/oss/taxonomy/term/687/all en /oss/article/medical/melatonin-safe-sleeping-aid <hr /> <p><em>This article was originally posted in the <a href="https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/christopher-labos-is-melatonin-safe-as-a-sleeping-aid">Montreal Gazette.</a></em></p> Fri, 05 May 2023 10:00:00 +0000 Christopher Labos MD, MSc 9501 at /oss /oss/article/health/clocks-set-rhythm-life <p><span>Most regions on Earth oscillate between a bright daytime and dark nighttime. In anticipation of the varying presence of light, most organism populations have evolved an internal clock that adjusts their behaviours to the time of day (in humans, this clock exists in a part of our brain and certain peripheral organs). Matching the duration of our days, this circadian clock coordinates unconscious behaviours over roughly 24-hour cycles. For instance, during the mornings, humans burn calories faster, sustain higher body temperatures, and have enhanced concentration compared to evenings.</span></p> Tue, 19 Jun 2018 19:41:06 +0000 Lunan Zhao, OSS Contributor 7146 at /oss /oss/article/you-asked/how-can-melatonin-hormone-be-sold-without-prescription <p><span>Melatonin is indeed a hormone that is produced by the pineal gland in the brain, mostly during the night with its secretion being impaired by exposure to bright light. It has appropriately been termed the “Dracula hormone” and seems to be related to the circadian (from “circa” around and “dian” day) cycle of our body.</span></p> Wed, 18 Apr 2018 16:32:27 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 7021 at /oss /oss/article/drugs-health-you-asked/you-asked-zenbev-effective-sleep-aid <p>A lot of people have asked about Zenbev, the "organic sleeping aid" available in health food stores. This combination of pumpkin seed extract and dextrose with some rice starch and guar gum was developed by psychiatrist Craig Hudson based on the assumption that the tryptophan-rich protein in the seed releases tryptophan upon digestion, and that insulin secretion in response to the dextrose component leads to other amino acids being absorbed into muscle cells leaving trytophan free to cross the blood brain barrier.</p> Mon, 25 Nov 2013 02:04:12 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 2036 at /oss /oss/article/health/when-it-comes-insomnia-theres-no-shortage-advice <p><span>O sleep! O gentle sleep! / </span><span>Nature’s soft nurse, how have I frightened thee, / </span><span>That thou no more wilt weigh my eyelids down / </span><span>And steep my senses in forgetfulness?</span></p> Sun, 13 Apr 2014 14:31:53 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 2127 at /oss /oss/article/controversial-science-environment-news-quackery/sizing-most-fashionable-address-new-york-city <p>The most fashionable address in New York is no longer Central Park West. It is 66 East 11th St., in Greenwich Village. The building doesn’t look like much from the outside; it was once a factory, then a parking garage. Now totally remodelled on the inside, it has been dubbed as “wellness real estate,” with a focus on the environment and the health of its residents.</p> Wed, 30 Jul 2014 22:40:27 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 2175 at /oss /oss/article/food-health-quirky-science/chewing-chewpods <p>The dietary supplement market is huge, so it is little surprise that many companies try to get in on the game by torturing data until it succumbs to their desires. An estimated 40 billion dollars are spent each year in North America on vitamins, minerals, herbal products and various esoteric fruit and animal extracts that purport to keep our bodies running smoothly in face of an avalanche of “toxic chemicals” unleashed by Big Pharma, Big Food, Big Agro and Big Beauty.</p> Mon, 07 Sep 2015 11:10:13 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 2282 at /oss /oss/article/health-quackery-you-asked/what-melatonin <p>Melatonin is certainly an interesting substance. It began to pique the curiosity of researchers in the 1950s when they discovered that production of this hormone by the pineal gland in the brain declined with age. In spite of the fact that a wealth of information has been gathered about melatonin since that time, no consensus about its potential use as a dietary supplement has emerged. <span>There is certainly no shortage of claims made on behalf of this compound.</span></p> Tue, 06 Nov 2012 18:17:18 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 1766 at /oss