Melatonin risks exposed: What you need to know before taking it
Photo: The dangers of melatonin (Freepik)
Melatonin has long been recognized as one of the most popular remedies for insomnia and jet lag. This hormone is naturally produced in the body and regulates the sleep-wake cycle, increasing at night and decreasing during the day. The risks of long-term melatonin use are highlighted in a Facebook post by Ukrainian professor and dietitian Oleh Shvets.
Risks of prolonged melatonin use
A recent large-scale study raises concerns about the safety of long-term melatonin use, especially for people with chronic insomnia. Researchers analyzed electronic medical records of adult patients in the U.S. and other countries over five years.
The study included adults with chronic insomnia who had been regularly taking melatonin for a year or more. They were compared with patients of the same age and health status who did not take melatonin. Patients with pre-existing heart failure or those on other sleep medications were excluded.
Results surprised even the researchers
The findings indicate:
The risk of developing heart failure over five years was nearly 90% higher in those who used melatonin for more than a year (4.6% vs. 2.7%).
For patients with two or more melatonin prescriptions, the risk increased by 82%.
The likelihood of hospitalization due to heart failure was 3.5 times higher among melatonin users (19% vs. 6.6%).
Overall mortality over five years was almost double in the melatonin group (7.8% vs. 4.3%).
Experts emphasize that despite melatonin's popularity and availability, its long-term effects are not well studied. The new data suggest that prolonged use may pose cardiovascular risks, particularly for people already experiencing sleep issues or other chronic conditions.
Specialists recommend further research to fully understand the effects of melatonin on the heart and its long-term safety. Meanwhile, doctors advise using melatonin cautiously and only after consulting a healthcare professional.
Earlier, we revealed how many pillows you need for a good night's sleep.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
