Melatonin has been widely touted in the news over the past few years as the latest anti-aging discovery. It has been reported as conferring numerous benefits in combating the aging process, and as well, it has been cited for its efficacy in helping to regulate the body's daily rhythms.

Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland, a gland tucked away inside the brain, back in behind the eyes. The pineal gland may, in fact, be what some eastern mystics have referred to as the "third eye". And because secretions of melatonin by the pineal gland are affected by light, this may not be as fanciful as it seems.

Melatonin has shown that it strongly affects the body's circadian, or daily rhythms. As daylight fades through the evening hours, the levels of melatonin begin to rise, reaching their peak around midnight. As these levels rise through the evening we eventually begin to feel sleepy, and are ready for bed. Conversely, as dawn breaks, the levels of melatonin, which have been diminishing during the night, drop off more sharply, inducing us to awaken for the day.

Because increased levels of melatonin are conducive to sleep, it has been used in this regard, in place of a sleeping pill. So far, melatonin has shown that taken a little before bedtime, it can significantly improve sleep.

In contrast with other potions and sleeping pills, melatonin has not demonstrated the kinds of side effects these other medications all too often bring on. As an added plus, melatonin has not shown itself to interfere with REM sleep. Melatonin is found to be one of the safest of hypnotics (sleeping medicines) in Children's Hospital in Vancouver, Canada.