To Lukey, the pharmacology clown, on the effectiveness of melatonin as a
sleep aid:
Melatonin and sleeping disorders
By differing the amount of exposure to lightness and darkness, there is a
possibility of abrupting the sleep/wake cycle. It is shown this change
results from varying levels of melatonin being produced. There have been
many studies done on the effect that melatonin has on sleep in hopes of
treating sleep related disorders. There have not been many products
manufactured that do not have a ôhang overö effect and make users feel
tired
in the morning. Melatonin might be the answer. Many elderly have sleeping
disorders whether they are healthy or unhealthy (Garfinkel, Laudon, Nof, &
Zisapel, 1995). Garfinkel, Lauden, Nof and Zisapel (1995) did a
randomized,
double bind, crossover study in which they regulated the sleep quality of
12
elderly people. The melatonin used in the study was controlled release
melatonin. Some of the participants were given 2 mg of melatonin for three
weeks. Others were given a placebo for three weeks. There was a great
improvement in the sleep of those who took the melatonin in comparison to
those who took the placebo. The time it took for the subjects to fall
asleep
was decreased dramatically. The time it took them to wake up was also
significantly shorter. All of the subjects were found before hand to have
a
melatonin deficiency. With the extra grams of melatonin, they slept
through
the night quite efficiently. This study has lead researchers to believe
that
the replacement of melatonin in elderly people could increase their
ability
to sleep. No significant side effects were noted. Elderly people with
sleeping problems should look into the benefits of melatonin.
J. E. Jan and other researchers (1994) did a study on the sleeping
disorders
in children with severe sleep disorders. Most of the subjects were
disabled
and melatonin was their last hope of giving themselves and their families
rest. The fifteen subjects were given 2 to 5 mg or the placebo at bedtime
for seven to ten days. The study was a randomized, double-blind, crossover
study. The melatonin had a positive effect on most of the children. The
phase setting action of melatonin seemed to achieve the desired effects.
Some responded after the first dose. Most benefited by the third dose.
There
were not any side effects noted. The subjects did not have any hangover
effects. The researchers found an improved mood in the children. Melatonin
has a positive role in the relief of chronic sleep disorders.
Zhdanova (1995) conducted a study of healthy males with normal sleeping
habits to determine the effects of melatonin on their sleeping patterns.
The
study was a double-blind placebo controlled experiment in three phases.
All
of the males were drug free, did not smoke and had an average diet. The
average age of the subject was 26 years old. Zhdanova found that there was
a
large difference between the effects of melatonin and the placebo. The
subjects who had the melatonin took a shorter time to fall asleep than
those
who had the placebo. The subjects fell asleep around 40 minutes faster
than
they usually did. The size of the dosage did not seem to matter. The lower
dosages of melatonin worked as well as the larger ones. The dosage worked
at
1 mg. The best time to administer the dosage was around an hour before
bedtime. The subjects did not find any negative side-effects. The
melatonin
worked well in all cases.
References
Claustrat, B., Brun, J., David, M., Sassolas, G., & Chazot, G. (1992).
Melatonin and Jet Lag: Confirmatory Result Using a Simplified
Protocol. Biological Psychiatry, 32, 705-711.
Garfinkel, D., Laudon, M., Nof, D., & Zisapel, N. (1995). Improvement of
sleep quality in elderly people by controlled-release melatonin. The
Lancet, 346, 541-543.
Jan, J. (1994). The Treatment of Sleep Disorders With Melatonin.
Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 36, 97-107.
Lino, A., Silvy, S., Condorelli, L., & Rusconi, A. (1993). Melatonin and
Jet
Lag: Treatment Schedule. Biological Psychiatry, 34, 587.
Zhdanova, I. (1995). Sleep - inducing effects of low doses of melatonin
ingested in the evening. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 57,
552-558.
This re****t compiled by the Psychology Department of Vanderbilt
University.
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