Melatonin

Melatonin is an endocrine hormone that is principally produced and released into the blood by the pineal gland. The levels of melatonin fluctuate according to the activity of the endogenous biological clock that resides in the brain suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) and are diminished by bright light exposure (highest during darkness and sleep, and lowest during the day and in bright sunlight). It is proposed that melatonin acts as a time of day (circadian) and season (photoperiod) cue. Melatonin has been identified as a sleep-anticipating signal and as an important physiological regulator of the sleep-wake cycle.

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