TREATMENT DATABASE

Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone produced in the pineal gland, the brain's "master gland." It is derived from serotonin, one of the brain's most important neurotransmitters. Serotonin, a neurochemical derived from the amino acid tryptophan, is converted by enzymes sensitive to the diurnal cycle of darkness and light into melatonin. Melatonin, because it is produced in the part of the brain that regulates diurnal rhythms, is essential for maintaining normal sleep patterns. Large amounts of melatonin are produced in children, which is one reason why young people sleep so much. As we age, melatonin levels decrease, making it more difficult for the elderly to sleep through the night.

Disruption of both melatonin and serotonin production has been implicated in seasonal affective disorder, the treatment of which involves increasing melatonin levels through exposure to full-spectrum light early in the day.

Melatonin also regulates the “gut clock.” About 400 times more melatonin is produced in the gut than in the brain. The reason for this is that digestion is regulated by circadian rhythms. Bile flow increases at night, as do other digestive secretions. Melatonin functions not only to set the circadian rhythms of the digestive system, but to harmonize them with immune and endocrine functions. When these rhythms are disrupted, digestive disturbances result.

It is known that people with severe insomnia are prone to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), peptic ulcers, fatty liver, GERD, and dyspepsia. When melatonin was used for treating IBS in one study, 88% of the patients reported significant improvement of their GI symptoms after 8 weeks of treatment with melatonin over placebo.

USES IN ME/CFS. Sleep disturbance is one of the primary symptoms of ME/CFS. Many patients experience persistent insomnia throughout the illness. Even after a full night's rest, patients awaken tired. Many clinicians believe that treating this sleep disorder is of primary importance because it reduces the severity of many other symptoms. However, owing to the prevalence of drug and chemical sensitivities in the ME/CFS population, it is not always easy to find a safe, effective means of obtaining a good night's rest. Melatonin may offer an alternative.

Note: Because melatonin is a hormone, physicians do not recommend giving it to children.

Treatment rating for Melatonin