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Should You Take Melatonin Every Night? Sleep Experts Weigh In
Prevention • • health
Key Points:
- Melatonin is a natural hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles, but production decreases with age and certain health conditions, leading many midlife adults to use melatonin supplements for sleep issues.
- Experts caution that melatonin supplements vary widely in dosage and quality, with some products containing significantly more or less than labeled, raising concerns about safety and effectiveness, especially for chronic insomnia.
- While melatonin can be helpful for adjusting sleep timing in cases like jet lag or shift work, long-term use has been linked in some studies to increased risks of heart failure and other serious health issues, though causality has not been established.
- Short-term melatonin use is generally considered safe with mild side effects such as headache and dizziness, but reliance on it can lead to psychological dependence, and good sleep hygiene should be prioritized over supplementation.
- Individuals considering melatonin should consult healthcare providers, especially pregnant or breastfeeding women, and avoid viewing melatonin as a permanent solution for sleep problems.
