Melatonin improves mood and decreases stress hormone in fibromyalgia

Melatonin seems to improve mood, anxiety levels and quality of life while decreasing stress hormone cortisol levels in people with fibromyalgia, according to a small study in Biological Research for Nursing.

Melatonin is a hormone found naturally in the body but it can also be made in a laboratory. Its main function is thought to be to regulate night and day cycles or sleep-wake cycles. Melatonin is not widely available in the UK because scientists can’t agree on if it works.

In the current study, volunteers took different doses of melatonin for 10 consecutive days. A sham drug was given during the 10 days before or between melatonin doses. Mood, quality of life and pain levels were assessed using standard questionnaires and scales, and levels of cortisol were recording using urine samples.

Doses of 9mg, 12mg and 15mg of melatonin were associated with decreases in the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire scores, pain scores and urinary cortisol levels. Anxiety levels improved after 12mg melatonin dose and health-related quality of life improved after the 9mg dose. The authors conclude:

“Melatonin improved mood, anxiety levels, and quality of life while decreasing cortisol levels in patients with fibromyalgia.”

Click here to read the original research.

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