The role of exogenous melatonin in the regulation of sleep

Abstract

Melatonin is a natural hormone produced by the pineal gland and is a derivative of serotonin. One of the key properties of melatonin is its chronobiological ability, realized by multilevel synchronization of biological processes. Physiologically, melatonin secretion increases at night and decreases in the morning. At present, the role of melatonin in the regulation of sleep, circadian rhythms, and adaptation of the body to a rapid change in time zones has been proven. With a decrease in the production of endogenous melatonin in a number of people (with a disorder of daily biorhythms due to long-distance flights, shift work, insomnia), the use of exogenous melatonin improves the quality of sleep.