Melatonin is a hormone made by the pineal gland in your brain. It helps regulate your body's schedule for sleeping and waking. As you age, the melatonin surge that typically occurs in the evening — signaling your body to sleep — declines. Some believe that this drop in melatonin is responsible for sleeping problems, such as insomnia, in older adults.
Other factors that may affect your sleep as you get older include:
- Changes in sleep patterns. After age 50, sleep often becomes less restful. You spend more time in light sleep than in deep sleep, the most restful kind. You may also find that you get sleepy earlier in the evening and wake up earlier in the morning.
- Lifestyle changes. You may be less physically or socially active. Activity helps promote good sleep.
- Medications. Many medications have stimulating effects. These include some antidepressants, decongestants, bronchodilators, corticosteroids and high blood pressure medications.
- Changes in health. Chronic pain from arthritis or back pain, as well as depression, anxiety and stress, can disrupt your sleep.
- Sleep disorders. Several sleep disorders become more common with age. These include sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome.
Melatonin is available as a dietary supplement that's marketed as a treatment for insomnia. Studies show that melatonin supplements are effective in about 10 percent of those with insomnia. Further study is needed to find out more about possible benefits and risks of long-term use of melatonin supplements.
