Melatonin: Truth and Misconception About Sleep Aids

In the fast-paced modern life, sleep problems plague many people. According to statistics, about one-third of the world's population has a sleep disorder, and Melatonin, as a substance that claims to improve sleep, has received widespread attention in recent years. But what exactly is Melatonin? Is it really the "master key" to sleep problems, as people expect?

Melatonin, also known as pineal gland, is an amine hormone secreted primarily by the pineal gland in the human brain. The human brain usually starts secreting Melatonin around 10 p.m. As Melatonin production increases, the body realizes that it's time to go to bed, reminding you that it's best to go to bed at the ideal time. Its secretion has a pronounced circadian rhythm, the secretion is inhibited during the day and the secretion is active at night, which can induce the body's natural sleep. Many sleep aids, nutritional supplements, and Melatonin tablets on the market contain Melatonin. These Melatonins are extracted from animals or microorganisms, and are essentially Melatonin supplements, which are synthetic hormones. With age, the body's own secretion of Melatonin gradually decreases, which leads to insomnia and dreaminess in many middle-aged and elderly people, so for them, appropriate Melatonin supplementation can improve sleep quality and improve physical function.

Melatonin is a health supplement to improve sleep, not a drug, so if you want to supplement Melatonin to achieve the effect of treating insomnia, this may not be effective. To be precise, Melatonin supplementation can promote sleep, but it is not a cure for insomnia. In terms of improving sleep, Melatonin does have a certain effect, mainly to adjust and restore circadian rhythms, due to jet lag, night shifts, etc. It is able to regulate the body's biological clock and normalize the disordered sleep-wake cycle, thereby helping people to fall asleep faster and improve sleep quality to a certain extent. For example, business people who often travel across time zones can better adapt to the time of destination and reduce the discomfort caused by jet lag after taking Melatonin.

However, to be clear, Melatonin is not a "miracle cure" for insomnia. Clinically, the causes of insomnia are complex and diverse, and psychological stress, environmental factors, and diseases can all lead to insomnia. For most people with primary insomnia, Melatonin doesn't solve the root cause. And Melatonin isn't for everyone. Pregnant women, lactating women, children, and people with autoimmune diseases should be cautious before using Melatonin. Long-term or excessive use of Melatonin may also bring a series of side effects, such as headache, drowsiness, nausea, gastrointestinal discomfort, etc., and may even affect the normal secretion of Melatonin by the human body and disrupt sleep rhythms.You can also improve the secretion of Melatonin in the body by using foods containing Melatonin, such as: sesame, walnuts, oats, red wine, millet, bananas, jujubes, black dates, apples and other foods.

In China, Melatonin is managed as a health food, not as a medicine. This means that it is not a substitute for formal medical treatment of diseases. When consumers buy Melatonin-related products, they should choose formal channels and brands with quality assurance to avoid buying substandard products. At the same time, we should not blindly rely on Melatonin to improve sleep, and maintaining good lifestyle habits, such as regular work and rest, avoiding electronic devices before going to bed, and creating a quiet and comfortable sleep environment, are the basis for maintaining a good sleep. Sleep is the cornerstone of health, and solving sleep problems needs to be considered comprehensively. Melatonin can help some people in certain situations, but before using it, it is important to fully understand its effects and risks, seek the advice of a professional doctor if necessary, and do not blindly follow the trend.