Melatonin By: Levi Krolikowski

Where is Melatonin Produced? Melatonin is produced in the pineal gland. The pineal gland is a small gland in the brain that helps control sleep and when you should wake up.

Target Cell of Melatonin Melatonin affects the thyroid and adrenal cortex. In animals, melatonin can affect the skin pigment because the amount of melatonin is produced by the amount of light it is exposed to. Melatonin is produced more during the winter because the nights are longer while in the summer amounts of melatonin are smaller.

Causes of Melatonin Production Melatonin is produced to help regulate other hormones and to maintain the body’s “24 hour clock”. This clock is critical to determine when we fall asleep and when we wake up. Melatonin secretes more in the dark and less in the light. Melatonin also helps to control the timing and release of female reproductive hormones.

Melatonin is More Active When…. Children tend to have the highest levels of melatonin. As we get older melatonin levels drop. This is related to older people going to bed and waking up earlier than they did as a kid. As you get older, melatonin levels decrease causing sleep to decrease. Melatonin strengthens the immune system and as we get older the immune system becomes weaker. This correlates to why children and young adults tend to be healthier than older adults.

Structure of Melatonin

Hormone Entering Target Cell Melatonin is secreted in the darkness in order to allow the body to get the sleep that is needed. Any type of light can stimulate melatonin and cause the production of sleep to decrease. It is important for the surroundings to be dark for the best melatonin production. This enables the body to get the correct amount of sleep and pigment.

Amount of Melatonin in the Blood The amount of melatonin depends on your age. Children tend to have more melatonin in the bloodstream than someone who is older or is going into puberty. Melatonin tends to decrease with age and when puberty comes along. There is not a specific amount of melatonin and it just depends on how much your body may need to sleep. Pills are used for people that do not have enough but the most melatonin is produced in the darkest areas. Someone who sleeps in a lot of light will not sleep as well as someone who sleeps in the darkness.

Melatonin Causes the Body to…. Melatonin causes the body to fall asleep and wake up on schedule. Melatonin is known to help maintain the 24 hour “clock” and will help to get rid of jet lag and insomnia. Besides sleep, melatonin causes the correct timing for the female reproductive system.

Too Much or Too Little Melatonin Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Found most often during the long nights of winter This disorder results in profound depression, oversleeping, weight gain, tiredness, and sadness. Not Enough Insomnia Difficulty falling asleep Wake up often and have difficulty falling asleep Waking up early and waking up tired

Too Much/Little Melatonin Seasonal Affective Disorder Insomnia

Melatonin is Replaced By…. Melatonin can be made in the laboratory for people to take in pill form. These pills are absorbed directly into the body and will help someone fix their internal “clock” for sleep. Melatonin Supplements

Treatment Too Much Melatonin Not Enough Melatonin Exposure to bright lights for several hours each day to reduce the melatonin amounts. It is done until their body learns to maintain a certain amount. Not Enough Melatonin People with not enough melatonin are given melatonin supplements. This helps to sleep and get back to their normal sleeping patterns to maintain healthiness.