Melatonin: A wonder drug for sleeping beauty?

Maria Endah Hulupi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

For "Bambang", having a good night's sleep after a stressful day at the office was a luxury.

That was until he heard about melatonin from a colleague and also read an article in a leading magazine. He now keeps a bottle of melatonin pills on his bedside table.

"I take one pill shortly before I go to bed, almost every night. It then only takes me 30 minutes to fall asleep and I always wake up fresh the next morning without feeling tired or drowsy," he explained.

Melatonin is championed by some as a wonder drug, especially for long-haul travelers to help them adjust to jet lag or, like Bambang, people who are having trouble sleeping.

Jet lag is a condition that arises from a disturbance in the body's circadian rhythm after a long distance flight that involves crossing several time zones. Travelers need time to adjust themselves to the new time zone; during this transitional period, people will feel sleepy, alert and hungry at inappropriate times.

Meanwhile insomnia, which affects half of all adults in the U.S., is a sleep disturbance that makes it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep.

Apart from combating jet lag and insomnia, there have been claims that melatonin slows the aging process and has a positive effect in the treatment of cancer, high blood pressure and Parkinson's disease. It is even said to help in adjusting to menopause.

In treating their body cycle problems, many confirmed users believe that melatonin is safer than sleeping pills because it is classified as a dietary supplement, not a drug.

For instance, it is available in health supplement stores in Jakarta (a bottle of 60 3 mg pills costs about Rp 100,000) and in the United States, among other countries, but is not permitted for sale in the UK.

The British government's stance points to the fact that little is known about the safety of melatonin, its correct dosages, possible adverse interaction with other drugs, its side effects and long term effects.

What exactly is melatonin?. According to the U.S. National Sleep Foundation at its site www.sleepfoundation.org, melatonin is a natural hormone produced by the pineal gland, which lies at the base of the brain.

This pineal gland works in harmony with the light-dark cycle. When it functions correctly, the level of melatonin rises and makes people feel less alert, causing them to slowly fall asleep. The level then slowly drops in the morning hours before people begin to wake up. Melatonin levels are so low during the day that scientists often have difficulty detecting it.

Age also plays an important role in melatonin production. Older people, who are prone to insomnia, produce less melatonin than children do.

Like other dietary supplements, melatonin is not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Agency. It is not considered a drug because melatonin appears naturally in some foods, although the pills sold in stores are not the same as the substance naturally produced by the human body.

But the sleep foundation also mentioned that complaints like fatigue, depression, constriction of the arteries and effects on fertility have been reported.

Before you resort to taking melatonin for sleep disturbances, take a look at your lifestyle. Various factors can trigger this condition, including stress, emotional or psychological problems, drugs with sleep-disturbing effects and other habits, such as drinking caffeinated drinks and alcohol, trying to finish work and engaging in strenuous physical activities shortly before sleeping.

Sleep problems can also occur due to an unfavorable environment in your own bedroom. This is the reason why night- time tossers and turners are advised to consider possible factors that may be making it difficult for them to get a sound night's sleep.

* Is your bedroom too hot or too cold?

* Is it too noisy or too bright?

* Is your bed comfortable?

* Are you experiencing any physical problems that may be related to your sleep problem, such as heartburn, menopausal hot flashes, arthritis, headache or back pain?

* Do you take any medications that may cause sleeping problems as a side effect?

* Do you drink caffeinated drinks in the afternoon or evening?

* Are you drinking alcohol before you go to bed?

* Do you exercise within three hours of going to bed?

* Are you napping during the day?

* Do you work in bed or just before going to bed?