Experts warn melatonin use ‘out of control’ in America

Experts warn that long-term continued use of potent melatonin can lead to a host of unknown serious health problems, including severe cognitive decline and psychiatric problems.

More than two percent of American adults regularly use melatonin, a fivefold increase over the past 20 years. The sleep aid hasn’t been used on a long enough scale to study its effects in real life, but the NIH said it fears long-term use could cause cognitive impairments such as dementia.

In a new report published in the journal JAMA, sleep and psychiatry experts warn that Americans who “self-medicate” at high doses for extended periods of time put themselves at risk for short-term side effects such as fatigue, dizziness and headaches. head and more serious long-term health consequences. especially when taken with other drugs.

Most people who take melatonin regularly consume doses above the recommended maximum of five milligrams per night, and do so regularly.

Doctors quoted in the JAMA report describe the erratic rise of the over-the-counter sleep supplement as “an insane situation out of control.”

Unlike most other countries, melatonin in the United States is not regulated by the FDA and can be purchased online and over the counter at the pharmacy. It is marketed as a natural and safe supplement to promote sleep. Its popularity is so great that statistics show that sales increased by 142% from $339 million in 2017 to $821 million in 2020.

Doctors also warn of increased use among children, and authorities have reported a number of poison line calls from parents whose children are consuming too much at once.

A CDC report released in early 2022 revealed that in the decade through 2021, poison hotlines handled 260,435 calls about children taking too much melatonin, a 530% increase. Of these, two died, five received ventilators, about 300 were placed in intensive care, and more than 4,000 were hospitalized.

Sleep experts say that many people who take the drug suffer from it.

‘They come to my door at a sleep clinic because [melatonin] That’s not the magic bullet,” says Dr. Judith Owens.

Unlike many other countries, melatonin is dispensed over the counter rather than by prescription in the United States. It is also marketed as a more natural sleep aid, as it uses an active ingredient that the human body already produces.

Experts warn that many Americans take more than the recommended maximum of 5 mg of melatonin per day, which can lead to significant cognitive problems over time. In the photo: an over-the-counter melatonin-based product at a dose of 12 mg

This has led many to believe that it is safe to use without considering the long-term consequences of overuse, unlike other prescription drugs like Tylenol, where one can understand the limits of how much one should take.

“This is somewhat worrying; Just because the product is sold over the counter does not mean that it is completely harmless and does not have significant physiological effects. Naima Covassin of the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science in JAMA, Rochester, Minnesota.

Little is known about the long-term effects of melatonin supplements. They are relatively new to the market and their widespread use has only recently been implemented in many parts of the world.

As a result, its overall effects are unknown. However, if there are any long-term issues with it, the world will learn about it in a big way.

The National Institutes of Health, among others, has linked the drug to dementia and a slightly shorter life expectancy, although there is no conclusive research to prove the condition.

There is also data on other sleeping pills that suggest that their excessive or misuse in later life can lead to significant cognitive decline or psychiatric problems.

Researchers in a Mayo Clinic study published in March wrote that the person currently taking the drug actually agrees.

“The increased use and increased therapeutic potential of exogenous melatonin in the general population provides the impetus to gain solid evidence for the long-term safety of melatonin supplementation,” they wrote.

People who think they are taking safe amounts of the drug may also be misinformed.

Because the drug is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, doses may be higher than advertised, meaning someone is taking more medication than expected.

“These estimates may raise safety concerns, especially given that the actual content of melatonin in marketed supplements can be up to 478% higher than the labeled ingredient, and the evidence to support the use of melatonin for sleep disorders is weak,” the researchers wrote. .

Because of these fears, long-term use of sleep aids is not recommended without trying other sleep therapies first.

Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, Dr. “There are no medications recommended for long-term use for insomnia in children or adults,” Jennifer Martin told JAMA.

“We always try the non-drug approaches first, and it works for most people.”

Experts note that many people understand the risks of sleeping pills and even push them towards melatonin, which is considered safe.

Another great fear is that children will get hold of them and use them in an unsafe way that can make them sick.

Since many melatonin supplements are gummy candies, a child may mistakenly think they are candy and eat large amounts.

Experts told JAMA that many parents who want their baby to get melatonin say it’s sugar. While this may make bedtime a bit of a worry, experts warn, it could lead to a dangerous misunderstanding about melatonin in their babies.

“As with any medication, don’t leave it on the counter for your baby to get in,” Owens said.

There are also concerns that he might be tired the next day. If a person took too many doses the night before and did not get enough sleep, they will likely be even more tired in the morning.

However, the drug is not completely useless. Experts say they’re great in situations where a person needs to adjust their sleep schedule quickly, such as solving jet lag after a trip.

It can also be used as an occasional sleep aid for someone who is afraid of losing their important sleep on a particular night.