World travellers should be informed that circadian rhythms need about one day to adapt for each time zone passed. For instance, a five-hour time difference will require about five days of adaptation. Patients experiencing withdrawal symptoms from hypnotics, or those enduring a period of severe stress, must also be identified. Similarly, doctors must recognize diseases that could be contributing to insomnia. Arenot J. Melatonin.
Claims made in the popular media are mostly nonsense.
Zhdanova I, Wartman RJ, Lynch HJ, et al. Sleep-inducing effects of low doses of melatonin ingested in the evening. Garfinkel D, Laudon M, Nof D, et al. Improvement of sleep quality in elderly people by controlled-release melatonin. The melatonin miracle.