MELATONIN

What is melatonin?

Melatonin is a hormone produced by the brain’s pineal gland in darkness. Melatonin synthesis relies on the amino acid tryptophan [^[1]].

What does melatonin do in the body?

Melatonin helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle and helps us sleep. Light exposure at nighttime can block the production of melatonin [^[2]]. While it is known as a sleep-promoting molecule, it also activates a molecule called NRF2, which plays an antioxidant role and prevents macrophages from acting in pro-inflammatory ways [^[3]].

At high doses, melatonin can be a robust scavenger of free radicals, a feat accomplished by interacting with enzymes that boost the body’s antioxidant defenses [^[1]].

Relevant to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, researchers believe melatonin has a variety of helpful functions: impairing COVID-19 infection; anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunoregulatory properties; restoring and maintaining a sleep-wake cycle (also known as the circadian rhythm); treating comorbidities of COVID-19 including metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and cardiovascular issues; neuroprotection; boosting function of COVID-19 vaccines [^[4]].

How can melatonin help alleviate certain Long COVID symptoms and pathophysiology? 

Because of its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-modulatory properties, melatonin can reduce symptoms associated with COVID-19. It also activates molecular activities inside the body’s cells that increase the expression of enzymes that make the potent antioxidant glutathione, which is another powerful supplement for Long COVID [^[4]].

Brain inflammation is thought to lead to lesions in the brain, which can contribute to Long COVID symptoms such as “brain fog.” Melatonin can treat delirium and can also help improve sleep-wake cycles for COVID patients in the ICU and Long COVID patients who have circadian rhythm problems [^[4]].

Lastly, in its role in protecting cells, melatonin can help prevent conditions that make COVID-19 outcomes worse, such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases [^[4]].

Melatonin can potentially serve as a neuroprotective supplement to help Long COVID patients with “brain fog” – the cognitive dysfunction experienced by many Long COVID patients. It may also be useful to control pain in Long COVID patients [^[4]].