How does MELATONIN exert its effect to aid sleep?

MELATONIN exerts its biological effects primarily by two methods:

1. Via activation of MELATONIN receptors

2. In its role as a powerful antioxidant;

MELATONIN has 3 cell-signaling actions:

• Endocrine - secreted by pineal gland into bloodstream

• Autocrine - MELATONIN binds to receptors of same cell which secreted it

• Paracrine - secreted by tissues/cells to act on local target cells

MELATONIN is involved in the regulation of seasonal and circadian fluctuations of other hormones/neurotransmitters:

MELATONIN promotes or inhibits synthesis/secretion of other hormones/neurotransmitters
Promotes	PROLACTIN - Positive relationship between the nocturnal concentrations of MELATONIN and PROLACTIN, and a stimulation of PROLACTIN after MELATONIN administration in young men.
Inhibits	LEPTIN is downregulated by MELATONIN, except in the presence of INSULIN, which increases LEPTIN; LEPTIN is secreted by adipocytes and is called the appetite suppressant hormone, informing the brain about the body's overall adipose tissue, which role determines energy homeostasis in the body. With INSULIN, MELATONIN increases LEPTIN ▲ , suppressing appetite▼ during sleep, so you stay asleep instead of being hungry all night. In a feedback loop: LEPTIN tells your brain you are not hungry, such that you stay asleep and make more MELATONIN Estrogen production DOPAMINE; GABA; GnRH -Down-regulates GnRH mRNA Ãª production in hypothalamic GnHR-secreting neurons -a link to sexual development and puberty.
Comments	Reciprocal with CORTISOL - which rises in the morning to its highest levels(ready for you to face the day),as MELATONIN declines (so you can wake up);
Other hormones involved	Gonadal steroids, pituitary gonadotrophins, thyroxine, and the adrenal hormones

Spiegel K, Leproult R, Van Cauter E. [Impact of sleep debt on physiological rhythms]

[Article in French]. Rev Neurol (Paris). 2003 Nov;159(11 Suppl):6S11-20.

NEWSTARTS CHART

Attend to Diet, Lifestyle & Emotional State

N E W S T A R T S

Nutrition

Exercise

Water

Sunlight

Thoughts

Air (oxygen)

Rest

Trust in God

Sex

C-Reactive Protein - Reliable Inflammation Marker

Inflammation

Chronic low-level inflammation (CLII) involved in almost all health problems

How to treat CLII

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMFT)

Electrotherapy

"The medical kit of the future"

The Body Electric

General electrotherapy health benefits. Used systemically and/or locally at specific problem areas of the body, its effective application has many benefits:

Detoxification	Wellness / Healthy aging	Pain relief
Relief from insomnia	Immune system restoral	Anti-Inflammatory
Maximizes cellular energy production	Accelerated tissue /bone /scar healing	Stress Reduction
Muscle relaxation / rehabilitation	Increased blood oxygen / circulation	+++

There are several reasonably affordable electrotherapy devices available for personal use. The following electrotherapies are those that have received a significant amount of positive feedback:

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy
Beck Protocol
Rife therapy
Ozone therapy
Near Infrared (NIR) class 4 laser therapy

Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES) applies specific frequency patterns to the head area, with the following benefits:

Balances neurotransmitters	Relieves pain	Treats depression
Substance abuse withdrawal	Relieves insomnia	Relieve stress / anxiety
Anti-Inflammatory	Fibromyalgia	+++