You’ve probably heard melatonin described as the ‘sleep hormone’. But how is it produced in the body and what does it actually do? We asked a sleep expert to explain.
form but it is naturally produced by the body. “The hormone is released into the bloodstream by the pineal gland, which is an endocrine gland located in the middle of the brain,” Dr Meadows explains., helping us regulate our sleep cycles. “The light-sensitive cells in our eyes are able to detect the changes in light, which, via our body clock, instruct the pineal gland to release melatonin,” says Dr Meadows.are in line with the world’s natural rhythms of light and darkness.
It’s not just about when we stop seeing light, but also when we start. Our circadian rhythm kicks in again when we wake up, andMelatonin is beneficial in a number of ways. One of the most useful aspects of the hormone is that it helps us stick to a regular sleeping pattern, as the onset of darkness triggers its release. “Melatonin works to control the timing of your body’s circadian rhythm, which plays an important role in the regulation of sleep and wake patterns,” Dr Meadows says.
However, it’s important to remember that the release of the hormone won’t immediately send you to sleep, as many people believe. “Melatonin is not a sleep hypnotic or a sleep aid that puts you to sleep,” Dr Meadows stresses. “Instead, once in the bloodstream, melatonin works by placing the body in a state of quiet wakefulness, which in turn helps to promote sleep.”
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