzheimer's disease.^[17]

Melatonin is known to aid in reducing the effects of jet lag, especially in eastward travel, by promoting the necessary reset of the body's sleep-wake phase. If the timing is not correct, however, it can instead delay adaption.^[18]

Melatonin appears to have limited use against the sleep problems of people who work rotating or night shifts.^[19] Tentative evidence suggests that it increases the length of time people are able to sleep.^[19]

Melatonin appears to cause very few side effects as tested in the short term, up to three months, at low doses. Two systematic reviews found no adverse effects of exogenous melatonin in several clinical trials and comparative trials found the adverse effects headache, dizziness, nausea, and drowsiness were reported about equally for both melatonin and placebo.^[20]^[21] Prolonged-release melatonin is safe with long-term use of up to 12 months.^[22] Although not recommended for long term use beyond this, low-dose melatonin is generally safer, and a better alternative, than many prescription and over the counter sleep aids if a sleeping medication must be used for an extended period of time. Low-doses of melatonin are usually sufficient to produce a hypnotic effect in most people. Higher doses do not appear to result in a stronger effect, but instead appear to cause drowsiness for a longer period of time.^[23]

Melatonin can cause nausea, next-day grogginess, and irritability.^[24] In the elderly, it can cause reduced blood flow and hypothermia.^[25]^{[needs update]} In autoimmune disorder, evidence is conflicting whether melatonin supplementation may ameliorate or exacerbate symptoms due to immunomodulation.^[26]^[27]^{[needs update]}

Melatonin can lower follicle-stimulating hormone levels.^[28] Melatonin's effects on human reproduction remain unclear.^[29]» (wikipedia)

It is a hormone. Here is an overview of its with

Classification

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It is:

Biochemistry of Melatonin

↑ Increases: , , , , , , , , ,

↑ May increase: , , , , , ,

↓ Decreases: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

↓ May decrease: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Effects of Melatonin

↑ Improves or cures: ,

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↑ Causes:

↓ May worsen:

How to decrease Melatonin?

What Melatonin increases or causes?

What Melatonin decreases?

