Melatonin - Consequences

Consequences

Hormones are very powerful. They control the functions of many parts of the body naturally. Even though melatonin is considered a dietary supplement and is available without a prescription, it is important to consult with a physician before taking any hormones. A press release by Robert Sanders in UCBerkeleyNews notes that George E. Bentley, an assistant professor of integrative biology, has conducted research on melatonin and its effects in the brain. According to Bentley: "It really amazes me that melatonin is available in any pharmacy." He continued, "It is a powerful hormone, and yet people don't realize that it's as 'powerful' as any steroid. I'm sure that many people who take it wouldn't take steroids so glibly." Bentley noted that melatonin could have many unknown effects, but few data are available about how "it interacts with other hormone systems." (A separate entry on steroids is available in this encyclopedia.) Research has shown some benefits in taking melatonin as a supplement, primarily for sleep disorders, but its long-term effects are unknown. Therefore, people who take melatonin do not know what it may do to their bodies over time.

Melatonin is not recommended for some people. Healthy children produce large amounts of melatonin, so they should not take melatonin as a supplement. Nor is it recommended for women who are trying to become pregnant because melatonin can inhibit ovulation. Also, since the effects of melatonin on babies are not known, melatonin should not be used by pregnant or nursing mothers. People with certain immune-system conditions, like the disease leukemia, should not take melatonin either.

Because melatonin is a dietary supplement, it is not regulated by the FDA. Since the manufacturers do not have to follow strict guidelines, they can be more relaxed about ensuring a high quality product. This puts the user at risk of ingesting substances not listed on the bottle label or taking an amount of melatonin that is not reflected accurately on the label.