Melatonin as a chronobiotic

Melatonin is associated with sleep and biological timing, being secreted at night to regulate various physiological processes.

• Melatonin helps signal the length of night, impacting reproductive timing in mammals.
• Exogenous melatonin induces sleepiness and lowers body temperature during daytime if timed correctly.
• Timing of melatonin administration can shift the human circadian clock, advancing or delaying sleep patterns.
• Melatonin may help synchronize sleep in blind individuals with non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder.
• It has been used successfully for various sleep disorders linked to circadian timing, such as jetlag and shift work.
• No long-term safety data is currently available, and optimal dosage and formulation remain unclear.

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