Something New in Melatonin?

You don’t have to be a shift worker or jet setter to have awkward or non-existent sleeping habits, but both groups suffer quite a bit. Melatonin, one of the more popular over-the-counter supplements, may be headed toward a new delivery system, a patch placed on the body with small pulses of the hormone administered throughout the evening (or day), through your skin!

I’ve written about this sleep aid frequently because I get so many questions on it.  Many supplement companies and health food stores will claim that melatonin is a natural sleeping aid or nightcap because it “naturally” helps regulate sleep-wake cycles. Given its wide spread availability today, you’d presume it’s safe and effective.

Is it?

Well, that depends. Melatonin has been shown to help regulate sleep cycles in certain populations and really help out quite a few people, but like anything there are pros and cons :

• The precise mechanism of melatonin secretion in the body is not well understood. We do know, however, that melatonin isn’t just about sleep-wake cycles. It’s been shown to help regulate the female reproductive cycle and may also affect  the onset of puberty. Children who take melatonin can suffer a delay in sexual development. (So never ever give a child a melatonin supplement.)
• This new patch study showed that men and women had different levels of melatonin in their system with the same dosage patch! So a gender difference may apply.
• Studies have pointed to melatonin’s role in regulating blood flow, specifically in constricting coronary arteries.
• And it’s been suggested that melatonin can increase depression in people prone to the illness.

For the record, melatonin is a hormone, and it’s not a regulated drug under the FDA. No other hormone is available in the United States without a prescription. In some parts of Europe, melatonin is available by prescription only.

If this experimental patch version of melatonin reaches the market, it could have a much bigger effect on the body than just popping a pill. The half-life of a melatonin pill is short and it doesn’t last long; a patch, on the other hand, can deliver small doses throughout its use to keep the levels in the body consistent for a longer, stronger effect. This might be great for shift workers who sleep during the day, when the body does not like to produce melatonin.

The patch has been tested on people who sleep during daylight hours and work at night.. For this reason, I can see why a melatonin patch could be helpful to those who maintain schedules opposite to the usual solar day (where the body prefers to be functional).

And I have great respect for those who manage to live this life for the sake of their careers and my safety (e.g., emergency care, pilots, etc.).  But, even though the patch would be sold as a prescription, it wouldn’t surprise me to see people getting their hands on it without trying other sleep hygiene tactics first, which can be far more effective and healthier overall for the body, particularly for those of us that can really get our shut-eye at night.

Sweet Dreams,

Michael J. Breus, PhD
The Sleep Doctor™

Click here to see Dr. Breus's list of recommended sleep products. Click here to order his book, Beauty Sleep, on Amazon or Kindle.

Comments

[Alison]

I've read through your post twice now, and I still don't see how a patch is going to be any better than the pill. Both do the same thing: deliver melatonin. Seems to be a much less invasive thing to just pop a pill than slap on a patch that you have to continue to wear...

[George Dassinger]

I represent the relaxation beverage iChill which is composed of Melatonin primarily - plus Valarian Root, Rose Hips and B vitamins.

I am not trying to sell you on the product at all but I wanted to make you aware. Click on ichill.com

Thank you Doctor.

[Pamela Smale Williams LPC LMFT AAMFT AASECT]

What about Melatonin "Spray" dosing? I have been using this type of delivery for about 4 mos. and it seems to be helping me, a long term chronic insomniac. My hx. of migraines though is a concern if there is any relation to the constriction of arteries leading into the neck/head, then THAT would be counterindicated for me, any news there? Thanks Pamela in Plano TX.

[Marie DeBlaey]

My son has Autism and has taken Melatonin for 3 years to sleep. Your article has made me nervous about the effects on his sexual development. He has enough issues without that to deal with. I have also read about a link to infertility.Can you please write another article to tell all of the parents of Children with Autism what to do about this? I know a lot of children taking this for sleep disorders caused by Autism and now we may have another problem. Thanks for your help.

[Lawrence]

Dr. Breus emphasizes the potential negative effects of Melatonin supplementation without mentioning the potential positive effects. Studies on rodents have shown that Melatonin supplementation extended life of the rodents. Melatonin has shown statistically significant effects when used as a supplemental cancer treatment. It is a known antioxidant. In short, yes while there may be some negative effects from taking Melatonin, there also may be some even more consequential positive effects.