Melatonin is commonly called the sleep hormone because it is naturally produced by the brain during the night. It plays an essential role in the synchronization of the biological clock at nightfall (internal circadian rhythm). Its production decreases regularly from adolescence until the age of 70 when it only represents 10% of its initial level. Melatonin is widely recognized by the scientific community to participate in reducing the time it takes to fall asleep. It also helps reduce the effects of jet lag.
Melatonin is a hormone naturally produced by the body that plays an important role in regulating sleep . In adults, it can be used to treat sleep disorders such as insomnia and circadian rhythm disturbances . In children, it can be used to treat sleep disturbances related to conditions such as autism and restless leg syndrome .
The use of melatonin in adults is increasingly common to treat sleep disorders. Studies have shown that taking melatonin can help reduce the time it takes to fall asleep , improve sleep quality, and reduce nighttime awakenings. It can also be useful for people who have irregular work schedules or go through time zone changes.
Melatonin is also used in children to treat sleep disturbances related to conditions such as autism and restless leg syndrome. Studies have shown that taking melatonin can help reduce difficulty falling asleep, improve sleep quality and reduce nocturnal awakenings in these children. It is important to note that melatonin should only be used in children under the supervision of a doctor.
It is important to note that melatonin should not be used continuously for long periods. It is recommended to use it occasionally to help resolve temporary sleep disturbances and to discuss with a physician before use. There are also potential side effects from using melatonin, such as headaches and drowsiness, so it's important to follow directions for use and talk to a doctor if you have any concerns. .
These are the latest results of the CoviPrev survey carried out among 2,000 people aged over 18 between December 5 and 9, 2022 and made public on January 12.
These conclusions confirm those of previous waves: since the Covid 19 pandemic, the sleep of French people has deteriorated and 24% show signs of an anxious state – i.e. +11 points compared to the level outside the epidemic!
According to another study carried out in September 2022 , “the number of hours of sleep of the French per night is decreasing more and more. Thus, in 2022, the French are 61% not to reach the recommended 7 hours of sleep. They were only 47% in this case in 2018 and 58% in 2020. This year, only 39% sleep more than 7 hours each night on average. When we know that poor quality/quantity of sleep increases the risk of irritability , depressive symptoms , but also weight gain, hypertension or infection, we better understand the interest of taking the question of sleep seriously!
This is the result of work published in November 2020 by a team of researchers from the University of Tsukuba in Japan. They administered an antibiotic treatment to mice for 4 weeks, thus destroying a large part of their microbiota, then observed their sleep, day (period of rest in mice) and night (period of activity). Result: in mice, dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota induced by antibiotics causes disturbances in sleep cycles . Changes in the intestinal metabolism of amino acids and vitamins involved in the synthesis of neurotransmitters would be the cause of these sleep disorders.
If the quality of the microbiota influences the quality of sleep , conversely, quality sleep promotes the total diversity of the microbiome. This is the meaning of the work published in May 2019 by a research team from Washington State University. They have shown that sleepless or too short nights, insomnia or even fragmented sleep have repercussions on our bacterial flora.
In summary, melatonin is an effective treatment for sleep disorders in adults and children. However, it is important to speak with a doctor before using it and to follow the instructions for use to avoid potential side effects. It is also important not to use melatonin continuously and to look for long-term solutions for sleep disorders.