Melatonin said to impair motor skills - Medical News From Around The World - Brief Article

Nutrition Health Review,  Summer, 2002  

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SWITZERLAND--Melatonin, a common supplement taken to help trans-meridian travelers or night shift workers sleep during the day, is now believed to impair psychomotor vigilance for several hours. When subjects were given 5 milligrams of melatonin at 7:00 a.m. for 2 days, neurobehavioral tests showed a slowing of reaction time, decreased attention, and a trend toward increased sleepiness for up to 6 hours.

Consumers who take melatonin supplements should use caution before driving or engaging in other activities that require a high level of attention.

(Source: Behavioral Brain Research 2001;121:167-172.

COPYRIGHT 2002 Vegetus Publications
COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group