Melatonin is a natural hormone that is secreted by a gland in the brain. It is responisble for helping to maintain your natural sleep cycles. Melatonin production is affected directly by light. As the amount of light begins to drop in the evening, the level of melatonin that your body produces increases , and coninues until morning, when light levels begin to increase again. This then triggers the melotonin production to slow, and it's levels drop back down.

Melatonin production levels slowly drop with age. Many older adults make very small amounts of it, and some stop producing it altogether.

Melatonin has been used to treat various disorders, including jet lag, insomnia, and Seasonal Affective Disorder. New studies are examining it's ability to stop or slow the spread of cancer, strengthen the immune system, and even slow down the aging process. Some researchers are now using it to treat sleep problems in the blind.

Low doses of melatonin are being used to help children with autism to get better sleep. Studies have shown that nearly 70% of these patients suffer from sleep problems, often brought on by a deficiency of melatonin.

Melatonin supplements are safe in low doses, but you should always consult with a doctor before starting a supplement regime of melatonin. Some side effects of melatonin use are sleepiness/grogginess, headache, stomach problems, low body temperature, changes in blood flow, and the experiencing of vivid dreams.

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