Does melatonin give you depression?

As we all know, melatonin is a hormone produced in the pineal gland that regulates our sleep patterns. It’s something many of us have turned to at some point in our lives – whether for jet lag, insomnia or just general anxiety-induced tossing and turning – but could it actually be making us depressed instead of happy little snoozing bunnies? Let’s dive into the science and see if there’s any truth to the claims.

What even is depression anyway?

Before we explore how melatonin might affect our moods, let’s first define what we’re talking about when we say “depression”. If you’re picturing someone lying on a sofa eating ice cream straight from the tub (or maybe that’s just me), then I’m afraid you’re not quite right. Depression encompasses much more than feeling sad or down in the dumps; it can also manifest as feelings of hopelessness, lethargy, lack of motivation, difficulty concentrating and sleeping too much or too little (just like college life). So with that settled…

The link between melatonin & depression

So here comes the big question: Can taking melatonin actually cause depression in individuals? While research has yielded mixed results thus far (ya know science isn’t always so clear-cut), several studies suggest there could be some sort of connection between overuse of synthetic melatonin supplements and increased risk of developing depressive symptoms among certain populations.

Pros Cons
Melatonin improves circadian rhythm function which is related to mood regulation Synthetic form doesn’t take into account individual differences such as dosages which makes it difficult draw an accurate/consistent correlation
It helps people fall asleep faster Could make people feel groggy and depressed if not taken correctly.
Natural melatonin occurs in certain foods (e.g. tart cherries, walnuts) Some people don’t respond well to synthetic melatonin

The darkness factor

Now onto the important stuff: how does melatonin affect our brains? At its core, melatonin is a natural sleep-inducing hormone that kicks into gear once it gets dark outside (so remember to put on those blue blockers y’all). Light suppresses the secretion of this hormone and allows us to wake up feeling refreshed come morning. However, during winter months when exposure to sunlight is scarce or for individuals who spend most of their time indoors due work hours or lifestyle choice, taking some form of supplement may be necessary.

Does too much equal bad?

While more research needs to be conducted in this particular field (as always) too much melatonin intake at improper times can interfere with your body’s natural ability secrete/release hormones resulting in grogginess/lethargy/worrisome symptoms that mimic depression – but what else? It may also contribute towards seasonal affective disorder (which isn’t exactly sunshine and rainbows), occasional bouts of irritability (cue Jersey Shore girls) etc.

Conclusions

So there you have it folks! While there could be a link between overuse of synthetic forms of Melotonin and developing depressive states particularly among those already predisposed to experience these emotions because let’s face it science still hasn’t drawn comprehensive conclusions yet due lack testing on different population groups so we could possibly expect mixed results going forward. That being said – even several cups caffeine depletes your mood faster than reaching nirvana after cycling 25 miles through wine country.

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