What About Melatonin? - [Quick Take by Reactions]
Folks at the Reactions Youtube channel posted a quick video review on the evidence behind the use of melatonin to aid sleep.
They start by explaining what melatonin is and how it works inside the human body. Immediately after they cite from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine saying that melatonin should not be used to treat insomnia.
Since melatonin is not a drug but a supplement, it is not regulated by the FDA, so supplement sellers can market it. However, they cannot make medical statements about the supplement, but only loose suggestions of how it may be used. Such suggestions that appear on the bottle can be:
- supports brain health
- supports sleep function
- etc.
So very loose and non-specific. In such scenarios, the FDA cannot do anything. Anyway, do watch the video for their full take on melatonin.
The primary medical use of this melatonin is to treat sleep disorders. But I found out here that melatonin is not a sleeping aid. It does not help you fall asleep. It’s a hormone that helps regulate your sleep by making your body think it is night-time.
Also, melatonin products in the market has a single dose that is several times over the detailed 3mg.
Melatonin supplements are not regulated by the FDA. But just because it is “natural” does not mean it is safe.
In summary, melatonin may help some people but certainly the benefits are small.
According to what i knew until now
This video has sparked up a controversy, are all these lies?
I have found that many studies are being countered by other studies, most of the times making you ask yourself "what is science saying these last few weeks about red meat for example".
So while I think that the info you had might be true, the contrary might also be true. We just need to dig deeper or to actually look at the studies.
You see the issue of self medication has killed so many and what I mean by self medication is
Drugs that are neither approved not prescribed by a specialist or qualified personnel. This information will definitely safe some people as this has shed light on self medication
Melatonin is a hormone found naturally in the body. Melatonin used as medicine is usually made synthetically in a laboratory. It is most commonly available in pill form, but melatonin is also available in forms that can be placed in the cheek or under the tongue. This allows the melatonin to be absorbed directly into the body.
Melatonin is generally safe for short-term use. Unlike with many sleep medications, with melatonin you are unlikely to become dependent, have a diminished response after repeated use (habituation), or experience a hangover effect.
in fact, it's poorly absorbed.