1. What is melatonin?

Melatonin is a hormone produced by our body during the night. More commonly known as the “sleep hormone”, it is created from the pineal gland (located behind the brain) letting our body know it's time to go to bed and wake up. Melatonin levels are highest in the evening, when the sun sets, and decreases when it rises.

Light plays a crucial role in the amount of melatonin in your body, the more you are exposed to it, the lower your levels will be. Being in a dark room with little or no light will help melatonin rise and signal that it's time to go to sleep.

  1. Why use melatonin?

Melatonin is often used for people who suffer from insomnia, but also for those who wish to regulate their sleep cycle, for example workers who have unsuitable rotating hours, jet lag, anxiety problems, or a mess in the night cycle.

Taking melatonin allows you to manage the flow of melatonin in your body so you can get better nights. The sleep phase is advanced, and people fall asleep early in the evening and wake up early in the morning.

  1. What are the benefits of melatonin?

Melatonin and your body's circadian rhythm work together to let you know when it's time to

  • Sleep
  • Wake
  • Eat

According to Bruno Claustrat, doctor at the Lyon University Hospital, melatonin would also act on the rhythm of body temperature and accentuates the drop observed during the night.

Melatonin is also an effective antioxidant, it helps protect our body against free radicals and thus allows the prevention of many diseases.

In conclusion, melatonin is a hormone that considerably promotes everyone's sleep phase. Research has highlighted the benefits of melatonin which have therefore been recognized by some health authorities. Good sleep hygiene is always essential to be in optimal conditions at bedtime.

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