What is Melatonin?

Melatonin is a hormone your body produces in the pineal gland to help you sleep. Your body functions upon a 24-hour cycle of light and dark, called your circadian rhythm, that regulates melatonin secretion in your body. During the day, your pineal gland is inactive and melatonin secretion is at a minimum. At night, however, as you're ready to fall asleep, your pineal gland is just starting to wake up, increasing your melatonin levels and helping your body relax and fall asleep. In fact, your melatonin levels peak at around 2 a.m., when you are likely in your deepest sleep of the night.

Have you ever noticed that you become tired more easily in the winter? In winter, there is less light than in summer, which disrupts the pattern of your melatonin secretion. Since melatonin secretion is dependent upon light, this causes you to become sleepier, which may affect your mood, during these months.

Besides promoting an optimal sleep pattern, melatonin has been shown to be one of the most potent antioxidants in nature, protecting your body from free radical damage. Melatonin levels can affect cardiovascular function and menstruation.

Because melatonin plays a vital role throughout your entire body, having a proper level of melatonin is essential for good sleep and optimal overall well being.