Melatonin as a medication and supplement

Common card · No. 257753

Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone produced in the brain that is also used as a dietary supplement and medication. As a hormone, melatonin is released by the pineal gland and is involved in sleep–wake cycles. As a supplement and medication, it is often used for the short-term treatment of disrupted sleep patterns such as from jet lag or shift work, and is typically taken orally. Side effects from melatonin supplements are minimal at low doses for short durations (the studies reported that side effects occurred about equally for both melatonin and placebo). The most common side effects of using supplemental melatonin include headache, nausea, vivid dreams, and daytime drowsiness. Its use is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding or for those with liver disease. Melatonin acts as an agonist of the melatonin MT1 and MT2 receptors, the biological targets of endogenous melatonin. It is thought to activate these receptors in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus in...

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