Melatonin

Melatonin
5-methoxy-N-acetyltryptamine
Empiric formula	C13H16N2O2
Molecular weight	232.28
Bioavailability	30 - 50%
Metabolism	Liver
Elimination half life	32 - 40 minutes
Excretion	Urine
Pregnancy category	?
Delivery	1mg, 2.5mg, 3mg, and 5mg capsules; 1mg/mL or 1mg/4mL liquid; .5mg and 3mg lozenges; 2.5mg sublingual tablets; 1mg, 2mg, and 3mg timed-release tablets
Indicated for: insomnia jet lag sleep disorders

Melatonin, or 5-methoxy-N-acetyltryptamine, is a hormone produced by pinealocytes in the pineal gland, located in the center of the brain. It is a derivative of the amino acid tryptophan.

Melatonin helps regulate sleep-wake or circadian rhythms. Normally, production of melatonin by the pineal gland is stimulated by darkness and inhibited by light.

In recent times, melatonin has become available as a drug and a dietary supplement. It appears to have some use against insomnia and jet lag. It has been studied for the treatment of cancer, immune disorders, cardiovascular diseases, depression, seasonal affective disorder, and sexual dysfunction; no apparent benefit in these has been found.

To synthesize melatonin, serotonin is converted to N-acetylserotonin by the enzyme 5-HT N-acetyltransferase. N-acetylserotonin is then converted to melatonin by the enzyme 5-hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase. See serotonin for details on how tryptophan is converted to serotonin.

Commercial melatonin may be extracted from bovine pineal glands. There may be a risk of contracting mad cow disease. [1]

Evidence shows that melatonin can be responsible for vivid dreaming. This may be because melatonin releases naturally produced dimethyltryptamine from the pineal gland.