Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland which is located in the brain. The hormone formation in the pineal gland is based upon the exposure of the eye to the light and in response to it, there is the regulation of production of melatonin. When the light is perceived by the eyes and the signal is sent to the brain, the pineal gland responds by reducing the production of melatonin and when the light is not perceived in the eye that is during night time the pineal gland increases the production of melatonin. Since the melatonin is responsible for maintenance of the sleep-wake cycle and rhythm it increases the sleepiness in the night time due to persistently high levels in the blood that are attributed to persistent functioning of the pineal gland. Melatonin increases sleep and also helps in the induction of it. When the levels of melatonin fall, there the problem of insomnia arises.
Does Melatonin Help Anxiety?
According to various studies, it has been shown that the person suffering from increased apprehension also known as generalized anxiety and have a disorganized sleep-wake cycle are having lower melatonin levels in the blood as compared to normal people. Melatonin has been prepared in various forms such as a tablet, injectables, etc. and can be used to maintain the sleep-wake cycle and reduce the anxiety which characteristically occurs before the night time and is responsible for insomnia. The tablet form of melatonin comes with the name of ramelteon which is taken once a day dosing just before going to sleep. It is also useful in preventing Jet lag and can be used as an anti-anxiety medication.(1) It more commonly works upon the psychological symptoms of anxiety rather than the physical symptoms.
What Vitamins Are Good For Calming Nerves?
Anxiety can also occur due to the inappropriate or defective healing of the nerves which are constantly working throughout the whole time. It is necessary to consume such products which have the constituent factors responsible for the healing of the nerves. If the nerves properly regenerated, then it would be easier for a person to calm down his nerves. Although, all the vitamins are very important for the regeneration and healing of the nerves vitamin B5 also known as pantothenic acid is the most important which is responsible for antioxidant action on the nerves and helps to calm them better. It is a constituent of vitamin B complex and it is very important in the various biochemical pathways to help the person with anxiety issues. So, vitamin b complex can be given along with anti-anxiety medications to adjunct the treatment.
Other vitamins like vitamin E and vitamin E are also strong antioxidants and are required for various important processes in the body but are not linked to the nervous system as strongly as vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid.(2) Vitamin B complex comes in the form of capsules commonly known as becosules and is very cheap.
Before taking any medication for anxiety itself, it is very important to consult the doctor for the symptoms and to rule out other causes that can be dangerous shortly. Self-treatment can be harmful as well as dangerous and should not be done. Anxiety is not such an issue that it has to be feared for but appropriate treatment and consult is necessary.
Conclusion
Melatonin also comes in a tablet formulation known as ramelteon and can be given during night time just before sleep. It helps to treat insomnia and apprehensive features of generalized anxiety and is very helpful as an anti-anxiety medication. It may or may not be used as a first-line treatment depending upon the symptoms of the patient and understanding of the doctor. Vitamin b complex consisting of especially vitamin B5 is the most important vitamin for the soothing of nerves.
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