Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun A hormone, C13H16N2O2, derived from serotonin and produced by the pineal gland. It stimulates color change in the epidermis of amphibians and reptiles and plays a role in the function of circadian rhythms and estrous cycles in mammals.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun (Physiology) A hormone secreted by the pineal gland. Chemically it is N-acety-5-methoxytryptamine. Research has indicated that there are daily rhythms in secretion of melatonin, in particular due to the depressing effect on melatonin production by light received by the retina. Conversely it appears that melatonin may influence the circadian rhythms of animals. There is some experimental evidence that administration of melatonin may increase the amount of sleep in people with sleep disorders. However, the evidence is not convincing and the effect is not profound. Nevertheless, the deregulation of melatonin and its availability over-the-counter has led to many people taking melatonin to help sleep, without consulting a physician.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun A
hormone , related toserotonin , that is secreted by thepineal gland , and stimulatescolour change in theskin ofreptiles , and is involved in the sleep/wake and reproductive cycles inmammals - noun Any material similar in its chemistry and effect to the natural hormone.
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun hormone secreted by the pineal gland
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
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Examples
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Now, you probably also know the word melatonin because in supplement form it’s often used as a sleep aid, and for good reason.
You Staying Young MEHMET C. OZ 2007
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Now, you probably also know the word melatonin because in supplement form it’s often used as a sleep aid, and for good reason.
You Staying Young MEHMET C. OZ 2007
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Now, you probably also know the word melatonin because in supplement form it’s often used as a sleep aid, and for good reason.
You Staying Young MEHMET C. OZ 2007
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This article on sleep and melatonin is also available at Dr. Breus's official blog, The Insomnia Blog.
Dr. Michael J. Breus: Something New in Melatonin? Dr. Michael J. Breus 2010
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Many supplement companies and health food stores will claim that melatonin is a natural sleeping aid or nightcap because it "naturally" helps regulate sleep-wake cycles.
Dr. Michael J. Breus: Something New in Melatonin? Dr. Michael J. Breus 2010
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For the record, melatonin is a hormone, and it's not a regulated drug under the FDA.
Dr. Michael J. Breus: Something New in Melatonin? Dr. Michael J. Breus 2010
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In some parts of Europe, melatonin is available by prescription only.
Dr. Michael J. Breus: Something New in Melatonin? Dr. Michael J. Breus 2010
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The agency found evidence that melatonin is effective in treating people who have delayed sleep syndrome, who chronically tend to fall asleep well after midnight.
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Doctors also worry that because melatonin is sold as a supplement, its manufacturing is not as stringently regulated by the Food and Drug Administration as if it were a prescription drug.
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It's taken from cows once a week at the break of dawn, as they discharge a lot of a stress-relieving hormone called melatonin during the night.
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