A commonly prescribed supplement to enhance sleep for those who have insomnia issues is now the talk of the town.
According to a preliminary study to be presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2025, long-term use of melatonin supplements was linked with a higher risk of heart failure diagnosis.
What is Melatonin?
It is a hormone that is naturally produced in the body by the pineal gland. It helps in the regulation of the body's sleep-wake cycle.
As per the American Heart Association, melatonin levels increase during darkness and decrease during daylight. Chemically identical synthetic versions of the hormone are often used to treat insomnia and jet lag.
How was the study conducted?
Researchers classified people who had used melatonin long-term (with long-term use defined as a year or more documented in their electronic health records) as part of the 'melatonin group'. In contrast, those who never had melatonin were classified as the 'non-melatonin group'.
Findings:
A review of 5 years of health records for more than 130,000 adults with insomnia who had used melatonin for at least a year found they were more likely to be diagnosed with heart failure.
According to the American Heart Association’s 2025 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics, heart failure occurs when the heart can’t pump enough oxygen-rich blood to the body’s organs for them to function properly.
“Melatonin supplements may not be as harmless as commonly assumed. If our study is confirmed, this could affect how doctors counsel patients about sleep aids,” said Ekenedilichukwu Nnadi, M.D., lead author of the study.
For more information, consult a health expert.