An update on transdermal melatonin use, sleep challenges, and jet lag

Ask a frequent traveler about melatonin and you’ll likely come across mixed reviews. While the melatonin website offers a long list of contraindications (1) users still find it useful to some extent. Now it seems that the less is more the use of melatonin will replace the excessive use of the past. Research now suggests that low-dose melatonin delivered through the skin (2) may better serve people with sleep problems, including frequent flyers with jet lag.

The jet lag problem that frequent travelers face would never be cured with melatonin alone. Travelers looking for a consummate solution need to consider all aspects of their frequent flying lifestyle; however, a review of current research suggests that melatonin may play a healthy role in the arsenal of tools available to frequent travelers.

Here is a summary of what we know about melatonin at the moment. Starting with the removal of melatonin (3), a lack of courage

• Cancer proliferation
• Compromised immunity
• Disorderly energy metabolism
• Compromised reproductive function and
• Altered eating behaviors

Normal melatonin production is encouraged

• Super antioxidant protection throughout the body
• Immune modulation
• Sleep initiation and
• Regulates hormonal function

The buzz surrounding melatonin shifted gears with research suggesting that transdermal application of melatonin may be beneficial where traditional melatonin use has previously failed. Notable flaws are the short elimination half-life cycle of oral melatonin, which means that while sleep onset could be achieved, it was not guaranteed to maintain sleep for as long as it lasted. Another challenge was the possibility of overloading the liver with oral melatonin and its metabolites. As disturbing as this is a chain effect is the way these metabolites interact with other aspects of the endocrine system.

The average person needs 0.03 mg of melatonin to fall asleep. Most melatonin pills have multiple times that, up to 300 times. Transdermal melatonin avoids the dangers mentioned above and is easy and convenient to use. Where it really shines is in its ability to keep you asleep in a different time zone when you would normally be awake due to daylight.

Given the mixed results and potential pitfalls of traditional melatonin use, I was skeptical but hopeful about the promise of transdermal melatonin. While my first preference is to always choose natural alternatives (like tart cherries in this case), now I can say that I would use transdermal melatonin along with other healthy tools in my jet lag arsenal.

References

(1) Melatonin.com accessed October 20, 2016

(2) Use of transdermal melatonin administration to improve sleep maintenance during the day – Aeschbach, D et al. “Use of transdermal melatonin administration to improve daytime sleep maintenance”. Clinical and therapeutic pharmacology 86.4 (2009): 378-382. PMC. Web. October 25, 2016.

(3) Melatonin, Sleep Disorders, and Cancer Risk – Sleep Med Rev. August 2009; 13 (4): 257-64. doi: 10.1016 / j.smrv.2008.07.007. Epub of December 17, 2008