Posted by Questionmark on August 7, 2008, at 0:31:32
In reply to does exog. melatonin intake interrupt natural secr, posted by iforgotmypassword on June 16, 2008, at 21:06:58
Great question, and something i've wondered about for a long time, as melatonin is far and away my most preferable anti-insomnia medication or substance.
I would say yes it probably does to some extent. Besides the obvious perception that negative feedback loops seem to be in place for almost every neurochemical, I also am pretty sure I recall reading that this is even one of the reasons that taking too much melatonin in a single dose can be counterproductive. It mentioned that it's often more effective to take too little melatonin than too much (say, for insomnia) because too much will result in diminished release from the pineal gland. I don't remember how reliable this source was and don't know how true it is, but I have ever since (few years or so) applied this and believed (and believe) it to be true. Maybe not though, i'm not sure.
Also, though I find the tolerance to melatonin to be far less than something like, say, antihistamines or zolpidem (Ambien), a friend (or two?) has said that he is not that fond of it (melatonin) because it stops working if he uses it for several nights in a row. Of course he is a major depressant user and alcoholic.
So, my guess is yes but I'm still not sure. Good luck.
> i was trying to make the title "Does exogenous melatonin intake interrupt natural endogenous secretion?"
>
> i know blue light interrupts it for sure. even if you are not overcompensating for the presence of blue light by taking melatonin supplements. does providing melatonon from an exogenous source impede the natural endogenous production?
>
> does the pineal gland say "oh we already have some melatonin, stop making more"
>
> this would be a problem for me as i am trying to find ways to increase melatonin production so i can lower serotonin. as my permanent EPS come from the other side of tardive syndromes (SSRI-induced)
>
> sorry for any messiness/incoherence, i do not have the concentration and execution to check through.
poster:Questionmark
thread:834992
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/neuro/20080706/msgs/844733.html