Naked Science Forum
Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: VAB on 24/12/2010 17:30:32
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Is it possible that your brain could stop producing the sleep hormone; melatonin? Can one be born this way?
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I believe that the precursor to melatonin is some form of serotonin. I don't think we could do without serotonin, but a natural "knock out" of the gene for the enzyme(s) that create melatonin from serotonin is within the realm of possibility. On the other hand, the necessity of melatonin for an acceptable human sleep/wake cycle is also not known. So why do you want to know?
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Because the only way I am able to sleep is by using a melatonin supplement. Sounds weird, but that's the way it is. Rather annoying. Had it for the last 15 years.
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If someone takes a hormone medication homeostasis (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeostasis) can suppress their bodies natural production of that hormone.
The usual solution is to slowly taper off the medication dose over weeks/months, (not to stop taking it abruptly), giving the body time to resume production at normal levels, (assuming they have the capacity to produce the hormone in sufficient quantity).
NB: no-one should change the dose of any medication they have been prescribed without their doctor's approval.
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RD, melatonin does not require a physician's prescription (in the US).
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In a number of conditions melatonin response is faulty or inadequate and taking extra melatonin has been used to promote sleep ... In some countries melatonin is available to purchase freely as a ‘supplement’ but in the UK access is restricted to supply by prescription.
http://www.worcestershire.nhs.uk/file_download.aspx?id=931c24c0-e495-454c-8d69-295aff90ed3f
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Thanks, RD.
I will tell you one thing, it works. The only decent brand is Solal; and not the 'slow release' one. Strange that the UK would be so strict on something so beneficial?
VAB