As far as melatonin goes, it's a different chemical altogether-

www.melatonin.com

"Melatonin is the all-natural nightcap. It's secreted by the pineal gland, a pea-size structure at the center of the brain, as our eyes register the fall of darkness.

"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.

Seratonin IS vital to brain function and happiness, however- here's a good site with some info.


http://www.clinical-depression.co.uk/faq/seratonin.htm


Seratonin - Responsible for Depression?

Well not exactly, it's more like seratonin is involved in depression.

Seratonin is responsible for depression in the same way that food is responsible for hunger. If you have more food, the hunger will go away, but it didn't cause it in the first place!


Personally, I feel that drugs of ANY kind should be used in moderation. Seratonin is like a cookie jar, and weed is the milk. We can sit down and enjoy cookies and milk once in a while, and it's kickASS. But if you sit and eat cookies all day every day for years, they're just not that good anymore. Use something in moderation and it'll be better, that's just me.

Peace.