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We studied the effects of single evening doses of melatonin (0.3 mg and 1.0 mg orally) on polysomnographically measured sleep in 15 healthy middle-aged volunteers, using a placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over design. Compared to placebo, the 1.0 mg dose of melatonin significantly increased Actual Sleep Time, Sleep Efficiency, non-REM Sleep and REM Sleep Latency. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that low dose melatonin has hypnotic effects in humans. It is possible that administered melatonin may have a role to play in the treatment of sleep disorders.

Original publication

DOI

10.1007/BF02246354

Type

Journal article

Journal

Psychopharmacology (Berl)

Publication Date

07/1996

Volume

126

Pages

179 - 181

Keywords

Cross-Over Studies, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Double-Blind Method, Female, Humans, Male, Melatonin, Middle Aged, Sleep, Sleep Stages