Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Medical Advisory Board
Matthew is a 43 y/o software salesman who travels internationally because of his job responsibility. He recently made a round trip flight from New York to Tokyo. It was a stressful trip and upon returning to N.Y. he experienced jet-lag—extreme tiredness experienced by an individual after a flight across several time zones.
It took him several days for his internal clock or biorhythm to resynchronize to his customary time zone in N.Y. He was getting up at irregular hours in the early morning and couldn’t get back to sleep. He was tired and irritable during the day. His work suffered for days until his body got into the rhythm of things. What’s going on?
Third Eye and Pineal Gland
Very early in fetal development, according to Arthur Guyton MD, the fetus develops three eyes. Later, one eye atrophies. However, certain cells persist in the pineal gland.
The pineal gland is located in the center of the brain. It’s a small gland about the size of a pea and shaped like a tiny pine cone, therefore, the name pineal. It makes and secretes the light-sensitive hormone melatonin into the blood and cerebrospinal fluid.
Melatonin is the hormone most commonly associated with the 24 hour light/dark (awake/sleep) circadian cycle — the internal, biological clock that helps to inform us when to get up in the morning and go to sleep at night.
The eyes and pineal gland are sensitive to light and darkness. Darkness increases the production of melatonin in the evening while the level of melatonin decreases as we get closer to the light of day the next morning.
Electrosmog and Blue Light
The picture of Abe Lincoln reading by candlelight, whether true or not, is a folksy image of the past. Today, most people in industrialized countries don’t read a book before going to sleep; rather they’re surrounded by electrosmog: computers, smart TV’s and phones, laptops, or devices that allow them to text or be on social media.
The downside to all of this electrosmog is that the gadgets emit on the rainbow spectrum Blue light. The short wavelength of blue light decreases the production of melatonin whether you use them or not. And if this electrosmog is in your bedroom, it can interfere with a good night’s sleep. In contrast, the long wavelength of red light increases the production of melatonin.
Melatonin, besides being dubbed the sleep hormone it has
- Antioxidant (scavenger of free radicles),
- Anticoagulant (thins the blood),
- Endocrine and
- Anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, it can
- Stimulate immune function.
Melatonin is considered 6-10t times more effective as an antioxidant than Vitamin E. If you’re taking warfarin, heparin or aspirin, it’s advisable not to use supplemental melatonin to minimize the risk of bleeding. Researchers think that melatonin supplements might help patients with certain cancers. It might also be useful in the regulation of endocrine secretions. There are other actions of melatonin in addition to those noted above.
Side Effects
Although uncommon, melatonin can cause
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Daytime Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Transient depression
Drug Interactions
Possible drug interactions include:
- Blood pressure drugs — melatonin might worsen blood pressure
- Blood thinning medications (anticoagulants), herbs, supplements — melatonin might increase the risk of bleeding when used in conjunction with them
- Diabetes medication — melatonin might cause an increase in blood sugar levels
- Sedative-type drugs — consult your physician before using melatonin
- Immunosuppressants — melatonin can interfere with chemotherapy (immunosuppressant) therapy by stimulating the immune system
- Alcohol, caffeine and tobacco can lower the levels of melatonin
- Seizure drugs — Melatonin might increase the risk of seizures
There are additional interactions of melatonin with drugs, herbs or supplements. Check with your physician or pharmacist before combining melatonin with them.
Researchers and others have written about Melatonin but important questions remain about the usefulness of it, how much to take, when to take it and its long term safety.
Glossary
Electrosmog is the invisible electromagnetic radiation resulting from the use of both wireless technology and line power electricity. Smart and cordless phones are common sources of wireless electrosmog.
Suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is located in the hypothalamus region of the brain, above the optic chiasm. There’s a neurologic connection from the eye to the SCN and the pineal gland. The SCN regulates the circadian rhythm in response to the light/dark cycle via a feedback mechanism with the pineal gland and the production of melatonin.
References
Schmerler, Jessica; Why is Blue Light before Bedtime Bad for Sleep? Scientific American; Sept. 1. 2015
Benrroch, EE; Suprachiasmatic nucleus and melatonin; Aug.19, 2008; Neurogy
Masters, Alina et al; Melatonin, the Hormone of Darkness; Brain Disord Ther; 2014
Booth FM; The human pineal gland: a review of the “third eye” and the effect of light; Aust N Z J Ophthalmol; 1987
This article is intended solely as a learning experience. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options.