Melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone, which then works on other hormones.
I am putting Melatonin in the dangerous drugs category because:
1) Its a hormone. There is no safe hormone, ever...
2) Parents are giving this to their children!!
3) Its the new hot thing in the media and research... we just don't know enough...
For Adults
I don't know... again this is a hormone. I would say its dangerous, if you are still getting your period.
Adults are pass puberty - they have reached their full height. (growth hormone restricted by melatonin)
You still do not want to see bright light while taking Melatonin.
There are studies coming out saying it might be helpful for cancer treatment.
There is conflicting studies - There could be a slight connection with women with insomnia (because of low melatonin) and it being a possible sign of breast cancer?
Another study shows low melatonin levels (poor sleep), and increased risk of skin cancer.
Apparently other parts of the body make melatonin as well... and depending on who makes it, different things happen. This is important because it affects the immune system
Looks like Melatonin might be good for the older population and keeping their bones strong
BUT - it looks like for women that are still ovulating - it will screw up your periods and ovulation... your testosterone will go up.
Here are some studies...
Effect of melatonin on tumor growth and angiogenesis in xenograft model of breast cancer. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24416386
First-morning urinary melatonin and breast cancer risk in the Guernsey Study. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24418683
Urinary melatonin levels and skin malignancy. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24453396
Immune-Pineal Axis: Nuclear Factor κB (NF-kB) Mediates the Shift in the Melatonin Source from Pinealocytes to Immune Competent Cells.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23708099
Melatonin effects on luteinizing hormone in postmenopausal women: a pilot clinical trial NCT00288262 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6874/6/8
Melatonin and its correlation with testosterone in polycystic ovarian syndrome http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3963309/
Melatonin dietary supplement as an anti-aging therapy for age-related bone loss. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24617902
New bone formation in bone defects after melatonin and porcine bone grafts: experimental study in rabbits. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24602080
Distribution, function and physiological role of melatonin in the lower gut
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3198018/
Melatonin makes old bones stronger, research shows http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140526130643.htm
For children
I think it is dangerous if you do not follow proper protocol:
1) Go to the doctor to see if he is low in Melatonin first
2) Get a sleep study done.
Yes this stuff, works for sleep, but you don't know what else it is affecting. While a child is developing, there is a certain amount and order hormones are produced in the body. Some hormones for example trigger puberty. And only once puberty has started, will other hormones be introduced. My worry is that introducing Melatonin at the wrong time or the wrong dose, could bring on early puberty or who knows what else. According to the study below, more melatonin causes less growth hormones...
Best thing is to check out the studies below. Check out the last link - where you see what happens when you have too much or not enough...
Here are some studies...
Influence of Melatonin on the Health and Diseases of the Retina - https://www.landesbioscience.com/curie/chapter/1488/
Growth Hormone Regulation by Melatonin and Serotonin - http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v244/n5413/abs/244230a0.html
Melatonin-dependent infertility. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10362288
Pharmacokinetics of melatonin in human sexual maturation. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8626852
Serum melatonin in central precocious puberty is lower than in age-matched prepubertal children. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1909703
Relation of Melatonin to Sleep Architecture in Children with Autism http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3746009/
1000 studies have been published on melatonin http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=896
Potential drug interactions with melatonin http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0031938414002078
Children with Melatonin problems - read what happens if you have too much or not enough
My Thinking things through
1) Pineal gland is outside the blood brain barrier and puts melatonin directly into the blood. why is it outside the blood brain barrior?
2) Questions I have about melatonin is - mode of entry. Now, if you are orally taking melatonin, this means that the gut will get melatonin first. Apparently, the gut and other parts of the body are able to make melatonin and when they do, they affect the immune system. If the brain and other parts of the body make the exact same melatonin chemical - than I would have to assume, where the melatonin hits first, will make different chain reactions in the body?
2) Gut has 400 tiime melatonin than the pinal gland?!?! http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3198018/
3) Therapeutic actions of melatonin on gastrointestinal cancer development and progression http://www.amepc.org/tgc/article/view/976/1877