Melatonin, a hormone and a popular dietary supplement, is widely recognized for its effectiveness as a sleep enhancer. Despite its exemplary safety record, the surge in its usage has sparked some concerns. These worries are primarily rooted in the uncertain long-term impacts of melatonin and its extensive hormonal effects.
What Is Melatonin?
Produced in the brain’s pineal glands, melatonin plays a pivotal role in preparing your body for sleep, earning it the nicknames “sleep hormone” or “darkness hormone.” Its supplementation aids in initiating sleep, enhancing sleep quality, and extending sleep duration, albeit its efficacy might not match that of other sleep medications. Beyond sleep regulation, melatonin contributes to antioxidant defenses, blood pressure, body temperature, cortisol levels, and both sexual and immune functions. While readily available over-the-counter in countries like the United States and Australia (for individuals over 55), it remains prescription-based in many European nations and is recommended solely for older adults with sleep disorders. The growing usage of melatonin supplements underscores the importance of understanding potential side effects. [1]
