Melatonin: This is how important the hormone is for sleep

Melatonin influences significantly when we become tired. It is considered the pacemaker for our sleep-wake rhythm, because in the evening melatonin ensures that the body shuts down its system and we can sleep. Its natural antagonist is the "stress hormone" cortisol, which puts us in positive stress in the morning and keeps us awake and fit during the day.

What is Melatonin?

Calling melatonin just a sleep hormone sells this hormone, which was only discovered in 1958, far short. The renowned chronobiologist and preventive medicine specialist Dr. Jan-Dirk Fauteck has been researching the role of the internal clock in the human organism for decades. He is convinced that the key to a long healthy life is based on melatonin.

How does melatonin work?

In his book "Melatonin: The Secret of a Wonderful Hormone" he comprehensively describes what this special hormone is all about: In addition to its sleep-supporting effect, melatonin protects our body as a potent antioxidant against free radicals and ensures quality of life and mental fitness even in old age.

It strengthens our immune system, lowers the blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and can help prevent heart disease. Recent studies also demonstrate its excellent effectiveness in the treatment of cancer, dementia, diabetes, eye diseases, or infertility.

With numerous practical tips, Dr. Jan-Dirk Fauteck offers an indispensable guide for anyone who wants to take advantage of the benefits of melatonin. Brandstätter Verlag

Where is melatonin produced?

Light and dark determine our day-night rhythm. Melatonin is mainly produced in the pineal gland, the so-called "third eye." Every light impulse is transmitted from the retina of the eye to the internal clock.

This control center of the brain sets the body to night operation. Around 11 PM, the melatonin level reaches eight times that of the day. As a result, the body's system slows down: energy consumption is reduced, body temperature and blood pressure drop, and the organs begin to regenerate.

Dr. Jan-Dirk Fauteck compares melatonin to a gifted conductor who gives all important body functions and organs the signal to regenerate as a pacemaker. However, if the rhythm is no longer right, the body becomes unbalanced.

"A topic that chronobiology has been intensively dealing with for only about two decades. Thanks to this young science, we have realized how important the fine-tuning of rhythmicity is for our health and in the fight against many diseases," says Fauteck in his book.

In short: Sufficient sleep or enough melatonin is of extraordinarily great importance for health.

© Chevanon Photography

Caffeine can disrupt the nightly release of melatonin.

This is how melatonin protects against free radicals

The author demonstrates how potent melatonin is, among other things, using the example of oxidative stress and free radicals: "It has been shown that melatonin is more potent than vitamin C and vitamin E in fighting free radicals! The reason: Vitamin C does not immediately enter the brain, whereas melatonin penetrates very quickly and everywhere into every cell.

The significance of this effect cannot be emphasized enough, because: More than a hundred diseases of our time are associated with oxidative stress." It has been found that melatonin can protect against free radicals released during a stroke – and that damage the brain more than the stroke itself.

However, the older we get, the worse melatonin production functions, as the enzymes necessary for it become less over the years. The result: age-related sleep disorders.

However, more and more younger people are also affected by sleep disorders. A common reason: cell phones, tablets, and co. Most people take these electronic devices to bed with them and only put them down immediately before falling asleep.

When in the evening the body wants to switch to nighttime rest, even one minute of blue light can shift the sleep rhythm by up to an hour. Likewise, some medications can significantly affect the melatonin balance, for example, aspirin, ibuprofen, and beta-blockers. Caffeine and alcohol abuse also disrupt the nocturnal release of melatonin.

Sleep disturbances: Is taking melatonin advisable?

The melatonin market is booming, whether in the form of sprays, tablets, or drops. Does one really fall asleep faster with the help of a melatonin supplement? In combination with relaxation techniques and optimized sleep hygiene, many people report positive results.

Because melatonin is generally well tolerated. Moreover, these preparations do not cause dependence, unlike traditional, sometimes prescription, sleeping pills. However, if sleep disturbances persist for more than three months, one should definitely consult a general practitioner.