REM Sleep Amounts and Melatonin

This study investigates the cause-and-effect relationship between melatonin consumption and the amount of REM sleep obtained by an individual through a causal-comparative research design. The research aimed to determine whether melatonin significantly influences REM sleep duration. Three participants, aged 16-17, were selected for the study. Each participant was an athlete with similar extracurricular activities to minimize external variables affecting sleep patterns. To ensure accurate data collection, all participants wore sleep-tracking watches, which recorded their sleep stages, including REM sleep duration. The study followed a structured approach of a week supplemented (according to participants typical sleep regimen) and a week without nightly melatonin intake. This design allowed for direct comparison of REM sleep between conditions. Data collected over multiple nights were analyzed by a paired-Test to identify trends and potential differences in REM sleep duration between melatonin and non-melatonin nights. Factors such as individual differences in metabolism, natural sleep cycles, and external influences may have played a role in variations of the data. Although in despite of the small sample size, this study provides preliminary insights into the potential impact of melatonin on REM sleep.