Bioidentical Melatonin: The Sleep Hormone

Melatonin is what your body produces as a natural regulator of sleep and waking cycles. The levels of melatonin in the body increase during sleep, but any light source will decrease the level of the hormone. Some claims have been made to women in menopause that melatonin contains an anti-aging agent, but the proof for that is not yet definite. It is possible to naturally stimulate production of melatonin by sleeping in a completely dark room or wearing a sleeping mask.

The perceived idea that teenagers are lazy since they can sleep all day is actually untrue. This usually occurs due to a high burst of melatonin during these years. As we get older, our levels of melatonin decrease, causing our sleep to be shorter and lighter. Therefore when you’re older, you tend to get up much earlier, and wake more easily during the night.

Melatonin replacement therapy increases the quality of sleep we get, allowing us to achieve REM sleep, which is the sleep in which our body repairs itself. We need this deeper sleep in order to feel well-rested, and thus making our days more productive. Studies have also indicated that melatonin may prevent against cancers.

Other beneficial qualities melatonin has on your body include:

- Decreases anxiety
- Improves bone metabolism
- Reduces tendency to blood clotting
- Improves immunity
- Improves thyroid production
- Slows the graying of hair