Melatonin and the reduction or alleviation of stress

In a double blind and placebo controlled study designed to investigate the effect of melatonin administration at 13:00 hr on menstrual characteristics , prolactin, and premenstrual syndrome-like symptoms during simulated eastw ard travel, it was noted that melatonin reduces or alleviates the stress as sociated with the simulated travel. Bright lights were utilized to simulate eastward movement across six time zones. Melatonin (10 mg) was given to he althy females for 5 consecutive days during the late follicular and early l uteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Hourly blood samples, used for analysi s of melatonin and prolactin levels, were obtained for 24 hr before enterin g the dose administration phase of the study and again on the last dose day . Volunteers also completed a profile of moods state questionnaire upon wak ing on each of 8 days which overlapped the in-house dose administration day s. The placebo group showed a prolactin peak at 13:00 hr (dose time) on the last dose day/blood draw, while the melatonin group showed a prolactin pea k at 15:00 hr. The prolactin peak at 13:00 hr is likely the result of stres s, since stress is known to elicit the release of prolactin. The peak at 15 :00 hr in the melatonin group was likely elicited by the administration of melatonin. Stress reduction in the melatonin group was supported by results from the profile of moods state questionnaire. The melatonin group consist ently demonstrated scores indicative of less stress.