melatonin
A hormone is a chemical released by a cell, a gland, or an organ in one part of the body that affects cells in other parts of the organism. Hormones in animals are often transported in the blood. Cells respond to a hormone when they express a specific receptor for that hormone.
Melatonin is a hormone found in animals, plants, and microbes. In humans, melatonin is produced by the pineal gland, a small endocrine gland located in the center of the brain but outside the blood–brain barrier, Production of melatonin by the pineal gland is inhibited by light to the retina and permitted by darkness. Its onset each evening is called the dim-light melatonin onset . The melatonin signal forms part of the system that regulates the sleep–wake cycle by chemically causing drowsiness and lowering the body temperature. takeing melatonin is said to help you fall asleep, however there is some evidence (Rosenthal 1987) that higher levels of melatonin contribute to seasonal affective disorder (SAD). a category of depresion, that is characterized by sleepiness. In autumn, when the days grow progressively shorter, resulting in an increase in the number of hours spent in darkness, people susceptible to SAD develop atypical depressive symptoms. These symptoms generally include difficulty waking up in the morning; a tendency to oversleep, to overeat, and to gain weight, a craving for carbohydrates such as sweets and breads, fatigue and decreased energy, difficulty concentrating and accomplishing tasks and withdrawal from friends, family, and social activities.
Rosenthal’s interest in studying the effects of the seasons on mood changes emerged when he emigrated from the mild climate of Johannesburg, South Africa, to the northeastern USA, In 1980, his team at NIMH admitted a patient with depression who had observed seasonal changes within himself and thought previous research regarding melatonin release at night may be able to help him Rosenthal and his colleagues treated the patient
Melatonin is a hormone found in animals, plants, and microbes. In humans, melatonin is produced by the pineal gland, a small endocrine gland located in the center of the brain but outside the blood–brain barrier, Production of melatonin by the pineal gland is inhibited by light to the retina and permitted by darkness. Its onset each evening is called the dim-light melatonin onset . The melatonin signal forms part of the system that regulates the sleep–wake cycle by chemically causing drowsiness and lowering the body temperature. takeing melatonin is said to help you fall asleep, however there is some evidence (Rosenthal 1987) that higher levels of melatonin contribute to seasonal affective disorder (SAD). a category of depresion, that is characterized by sleepiness. In autumn, when the days grow progressively shorter, resulting in an increase in the number of hours spent in darkness, people susceptible to SAD develop atypical depressive symptoms. These symptoms generally include difficulty waking up in the morning; a tendency to oversleep, to overeat, and to gain weight, a craving for carbohydrates such as sweets and breads, fatigue and decreased energy, difficulty concentrating and accomplishing tasks and withdrawal from friends, family, and social activities.
Rosenthal’s interest in studying the effects of the seasons on mood changes emerged when he emigrated from the mild climate of Johannesburg, South Africa, to the northeastern USA, In 1980, his team at NIMH admitted a patient with depression who had observed seasonal changes within himself and thought previous research regarding melatonin release at night may be able to help him Rosenthal and his colleagues treated the patient