Melatonin for IBS Pain?

People with the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) frequently get cramping pains that usually improve with improvement in bowel regularity. They also often have sleep disturbances related to their IBS. So a study done in Singapore and reported in the journal Gut is of particular interest. Forty patients with IBS and sleep disturbances were given either 3 mg of melatonin, or a matching placebo, orally at bedtime for 2 weeks.

Those patients taking melatonin had a decreased abdominal pain score. There was also an increase in the pain threshold related to distension of the rectum (reversal of a common finding in IBS). On the other hand, there was no difference in bloating, stool type or frequency, anxiety, or depression. And sleep measurements (total sleep time, time to fall asleep, arousals, and EEG changes) were not influenced by melatonin.

Some of these findings are, in fact, consistent with the known effects of melatonin; little or no effect on sleep (unless related to jet-lag type insomnia), and no effect on bowel habits. A beneficial effect on the abdominal pain associated with irregularity of intestinal motility has not been reported before. If confirmed in larger studies, this is an important finding.

The melatonin taken in this study was “oral”. It’s possible that a smaller dose (1 mg or even ½ mg) would be just as effective if taken sublingually (under the tongue), as this would be better absorbed; just make sure you buy the sublingual tablet form. . .