Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the brain which regulates the sleep-wake cycle and other hormones.
Traditionally it has been used by travelers, shift workers or geriatrics (lower melatonin levels) to regulate their sleep cycles. BUT the sleep benefits continue for a few other conditions:
1. Menopause: May help with regulating sleep cycle in menopausal women however with no added benefit of controlling hot flashes and other associated symptoms.
2. Breast & Prostate Cancer: Melatonin may have a synergistic effect when used with some chemotherapy drugs. It has also been noted in a few studies that those with breast or prostate cancers have lower melatonin levels than those without.
3. ADHD: May help regulate sleep cycle, no benefit to behavoral problems.
4. Sunburns: Topical melatonin may be helpful in preventing sunburns.
5. Irritable Bowel Syndrome: May reduce symptoms of abdominal pain, bloating etc.
6. Epilepsy: In initial studies may reduce frequency of seizures.
Whew. Not bad eh?