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Mindmaps

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Melatonin Biolinks

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Obviously Chromium + Melatonin contains Melatonin
9.2
Blue Light inhibits Melatonin
+1
9.2
Melatonin decreases Inflammation
8.7
Melatonin decreases TNF-α
8.7
Melatonin is Antioxidant
8.2
Melatonin decreases MDA
7.8
Melatonin decreases Insulin resistance
7.5
Melatonin decreases Blood pressure
6.7
Melatonin decreases IL-6
5.6
Melatonin increases Insulin sensitivity
5.6
Melatonin decreases Insulin
5.6
Melatonin decreases CRP
5.5
Melatonin improves Tinnitus
5.3
Melatonin does not affect CFS
5.3
Melatonin downregulates GnRH
5.2
Melatonin improves Sleep Quality
5.2
Violet Light inhibits Melatonin
5.2
Melatonin is not recommended for Sleep Quality
5.0
Melatonin inhibits NLRP3
4.5
Melatonin inhibits Insulin
4.4
Melatonin increases Nitric Oxide
4.2
Melatonin may improve Viral infection
4.0
Melatonin regulates Immune system
3.8
Melatonin decreases Skin aging
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Acceptable.)
3.6
Melatonin decreases Myoglobin
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Acceptable.)
3.6
Melatonin decreases ALT
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Acceptable.)
3.6
Melatonin decreases Serum CK
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Acceptable.)
3.6
Melatonin decreases Lactate Dehydrogenase
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Acceptable.)
3.6
Melatonin decreases AST
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Acceptable.)
3.6
Melatonin increases Antioxidant activity
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Acceptable.)
3.5
Melatonin decreases Lipid peroxidation
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Acceptable.)
3.4
Melatonin increases IgA
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Acceptable.)
3.4
Melatonin decreases Triglycerides
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Acceptable.)
3.4
Melatonin increases HDL
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Acceptable.)
3.4
Melatonin increases Glutathione
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Acceptable.)
3.4
Melatonin decreases Anxiety
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Acceptable.)
3.4
Melatonin increases Erectile function
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Acceptable.)
3.4
Melatonin decreases Depression
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Acceptable.)
3.3
Melatonin decreases Muscle degeneration
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Acceptable.)
3.2
Melatonin decreases Fasting Plasma Glucose
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Acceptable.)
3.1
Melatonin decreases LH
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Acceptable.)
3.1
Melatonin decreases IL-1β
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Acceptable.)
3.1
Melatonin decreases NF-kB
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Acceptable.)
3.0
Light at Night decreases Melatonin
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Acceptable.)
2.7
Melatonin decreases Liver Fibrosis
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Acceptable.)
2.7
Cold water immersion does not affect Melatonin
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Acceptable.)
2.4
Melatonin increases GnIH
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
2.4
Melatonin decreases ROS
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
2.4
Melatonin decreases IFN-γ
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
2.4
Melatonin decreases p38 MAPK
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
2.4
Melatonin decreases IL-8
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
2.4
Melatonin decreases IL-10
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
2.4
Melatonin decreases Fibrosis
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
2.4
Melatonin inhibits CTGF
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
2.4
Melatonin inhibits TGF-β
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
2.2
Melatonin inhibits Testicular volume
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
2.2
Melatonin decreases IL-2
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
2.2
Melatonin increases IL-10
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
2.2
Melatonin decreases iNOS
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
2.2
Melatonin decreases Amyloid-β1
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
2.2
Melatonin inhibits Fibronectin
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
2.2
Pineal gland produces Melatonin
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
2.2
Melatonin decreases Pulmonary fibrosis
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
2.2
Melatonin inhibits Collagen Type I
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
2.2
Light affects Melatonin
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
2.1
Melatonin decreases Autophagy
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
2.1
Melatonin decreases Lung Inflammation
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
2.1
Melatonin may improve recovery from Hemorrhagic stroke
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
2.0
Melatonin increases HO-1
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
1.9
Melatonin inhibits Thyroid gland
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
1.8
Melatonin decreases Weight
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
1.8
Melatonin inhibits cAMP
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
1.7
Melatonin decreases Thymus weight
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
1.7
Melatonin increases Thymus weight
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
1.7
Melatonin does not affect Weight
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
1.7
Melatonin does not affect size of Pituitary gland
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
1.7
Melatonin decreases receptors for GnRH
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
1.7
Melatonin decreases cAMP
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
1.7
Melatonin decreases FSH
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
1.7
Melatonin decreases Testosterone
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
1.7
Melatonin increases ROS
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
1.7
Melatonin decreases Spermatogenesis
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
1.7
Melatonin increases size of Thyroid gland
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
1.7
Melatonin increases TSH
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
1.7
Melatonin increases T4
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
1.6
Caffeine inhibits Melatonin
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
1.6
Melatonin decreases HOMA-IR
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
1.5
Melatonin may improve Macular Degeneration
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
1.5
High Intensity Red Light inhibits Melatonin
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
1.5
Melatonin improves Circadian rhythm
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
1.5
Tryptophan increases Melatonin
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
1.4
Melatonin may increase P65
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
1.4
Melatonin may improve Alzheimer’s disease
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
1.3
Melatonin inhibits Dopamine
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
1.2
Melatonin may prevent Colorectal cancer
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
1.2
Melatonin may improve CMT 1a
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
1.1
Melatonin may reduce BDNF
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
1.1
Melatonin may improve Endometriosis
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
1.1
Melatonin may decrease AST
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Low.)
0.9
Perhaps, Melatonin may improve COVID-19
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Very Light.)
0.9
Melatonin may decrease GGT
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Very Light.)
0.8
Perhaps, Melatonin may worsen Viral infection
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Very Light.) (BioMindmap had flagged this statement.)
0.8
Melatonin may prevent Bacterial infection
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Very Light.)
0.8
Melatonin may prevent Viral infection
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Very Light.)
0.8
Melatonin may cure Sleep Disorders
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Very Light.)
0.7
cAMP may affect Melatonin
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Very Light.)
0.6
Calcium may affect Melatonin
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Very Light.)
0.6
Melatonin may prevent Ebola
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Very Light.)
0.6
Perhaps, Insulin inhibits Melatonin
(Not proven by a research!)
0.3
Melatonin may increase Serotonin
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Very Light.)
0.3
Perhaps, Melatonin improves Sleep
(Not proven by a research!)
0.3
Perhaps, Melatonin lowers hCG
(Not proven by a research!)
-0.4
Perhaps, Melatonin may prevent COVID-19
(Not proven by a research!)
-1.1
Perhaps, Cherry contains Melatonin
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Negative.)
-1.4
Perhaps, Melatonin may lower Cortisol
(BioMindmap had flagged this statement.)
-1.4
Perhaps, DHEA excess lowers Melatonin
(BioMindmap Proof Quality is Negative.)

Evidence Sources

Biolinks for Melatonin are extracted by users from 76 related publications.

Melatonin hormone

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Summary on Melatonin

Classification

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Biochemistry of Melatonin

Effects of Melatonin

Sources

Lowering

Correlation

Absence of Correlation

Pathways of Melatonin

Mindmaps

Melatonin Biolinks

Evidence Sources

Melatonin hormone Favourite Track My Medkit My Symptoms My Goals

Summary on Melatonin

Classification Bolder font means better proofs. Alt+click opens node.

Biochemistry of Melatonin

Effects of Melatonin

Melatonin hormone

Favourite

Track

My Medkit

My Symptoms

My Goals

Classification

Bolder font means better proofs. Alt+click opens node.