Synchronizing effects of melatonin on diurnal and circadian rhythms
(Pfeffer et al., 2017) (all images are from the publication)
Awesome figure:
The article starts like this:
They go on to say, correctly, that melatonin isn't a sleep drug, but rather is a chronotherapeutic which can be used to correct circadian arrhythmia.
And the epic intro line in nearly every circadian-related publication:
"The ability to predict the daily changes of light and darkness, driven by the rotation of the earth around its axis, is present in almost all organisms."
"Continued [circadian] disturbances are linked to depression, insomnia, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and even premature death."
We've been talking about this for a while: humans around the world, over time, have thrived on a wide variety of foods. It's not asparagus, steaks, carbs, or mushrooms -- the one thing we've never gone without is the 24-hour light dark cycle to which our biology if fundamentally tethered.
Artificial light at night blunts melatonin secretion. This is worse in young children. New parents should consider some sort of screen-time-restriction and blue blockers for their kids. Melatonin supps in elderly may improve sleep and cognitive performance.
We synthesize melatonin as we need it -- there is no stored melatonin so when light hits your eye and shuts down melatonin synthesis, melatonin levels plummet rapidly.
"Melatonin" literally translates as "the tonic of darkness" LOL
We want a robust melatonin peak at night because Melatonin Sensitizes the System and prepares your metabolism and organs for a big breakfast which co-entrains central and peripheral pacemakers. Wear blue blockers at night. If you want to try supps, I'd opt for Serine instead of Melatonin.
That's all for now!
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