Melatonin, the sleep hormone. Is it safe?
Since ANVISA's approval as a dietary supplement in 2021, melatonin use for treating sleep disorders has become a hot topic. Despite the approval and no prescription being required, melatonin should be used with great caution.
But what exactly is Melatonin?
Melatonin is a hormone produced by the brain during the night. It acts directly on our circadian cycle. It's what "tells" our body that it's time to sleep.
But how?
Melatonin, known as the sleep hormone or the darkness hormone, is produced in response to the absence of light. That's why we start feeling sleepy at night or during a movie session, for example, and wake up when we come into contact with light again, whether artificial or not.
Because it's a substance naturally produced by our body, the melatonin you buy at the pharmacy is called exogenous melatonin. When we use exogenous melatonin, our body may understand that it's time to prepare our cells for sleep, and we may feel sleepy earlier than usual.
The melatonin dosage also deserves attention, since there is no medical consensus on the ideal amount to use in adults or children. The initial dose should be as low as possible, and throughout treatment, the doctor assesses the need for any adjustments. See how important it is to have a healthcare professional's guidance?
I understand, so in which cases can I use melatonin?
Melatonin is indicated for treating circadian rhythm disorders**,** such as jet lag situations, when the time zone change completely disrupts your biological clock.
Another condition where melatonin use is indicated is for shift workers who have difficulty falling asleep when they get home to rest.
There are also significant benefits to using melatonin in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, where the incidence of sleep disorders can reach up to 80%.
According to the Brazilian Consensus on Insomnia, melatonin is not indicated for treating insomnia, one of the main reasons people rush to pharmacies to buy the hormone.
According to psychiatrist and Sleep Medicine specialist Caio Bonadio: "About 35% of people suffering from insomnia use medications like melatonin without medical supervision. Since this is a hormone we naturally produce, a careful evaluation by a healthcare professional is needed before deciding whether or not to use melatonin."
Benefits vs. Side effects of melatonin
The benefits of melatonin, when used correctly, mainly include:
- Relaxation at bedtime
- Circadian cycle regulation
- Aid in fat metabolism
- Contributes to restorative sleep
On the other hand, the most common side effects include:
- Nausea
- Daytime drowsiness
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Agitation
- Nightmares
We don't yet know the implications of long-term melatonin use, which is why it's so important to understand that, despite being considered a dietary supplement, melatonin is a hormone and should only be used with the recommendation of a specialized healthcare professional.
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