What Does Melatonin Do?
3. Circadian Rhythm and Melatonin
Melatonin is not exclusively responsible for creating healthy sleeping patterns. The hormone works in conjunction with the body’s natural circadian rhythm. Essentially, a circadian rhythm is a person’s internal clock. Also known as a sleep/wake cycle, the rhythm is controlled by the brain and helps a person have a consistent experience with sleep. The hypothalamus dictates the rhythm and signals the body to produce melatonin when light levels begin to diminish. Though a circadian rhythm will remain somewhat consistent, external factors like prolonged exposure to light can disrupt the natural flow and cause issues with healthy melatonin production.
A person’s typical circadian rhythm can also be altered when he or she makes drastic life changes. If someone is used to working a standard 9-5 shift and changes jobs to work overnight shifts, it will create some sleep issues at first. The longer a person repeats his or her new schedule, however, the easier it is for the circadian rhythm to adjust to match it.
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