Psychiatric readers will most benefit from the excellent chapters on the role of circadian rhythms and melatonin production in patient with mood disorders. This is the area—not, as is widely held by the public, in the treatment of primary insomnia—that currently has the strongest theoretical support for a role of melatonin in the pathophysiology and treatment of psychiatric disorders. . . each chapter is superb. . . psychiatric practitioners trying to update themselves on the scientific support for the use of melatonin in psychiatric disorders and for its appropriate use by the public will find this book an informative addition to their library.—American Journal of Psychiatry

This book provides a comprehensive update on this topic and is essential reading for all clinicians.—Doody's Health Sciences Book Review Journal

Melatonin, as noted by Dr. Shafii, has become a 'household' word although much remains unknown concerning the role of this hormone. Melatonin receptor sites are found in many organ systems, not only in the brain. This book, with chapters by leading experts in the field of sleep, reviews not only the current state-of-the-art neurobiology of the pineal gland, but also the potential role of melatonin in psychiatric disorders, sleep disorders, and eating disorders. The most fascinating section addresses the possible role of melatonin in neoplastic disorders. Some of the chapters raise controversial points but there is good documentation of where the field is and why we should pursue further investigations of this molecule. This book is a solid review of where we are in our knowledge and which new areas should be explored.—Dr. Christian Guilleminault, Stanford Health Disorders, Sleep Disorders Clinic, Stanford, California