Hormones for Sleep Disorders? Self-therapy carries the risk of overdosing

Why do we get tired in the evening and wake up again in the morning? Our sleeping and waking rhythm is controlled by the neurohormone melatonin. It is formed as soon as it gets dark outside, then it gets into the blood from the pineal gland in the diencephalon. Usually, the levels of melatonin in the blood are highest between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. In the morning it sinks and we wake up. If the level of melatonin in the blood is low at night, it can lead to a lack of sleep. Doctors can prescribe the hormone in tablet form as a sleep aid to help regulate sleep patterns. But there are also sprays containing meltonin that do not require a prescription. But be careful: If sleep difficulties have other causes than a low melaton level, overdosing can occur. While sprays can be dosed relatively well, agents that are inhaled easily lead to an increased dosage. Then the sleep rhythm can suffer even more and you are tired even during the day. Especially in the darker months of the year, the melatonin content in the blood can be higher during the day because there is little sunlight. People who are prone to depression should then be extra careful.