In the US, melatonin, like all dietary supplements, is largely unregulated, and it can have side effects.Īs CNN has reported, melatonin has been “linked to headaches, dizziness, nausea, stomach cramps, drowsiness, confusion or disorientation, irritability and mild anxiety, depression and tremors as well as abnormally low blood pressure.” It can also have serious drug interactions that can lead to problems such as fever, muscle rigidity or seizures. However, it is not recommended as a sleep aid for insomnia. This makes melatonin pills useful for helping the body acclimate to a different time zone or for people who have circadian rhythms that don’t line up with social norms, like extreme night owls who can’t get up in time for work. Natural melatonin production occurs in darkness and is suppressed by light. Melatonin is linked to our 24-hour circadian rhythm. To understand how melatonin supplements work (and why they often don’t), it’s important to look at how the hormone naturally functions in the human body. Using melatonin for sleep is on the rise, study says, despite potential health harms This can make it extremely hard to sleep because they feel anxious if they don’t take the supplement.Īfter we discuss their specific sleep concerns, many of my patients start to realize they have been spending a lot of money on something that isn’t solving their problem. This means the melatonin itself isn’t helping them sleep and this initial benefit typically doesn’t last over the long term.įinally, people can become psychologically dependent on taking the supplement and become afraid of what will happen to their sleep if they stop taking melatonin. Second, there is a strong placebo effect when it comes to insomnia treatment. Believing that melatonin will improve sleep can help people feel more relaxed when they get into bed and they stop trying so hard to fall asleep. I take those “yesses” with a grain of salt for a few reasons:įirst, if melatonin supplements are working, a patient shouldn’t need to see a psychologist like me for help with sleep. Sometimes they say no – but sometimes they respond with an emphatic “Yes!” Sometimes, they mention a friend who recommended a specific brand that’s supposed to be “really strong.” Then I ask them if taking melatonin has worked for them. When I ask patients why they use melatonin, many tell me they want something that is “natural” and doesn’t have side effects. Melatonin isn’t the first one and it surely won’t be the last.Īs a clinical psychologist, I treat people with chronic insomnia disorder, which is defined as poor sleep at least three nights per week for at least three months. This dramatic increase in use of melatonin reflects our inclination to try “shortcuts” to get a good night’s sleep.
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