Trying to sleep at night when you suffer from delayed sleep phase syndrome is like trying to dance with two left feet - awkward, frustrating and darned near impossible. It's also difficult to lead a natural life when you need to sleep while the majority of your world is up and doing.

When you suffer from delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS) you can't fall asleep in the evening, and often not until it's almost time to get up, and, of course, it naturally follows that you can't wake up in the morning.

DSPS is a disorder of the circadian rhythm system. Circadian rhythm is what keeps your body in time with the rest of the world, and when it malfunctions, it messes up your sleep patterns, and your life.

A recent article from the Natural Pharmacy tells us that the hormone melatonin may be helpful for this condition. The article goes on to state that:

"In a double blind study, 22 individuals with DSPS were given either melatonin or a placebo for four weeks."

Melatonin is a natural hormone secreted by the pineal gland and does promote sleep. The pineal gland produces serotonin during daylight hours. When night comes, it produces melatonin and that triggers the signal to sleep. So secretion of melatonin is controlled by light. In people with DSPS, this natural function does not work as it should, and thus sleep and wake cycles are, at least to some extent, reversed.

The Natural Pharmacy article warns that although melatonin is sold in many places as a food supplement, it is a hormone and should be used under the supervision of a doctor.