Article: Melatonin.(ALTERNATIVE MEDS UPDATE)

Sleep aids have become big business for the pharmaceutical industry. In 2006 alone, prescription drug sales for somnolence agents in the United States topped $3.6 billion. (1) Unfortunately, the majority of the most popular prescription sleep aids are in the benzodiazepine class and carry the potential for addiction and abuse. Amidst these manufactured drugs, simple melatonin is a modestly effective alternative.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Studies show that the average American gets 6.9 hours of sleep per night, shy of the seven to nine hours recommended by the National Sleep Foundation. (2) According to NIH, at least 70 million Americans suffer from some ...

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

 
 
Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!