Melatonin is a hormone made by a part of the brain called the pineal gland. "At night melatonin is produced to help our bodies regulate our sleep-wake cycles. The amount of it produced by our body seems to lessen as we get older. Scientists believe this may be why young people have less problem sleeping than older people. Melatonin supplements may help people whose natural sleep cycles have been disturbed, including those with jet lag, withdrawing from sleeping medications, and those with diabetes, autism, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease. Other potential uses of melatonin include the reduction of symptoms of nicotine withdrawal and the prevention of cluster headaches.