Melatonin

Melatonin is an active substance from the group of neurohormones, approved as a medicinal product for the treatment of sleep disorders. It is a natural hormone produced by the pineal gland of the brain, secreted at night, and plays an important role in regulating circadian rhythm and sleep. Melatonin has sleep-promoting, sleep-modulating, and potent antioxidant properties. It is also used to treat the symptoms of jet lag. Possible adverse effects include fatigue and drowsiness. Melatonin is a substrate of the CYP1A isoenzymes. Melatonin (ATC N05CH01) has sleep-promoting, sleep-modulating, and potent antioxidant properties and reduces body temperature. It is a natural hormone produced by the pineal gland (epiphysis) in the brain. Melatonin plays a central role in regulating circadian rhythm and synchronising the internal clock with the day-night cycle. It has various additional metabolic functions. Hormone secretion is light-dependent and is regulated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the human "internal clock" located in the hypothalamus. Light is the most important natural antagonist of the "darkness hormone". Melatonin interacts with the internal clock and can reset it. Melatonin levels rise after the onset of darkness and reach their peak around the middle of the night. They then gradually decline again. The effects are mediated through binding to MT1 and MT2 receptors. Melatonin is additionally a potent antioxidant. Clinical studies have shown that melatonin is effective against the symptoms of jet lag. The effect is greater when travelling eastward and when crossing multiple time zones.