Randomised trial, 1999
Does melatonin help reduce stress symptoms during simulated time zone travel?
Melatonin appeared to reduce stress more than placebo during simulated time zone travel, based on mood questionnaires. However, this was a small study with unclear sample size using simulated rather than real travel, limiting confidence in the findings.
What they did
Double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Healthy women received 10 mg melatonin or placebo for 5 consecutive days during late follicular and early luteal phases of their menstrual cycle. Researchers simulated eastward travel across 6 time zones using bright lights. Hourly blood samples measured melatonin and prolactin levels. Women completed mood questionnaires daily over 8 days.
What they found
In the placebo group, prolactin (a stress-related hormone) peaked at 13:00 hours (the time of dose administration). In the melatonin group, prolactin peaked 2 hours later at 15:00 hours. The melatonin group reported significantly lower stress levels on mood questionnaires compared to placebo. The researchers interpreted the later prolactin peak in the melatonin group as the body's response to the melatonin dose rather than stress.
What it means for you
Melatonin might help manage stress symptoms during time zone changes. However, the study was small (sample size not specified), used simulated rather than real travel, and only tested a single 5-day treatment. Results cannot be generalized to everyday PMS or actual travel. More research in real-world conditions is needed.
10 mg
melatonin dose
5 days
melatonin duration
6 zones
simulated time zones
About the study
- Original title
- Melatonin and the reduction or alleviation of stress
- Authors
- Kirby AW, Clayton M, Rivera P et al.
- Journal
- Journal of pineal research
- Year
- 1999
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- What was tested
- 10 mg melatonin or placebo for 5 consecutive days during late follicular and early luteal phases
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-079x.1999.tb00600.x
Topics
Related studies
Randomised trial, 1994
How does light therapy affect hormone levels in women with PMDD?
Survey study, 2026
What dietary, lifestyle, and psychological factors are associated with PMS in young women?
Survey study, 2026
Does exercise help college women with period problems and mental health?
Survey study, 2026
Does fear of childbirth explain why women with PMS are more likely to develop postpartum depression?
Survey study, 2026
What factors most strongly drive PMS severity in female engineering students?
Survey study, 2025
Do menstrual problems and poor sleep affect mood and thinking in teenage girls?