Melatonin has been widely used as a sleep inducer in children and adults – most of the time without professional supervision, since it is sold in pharmacies as a supplement and without a prescription.
Faced with the risks of abusive consumption, especially by children, the American Association of Sleep Medicine (AASM) issued an advisory recommending that parents consult a physician before giving melatonin to their children.
Popularly called the “sleep hormone”, melatonin is naturally produced by the human body and secreted by the pineal gland, located at the base of the brain. She is responsible for regulating the circadian rhythm – the vigil and sleep cycle (biological clock).
The statement from the American medical entity came after the Center for Disease Control (CDC) noticed a significant increase in emergency care in children’s emergency rooms because of overdoses of melatonin or intoxication after using the supplement.
American data show that the number of children who involuntarily ingested the supplement jumped 530% in 10 years, with more than 4,000 cases resulting in hospitalization.
little evidence
As in Brazil, melatonin is regulated in the United States as a dietary supplement and is available on supermarket and drug store shelves with less oversight than a conventional medication. The problem is that there is still little evidence of its effectiveness for treating insomnia in healthy children – few studies show possible beneficial effects in specific cases, such as some sleep disorders (circadian rhythm disorders) or autism.
In addition, the AASM highlights research that indicates that the melatonin content found in pharmacies ranged from less than half to more than four times the amount indicated on the label. The entity also says that the greatest variability was seen in chewable gums, generally more used by children.
According to neurologist Leticia Azevedo Soster, specialist in Sleep Medicine at Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, the use of melatonin has become more frequent, although there are no official figures on this consumption in Brazil.
“More and more we have received this demand in the office. Parents come to us because of their child’s sleep disorders and say that they use or have already used melatonin on their own. Rarely does a patient arrive who has not used melatonin for sleep consultations,” said the doctor.
Soster praised the American entity’s warning about the risks of using the supplement without adequate monitoring: “this recommendation is very correct. Any type of self-medication should be avoided because there are several factors that need to be considered before prescribing a medication or supplement. Often, when believing that the supplement is something innocuous, light, smooth, the person does not take into account some important side effects”.
Risks of over-the-counter use
According to the neurologist, the main complaints of parents are that the child has difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, which ends up causing more prolonged awakenings.
“Many think that because melatonin is a hormone related to the night and the rest period, it would consequently be the sleep hormone, which is not true. He is from the dark and repose, not necessarily sleep,” he explains.
When it comes to quality sleep, it is necessary to implement a healthy routine that guarantees a good night’s rest. Difficulty sleeping or waking up early, for example, is often related to everyday habits that must be corrected. Getty Images
***photo-woman-sleeps-with-alarmclocksA poorly slept night’s sleep directly interferes with mood and performance of the next day’s activities. In addition, levels of irritability, anxiety and stress can increase significantly. Getty Images
***photo-woman-in-deep-sleepStudies show that the ideal sleep time varies for each person, but the world average is six to eight hours a night. During deep sleep, important hormones are released for body regulation.Getty Images
***photo-man-napping-with-baby-in-his-lapMany people have poor sleep and don’t even realize it. When in doubt, how about adopting some techniques known as “sleep hygiene”?Getty Images
***photo-man-turns-off-alarmclock1. Create a routine: try to go to bed and get up at the same times every day, even on holidays and weekendsGetty Images
***photo-man-sleeps-near-computer2. Sleep a little earlier each day: take advantage of the period near the end of the vacation to sleep about 30 minutes before the time you used to go to bed each day, until you reach the ideal timeGetty Images
***photo-woman-with-insomnia3. Get up if you can’t sleep: Get out of bed if you have trouble falling asleep. Do something relaxing like taking a deep breath, listening to soft music, or reading a book. It is recommended not to turn on the television or use your cell phone. Only go back to bed when you are drowsyGetty Images
***photo-woman-uses-computer-in-bed4. Bed is for sleeping: never use the bed to study, read, watch TV, stay on the computer or cell phone. The body needs to understand that this is a relaxing environment.Getty Images
***photo-man-sleeps-in-dark-room5. Keep the room dark: having a completely dark room, without external light or lights from electronic devices, makes it easier to sleepGetty Images
***photo-woman-take-nap6. Avoid naps: limit daytime naps to less than an hour in duration and no later than 3 pm, so as not to impair your night’s sleepGetty Images
***photo-cup-of-coffee7. Avoid stimulating foods and drinks between four and six hours before bedtime. The list includes chocolate, coffee, soft drinks, black, green, mate and chimarrão teas. Getty Images
***photo-child-practices-boxing8. Avoid high-intensity exercise within three hours of your scheduled bedtime. They can make a person very alert and disrupt sleep.Getty Images
***photo-woman-relaxes-lying9. Slow down: set aside 15 to 30 minutes before bedtime to relax and slow down. Disconnecting from external stimuli helps signal the brain that it’s time to sleep.Getty Images
***photo-woman-avoids-alcoholic-beverage10. Avoid alcoholic beverages and cigarettes: they also impair your sleep patternGetty Images
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As melatonin is classified as a supplement and not a medicine, it does not pass all the tests required by the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) to approve a medicine in Brazil – so it is not yet known whether there are long-term risks.
“What we know is that if the person uses more melatonin than he needs, he is simulating for the body that that moment is night. The body creates a metabolism at night that can be extended throughout the day, leaving melatonin circulating in the blood. It is as if the person were inducing a nighttime metabolic state during the day. And that is a risk.” (Einstein Agency)
