Recent research into the widely-used sleeping aid, melatonin, has raised significant concerns among scientists regarding its long-term safety. An analysis involving over 130,000 adults suffering from insomnia has revealed alarming findings about individuals who have been prescribed melatonin for more than a year. This analysis, which has not yet undergone peer review, indicates that long-term users of melatonin face an 89% increased risk of heart failure over a five-year period, along with being twice as likely to die from any cause compared to those who do not use melatonin.
Melatonin, the fourth most popular natural supplement in the United States, is often considered safe and well-tolerated for short-term use, typically ranging from 1 to 2 months. However, experts point out that there is a significant lack of research on the effects of melatonin beyond this timeframe. Given the supplement's growing popularity, researchers emphasize the need for further investigation into its long-term safety profile.
The new research was unveiled at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions, where medical researcher Ekenedilichukwu Nnadi from SUNY Downstate/Kings County Primary Care in New York expressed concerns about the implications of these findings. "If our study is confirmed, this could affect how doctors counsel patients about sleep aids," stated Nnadi. Melatonin works by mimicking a hormone naturally produced by the brain, helping regulate the body’s internal clock, making it easier for some individuals to fall and stay asleep.
In the United States and many other countries, melatonin supplements are available over the counter, allowing individuals to use them without medical supervision regarding dosage or duration. While some studies suggest that long-term use may be safe, comprehensive research on the potential risks is lacking. The recent analysis examined electronic health records from adults in both the US and the UK, where melatonin is only available via prescription.
Among the findings, a secondary analysis highlighted that individuals taking melatonin for over a year were nearly 3.5 times more likely to experience hospitalization due to heart failure compared to those not taking the supplement. Additionally, the risk of dying from any cause increased from 4.3% to 7.8% between the two groups. These findings are concerning, but researchers urge caution in interpretation due to significant methodological limitations.
The study's methodology has been criticized for relying on prescription records to assess melatonin usage, without directly surveying participants about their supplement intake. This approach raises questions about the accuracy of the control group, which may have included individuals in the US who were using melatonin without a prescription. Carlos Egea, President of the Spanish Federation of Sleep Medicine Societies, acknowledged this limitation but emphasized the seriousness of the study's associations. He argues that these findings challenge the notion of melatonin as a harmless chronic therapy and underscore the need for more rigorous, prospective trials.
Even in the short term, melatonin can pose risks that many users might not be aware of. Recent reports of non-fatal overdoses among children in Australia have sparked concerns regarding the safety of melatonin for certain age groups. While melatonin is derived from a natural hormone, it is crucial to recognize that it is not without risks.
The emerging research on long-term melatonin use highlights a critical need for more comprehensive studies to better understand its safety profile. As melatonin remains a popular choice for sleep aid among adults, both healthcare providers and consumers should approach its use with caution and stay informed about potential risks.
