Long-Term Use of Melatonin Raises Concerns

New studies are raising eyebrows about the extended use of a common sleep aid. Research examining adults suffering from insomnia, still awaiting peer review, indicates that individuals taking melatonin for over a year may face increased heart health risks.

In a study of more than 130,000 adults from various countries, those on long-term melatonin prescriptions showed an 89% higher chance of heart failure over five years. Additionally, they were twice as likely to die from any cause compared to those not using the supplement.

While these findings are preliminary, they don’t alter current health guidelines. Importantly, this doesn’t definitively prove that melatonin, which is among the most popular natural supplements in the U.S., is the direct cause of these risks.

What this does indicate is a pressing need for further research to establish the safety of prolonged melatonin use.

Typically regarded as safe for short-term use, especially for those not pregnant or breastfeeding, melatonin is usually recommended for about one to two months.

Research on the supplement’s effects beyond this period has been limited, a gap some scientists think should be addressed, particularly as its popularity soars.

This recent analysis was shared at an American Heart Association event.

Medical researcher Ekenedilichukwu Nnadi from SUNY Downstate/Kings County Primary Care in New York cautioned, “Melatonin supplements may not be as harmless as commonly thought. If our study is confirmed, it may change how doctors advise patients about sleep aids.”

Melatonin supplements mimic a hormone that helps regulate the body’s internal clock, enabling some people to both fall and stay asleep more easily.

In the U.S. and several other countries, melatonin is available over the counter, which allows individuals to use it without medical supervision regarding dosage or duration.

Although some studies claim that long-term melatonin use might be safe, thorough research is still lacking.

The analysis conducted by Nnadi and colleagues involved patients in the U.S. and the UK, where melatonin requires a prescription.

Interestingly, a further examination revealed that those on melatonin for over a year were about 3.5 times more likely to be hospitalized for heart failure compared to those not on the supplement. The risk of death from any cause increased from 4.3% to 7.8% between the two groups.

Although these results are concerning, it’s crucial to approach them with caution due to notable limitations in the study’s methodology.

Participants weren’t directly questioned about their melatonin use; instead, their prescription records were analyzed. This means the control group may have included individuals in the U.S. who took melatonin without prescriptions.

Carlos Egea, President of the Spanish Federation of Sleep Medicine Societies, who did not partake in the study, acknowledged this limitation but still took the associations seriously. He emphasized that these findings challenge the notion of melatonin as a completely harmless chronic treatment and underscore the necessity for a controlled prospective trial to clarify its safety profile.

Even short-term, melatonin may carry risks that many are unaware of. For instance, a recent series of non-fatal overdoses in Australian children has sparked concerns about the supplement’s safety for specific age groups.

So, while melatonin products are based on a natural hormone, it’s evident that risks do exist.

The findings were presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions in November.