Journal Club - Dubious role of Melatonin in Insomnia : JAMA study
Melatonin is the hormone that is pivotal in maintaining and regulating a person's circadian rhythm owing to which they are frequently used as an over-the-counter sleep medication.
Melatonin hormone is secreted by the pineal gland which is located at the back of the head. This hormone is found to demonstrate antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
However, according to recent research published in JAMA Network, researchers have found adverse effects linked to high doses or long-term use.
The bigger problem is the variation and lack of uniformity in the composition of various over-the-counter melatonin medications which has prompted the researchers to delve deeper into the issue.
The researchers examined reported trends in the use of melatonin supplements among US adults from 1999 through 2018. The recommended dosage of melatonin normally does not exceed 5 mg/d. Therefore they evaluated the prevalence and trends in the use of greater than 5 mg/d of melatonin additionally.
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