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Hypnotic activity of melatonin.
B M Stone1, C Turner, S L Mills
1Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, Centre for Human Sciences, Farnborough, Hampshire, UK. bmstone@dera.gov.uk
Sleep
|August 18, 2000
Summary
Melatonin taken late at night did not significantly affect nocturnal sleep in healthy adults. However, when taken in the early evening, melatonin demonstrated hypnotic effects comparable to temazepam.
Area of Science:
- Sleep Medicine
- Chronobiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Melatonin is a hormone regulating the sleep-wake cycle.
- Its potential therapeutic use for sleep disorders is under investigation.
- Understanding melatonin's effects at different administration times is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of melatonin on nocturnal and evening sleep patterns.
- To compare melatonin's effects with a placebo and temazepam, a known hypnotic.
Main Methods:
- Two double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over experiments were conducted.
- Experiment I: Melatonin (0.1-10 mg) administered at 23:30 to assess nocturnal sleep and body temperature.
- Experiment II: Melatonin (0.5-10 mg) administered at 18:00 to assess evening sleep and body temperature.
Main Results:
- Late-night melatonin (23:30) showed no significant clinical effect on nocturnal sleep or performance.
- Early evening melatonin (18:00) increased total sleep time and sleep efficiency, similar to temazepam.
- Melatonin at 0.1 mg reduced body temperature 6.5-7 hours post-ingestion.
Conclusions:
- Melatonin administered at 23:30 has no significant clinical effect on nocturnal sleep in healthy individuals.
- Early evening melatonin administration exhibits hypnotic activity comparable to 20 mg temazepam.
- These findings suggest timing is critical for melatonin's sleep-modulating effects.