The Truth About Melatonin Supplementation
I hate to say it but you’ve been fooled! Melatonin is a stress hormone! No not a vitamin, not an “all natural” support for sleep, and certainly not a supplement everyone should be taking. Marketing has done a great job at duping us once again! It is a highly profitable supplement bringing in millions per year.
“Many health food stores are now selling melatonin, to induce sleep and “prevent cancer.” They have taken some information out of context, and don’t realize how dangerous melatonin is. It makes the brain sluggish, causes the sex organs to shrink, + damages immunity shrinking the thymus gland. It is the hormone of darkness and winter, and is produced in the pineal gland by any stress which increases adrenaline.” - Peat
But Laura, “it knocks me out.” Sure, it can make you sleepy because it is impairing your brain and putting your body in hibernation mode (not a good thing). Drinking vodka can also “knock you out,” it’s also “natural”, should you be taking it to fall asleep? Eh no.
Melatonin slows your metabolism, adrenaline goes up in response. When adrenaline goes up, so does melatonin which further slows your metabolism, which worsens sleep.
As humans we perceive darkness as stress.
Stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol rise during darkness. These hormones when chronically high reduce metabolism, lower immunity, decrease blood flow to the intestines, and contribute to storage of belly fat.
Excess stress inducing melatonin increases prolactin levels in the body which can cause excess secretion of calcium in urine leading to mineral imbalances, anxiety, and osteoporosis.
On top of that, excess melatonin stimulates the production of estrogen and inhibits progesterone production causing infertility and every symptom that involves estrogen dominance.
The problem is not that your body is not producing enough melatonin. Why are you having trouble falling asleep in the first place? Look at how you spend your day, your stress levels, get light on your eyes upon waking snd balance blood sugar by eating enough during the day.
Swipe ➡️, implement some of these sleep strategies before you reach for that stressful melatonin.
*Not medical advice.
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