You may be asking yourself, “What is melatonin, really?” The answer is pretty simple: melatonin is a hormone that occurs naturally in many living beings. It is naturally found in humans, some animals, and even algae. It is a critical hormone that the body uses to regulate sleeping cycles (circadian rythm). As you click around the many links on this site to learn more about sleep, sleep products, sleep solutions, and other melatonin information, we hope you learn everything you need to solve all of your sleep issues.
Human beings and other animals produce melatonin through the pineal gland, which is located outside the blood-brain barrier. In most the lens and retina also make melatonin.
In addition to a living creature or organism producing melatonin, it can also be biologically produced/grown. This synthetic melatonin is most commonly used in the supplements available for purchase in most health food and drug stores. It is strongly suggested, based on current available research, that ‘harvested’ melatonin (such as that from Algae) be avoided due to other chemicals that may still be living in them. These other chemicals can cause serious side effects and complications.
Artificially synthesized melatonin that is infused into the system via supplements has proven to be a very effective way of increasing the total amount of melatonin present in the body.
The human brain has a temperature regulator called the hypothalamus which contains SCN. The SCN receives information from the retina about how a body is handling the process of day and night and how the circadian rhythm should influence the body. Melatonin is secreted by non-image based information of light pattern.
In many organisms, lymph cells and cells of bone marrow have also been known to produce melatonin. These are the peripheral cells in action.
We have mentioned the ‘circadian rhythm’ numerous times on this site. As you likely know by now the circadian rythm regulates your sleep cycle. How does the body get to know when the time to sleep is and how to adjust for the biological and seasonal internal clocks? Well, the function of melatonin defines the clock. The difference in the amount and span of melatonin production determines when you will feel tired and when you won’t. When your body feels time for you to be awake, very little melatonin will be present in the body; likewise, when your body feels it is time for you to be asleep, your body will increase melatonin production and induce drowsiness.
Seasonal factors also have an effect on sleep cycles. Your body automatically adjusts the circadian rhythm and thus the melatonin production to compensate for the long nights of winter and the short nights of summer.
Maintaining the biological clock is clearly the most important function of the chemical. Its presence falls during daytime and is heightened in production during the evening and well into the night. Then again, as the day approaches, production drastically decreases.
Melatonin helps in the antioxidant related need of the body. Antioxidants reverse free radical damage and also cut out the chances of carcinogens destroying the DNA’s. This prevents cancer to a great degree. Antioxidants are also great means of flushing out body toxins and raising body metabolism. Melatonin production also aids the immunity levels present in the body. These are also known to boost the fight against autism.