The Origins of Melatonin: From Discovery to Global Sleep Aid
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Today, melatonin is known around the world as a natural solution for sleepless nights. But how did this humble hormone rise from scientific obscurity to become a billion-dollar wellness staple? Let’s journey back to its discovery and the decades of research that followed.
🔬 The Discovery of Melatonin
Melatonin was first isolated in 1958 by Dr. Aaron B. Lerner, a Yale University dermatologist who was researching skin pigmentation disorders. While studying the pineal gland, a tiny pea-sized structure in the brain, Lerner’s team discovered a substance that lightened the skin of frogs. They named it melatonin, from the Greek "melas" (black) and "tonin" (referring to its hormone nature).
“The pineal gland secretes a substance with skin-lightening properties in amphibians. We propose the name melatonin”
— Lerner et al., Journal of the American Chemical Society, 1958
Initially, researchers thought melatonin might treat skin diseases like vitiligo. But by the 1960s, its role in regulating sleep and circadian rhythms began to emerge.
🕰 From Frogs to Human Clocks
In the following decades, scientists found that melatonin secretion follows a clear circadian pattern, peaking at night and falling during daylight. This led to a revolution in chronobiology—the science of biological rhythms.
A pivotal study in 1975 by Lynch & Hsiao demonstrated melatonin’s effect on sleep in rodents, paving the way for human trials. In the 1990s, melatonin became widely available as an over-the-counter supplement in the U.S., largely unregulated due to its classification as a dietary supplement rather than a drug.
🌍 Melatonin in Modern Medicine
Melatonin’s popularity surged as sleep disorders, jet lag, and shift work became more common. It’s now used in:
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Insomnia therapy
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Jet lag treatment
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Sleep regulation in autism and ADHD
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Menopause-related sleep issues
In a 2014 review in Sleep Medicine Reviews, Zisapel noted that “melatonin is unique among sleep aids due to its chronobiotic properties and minimal side effects.”
💡 Why It Matters
Understanding the history of melatonin highlights how science can uncover surprising applications from unlikely places. What began as a frog pigment regulator is now a cornerstone of sleep health—and research into its broader roles (like immune modulation and neuroprotection) continues today.