Acute effects of low doses of melatonin on the sleep of young healthy subjects
Abstract
This study was undertaken to evaluate the acute effects of single low doses of melatonin given to healthy volunteers in the evening. Six healthy male volunteers (age range 22-24 years) participated in this study, after signing an informed consent form. They received in a double-blind fashion placebo or 0.3 or 1.0 mg melatonin at three fixed times: 18:00, 20:00, and 21:00 hr. Polysomnographic recordings began immediately thereafter, with their being allowed to sleep. Prior to each experimental session and in the following morning, subjects completed a sleep quality questionnaire, the Profile of Mood States, the Stanford Sleepiness Scale, and underwent a visual reaction test. Significant decrease on sleep latencies was found following melatonin treatment at 18:00 and 20:00 hr. In addition, melatonin tended to improve sleep efficiency and to reduce intermittent wakefulness. However, at 21:00 hr, 0.3 mg melatonin increased latency to sleep onset and 1.0 mg melatonin had no effect on sleep variables. Furthermore, melatonin given at different times did not alter subjective sleepiness, mood, and reaction time in the following morning. The results from the present study support the notion that administration of low doses of melatonin, mimicking the nocturnal physiological concentration of this hormone may exert immediate sleep-inducing effects.
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A positive effect of low doses (0.3 mg or 1 mg) of exogenous melatonin on sleep onset latency was observed in a small group of healthy males (n = 6) when administered at 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm.
“A positive effect of low doses (0.3 mg or 1 mg) of exogenous melatonin (gelatin capsules) on sleep onset latency has been observed in a small group of healthy males (n = 6), when administered at either 6:00 pm (0.3 mg 16.5 ± 19.9 min; 1 mg 12.3 ± 13.6 min; Placebo 23.1 ± 22.7 min) and 8:00 pm (0.3 mg 19.6 ± 14.1 min; 1 mg 20.7 ± 17.7 min; Placebo 53.4 ± 51.9 min) [52].”
From Sleep and Nutrition Interactions: Implications for Athletes (2019) · cites this paper as [52]
A dose response relationship for melatonin was not evident, as the 0.3 mg dose was as effective as the 1 mg dose when administered at 6:00 pm or 8:00 pm.
“A dose response relationship was not evident as the 0.3 mg dose, which is similar to endogenous melatonin concentrations, was as effective as the 1 mg dose when administered at 6:00 pm or 8:00 pm.”
From Sleep and Nutrition Interactions: Implications for Athletes (2019) · cites this paper as [52]
The impact of melatonin on sleep onset latency was time dependent: a 0.3 mg dose increased sleep onset latency when consumed at 9:00 pm, and there was no evidence of an effect when the 1 mg dose was administered at 9:00 pm.
“However, the impact was time dependent as a 0.3 mg dose increased sleep onset latency when consumed at 9:00 pm (0.3 mg 25.1 ± 10.5 min; 1 mg 12.1 ± 7.4 min; Placebo 8.8 ± 4 min) and there was no evidence of an effect when the 1 mg dose was administered at 9:00 pm [52].”
From Sleep and Nutrition Interactions: Implications for Athletes (2019) · cites this paper as [52]
A low dose of melatonin similar to nocturnal physiological concentrations can elicit a sleep-inducing effect.
“The results indicate a low dose of melatonin similar to nocturnal physiological concentrations can elicit a sleep-inducing effect.”
From Sleep and Nutrition Interactions: Implications for Athletes (2019) · cites this paper as [52]
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Sleep and Nutrition Interactions: Implications for Athletes
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“8± 4 min) and there was no evidence of an effect when the 1 mg dose was administered at 9:00 pm [52].”
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- Authors
- Pires, M. L. N., Benedito‐Silva, A. A., Pinto, L., Souza, L., Vismari, L., & Calil, H. M.
- Affiliations
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo (BR)
- Corresponding author
- Calil, Helena Maria
- Venue
- Journal of Pineal Research
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2001-11
- Volume
- 31
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 326-332
- ISSN
- 0742-3098 (ISSN-L)
- 1600-079X
- OpenAlex
- W1994710996
- Cited by
- 35
- References
- 27
- Citations by year
- 2024: 4 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 3 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 2 · 2013: 3
- FWCI
- 0.36
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Pineal Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- UNIFESP Institutional Repository (Universidade Federal de São Paulo) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and related disorders
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and Work-Related Fatigue
- Keywords
- melatonin, sleep latency, sleep efficiency, sleep onset, subjective sleepiness, mood, reaction time, healthy young adults, sleep quality
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Humans, Male, Melatonin, Sleep, Polysomnography
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