How melatonin works, and benefits of supplementation (part 1)

Melatonin is one of the most popular OTC supplements, but most people do not have a good understanding of how/why it works, and what the benefits of supplementation are. In this article, we will examine melatonin’s role in the body and why supplementation can help, and will also touch on related issues such as available formulations and other benefits melatonin can provide aside from improving sleep.

Melatonin’s popularity is no surprise when you consider the lifestyles that most of us live in the modern era. For most of human history, our level of light exposure was determined almost exclusively by the consistent rising and falling of the sun. It makes intuitive sense that a regulatory pathway for the body’s cycles evolved based on the sun, which is exactly how melatonin works, and which we will shortly explore more deeply. The normal melatonin levels throughout the day are shown in the image below.

However, modern life disrupts this natural mechanism in a multitude of ways. Many people are exposed to sleep-disrupting agents such as caffeine, nicotine, prescription stimulants, etc. Rather than our light exposure ending when the sun sets, we often stare at computer, TV, or cell phone screens late into the night. Planning activities around a modern work schedule often involves being more active later into the day than is ideal. All of these issues and more are widely prevalent, and to some degree, quite difficult to avoid.

To continue reading, please view part 2 of this article.

Image source: https://www.physio-pedia.com/images/e/e8/Melatonin_production_in_24_hour_cycle.jpeg