Physiology
Melatonin
A hormone produced by the pineal gland that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Secretion increases in darkness, signaling nighttime to the body.
Biological Context
Melatonin levels rise in evening and fall at dawn, synchronizing circadian rhythms with the light-dark cycle. It's suppressed by blue light exposure. Beyond sleep, melatonin affects seasonal timing in many animals (reproduction, hibernation, migration). It's also an antioxidant.
Business Application
Organizational melatonin: signals that wind down activity—end-of-day routines, quarterly close procedures, seasonal slowdowns. Organizations need rest cycles just as organisms do.