Melatonin and Sunlight: Can It Really Beat Insomnia?
Just what is it that makes us sleep? What a great question! So
if only researchers could pinpoint the answer then perhaps all
the companies that manufacturer insomnia medications would be
out of business.
It really doesn’t matter to whom you ask what it is that makes
us sleep, but one thing is for sure and that is you will get a
range of answers.
While there are some of us who must have a comfortable bed and
a quiet bedroom, there are others who simply believe that the
body will sleep when you are tired enough and actually in need
of sleep. Many people would say that a big, fat, hearty meal
would cause you to sleep. But guess what folks, the actual
answer to this question is that you sleep when the natural
hormone melatonin is released.
The hormone melatonin is secreted from a gland located at the
base of the brain called the pineal gland. Melatonin is
secreted at various levels all day long. The varying levels of
melatonin which are present in your body at any given time
helps your body to regulate your body’s natural sleep-wake
cycle. So think about it, the tiny pineal gland is responsible
for your night of restful sleep or lack thereof. The pineal
gland and the melatonin it secretes helps to regulate your
internal body clock, which then helps to keep the body in a
state of chemical balance that impact the body in many
different ways.
For example, there is a correlation between the release of
melatonin and the body’s temperature, both of which are
controlled by the body’s circadian rhythm. Melatonin levels and
your body’s temperature are both actually lower during the
daytime but they gradually increase as evening approaches and
as you might have suspected, your body’s temperature and
melatonin levels reaching their highest levels during nighttime
sleeping which makes the most sense.
The pineal gland is stimulated by sunset and darkness which is
you’re your melatonin levels increase as darkness falls. But
the opposite is true during the daytime hours, which is when
you will find that your melatonin levels are barely traceable.
But, as daytime turns into night, the pineal gland begins to
release additional melatonin into the bloodstream. You can
almost feel the sleepiness creeping in as your melatonin level
increases. By this time your eyelids should be feeling heavy
and your body should feel tired. Another thing that happens as
your body gets ready for sleep is to actually lower your blood
pressure. This process continues as the melatonin in your
bloodstream continues to increase until it peaks in the wee
hours of the morning around 3 or 4 AM. And then you must
realize what a miraculous thing your body is, since as the
levels peak, they then begin to decline which helps you to
being to wake up.
Of course, anything that disrupts the normal release cycle of
melatonin can also disrupt your sleep patterns. If your body
senses lower levels of melatonin then your body will begin to
wake you up and prepare for the daytime.
So, although it is probably not the thing you obsess over,
knowing what triggers the sleep cycle is an important piece of
knowledge which can help you get a restful night’s sleep.
Melatonin definitely plays a critical role in helping you to
consistently enjoy a restful night’s sleep. So supplementing
with melatonin might be something to consider if you are
fighting insomnia. Talk with your physician to see if this
might be something that could be helpful to you.
About The Author: For more important information on getting a
good night’s sleep be sure to visit http://www.sleep-good.com
where you will find advice and tips on sleep habits, insomnia,
sleep apnea and more
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