Long-Term Melatonin Use Linked to Increased Health Risks
Melatonin, a hormone naturally produced by the pineal gland, plays a crucial role in regulating the body’s internal clock, or circadian rhythm, and promoting healthy sleep-wake cycles. Production naturally increases as daylight fades, signaling the body to prepare for rest.
Driven by the desire to improve sleep, manny individuals turn to dietary supplements containing synthetic melatonin, hoping to boost levels and encourage sleep. While frequently enough perceived as harmless, recent research suggests caution might potentially be warranted.
Despite a 2018 report from the French National Health Security Agency (ANSES) indicating that “problems are rare and melatonin is generally considered to pose little risk,” new findings presented at the 2025 American heart Association congress paint a different picture.
Researchers at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences university in Brooklyn analyzed the medical records of over 130,000 adults experiencing insomnia over a five-year period. The analysis revealed significant differences between those who used melatonin supplements for at least one year and those who did not. Melatonin users exhibited:
* A 90% higher risk of developing heart failure over five years.
* A 3.5 times greater likelihood of hospitalization due to heart failure.
* Nearly double the risk of mortality from all causes.
Not a Long-Term Solution
“Melatonin supplements may not be as harmless as commonly assumed,” cautioned Dr. Ekenedilichukwu Nnadi, the lead author of the study.
marie-Pierre st-Onge, director of the Center of Excellence for Research on Sleep and Circadian Rhythms at Columbia University (New York), echoed this concern.”I am surprised that doctors prescribe melatonin for insomnia and that patients use it year-round, as melatonin is not currently approved for insomnia treatment in the United States.” She emphasized that, like in France, melatonin is readily available as a food supplement in the US, but chronic use should onyl occur under appropriate medical guidance.
Vital Note: This research demonstrates a correlation between melatonin use and increased cardiovascular risks – a statistical link exists between the two. Further examination is necessary to determine if a direct cause-and-effect relationship exists.
