Is Taking Melatonin Every Night Bad For You?
"Is taking melatonin every night bad?" As a sleep doctor, I hear this question often—and the answer might surprise you. Chronic melatonin use isn't completely harmless; it could indicate a deeper sleep disorder and even create new problems by merely masking your underlying symptoms.
Why is it bad to take melatonin every night? Three big reasons.
Taking melatonin nightly might feel like a quick solution, but there are important risks:
Dependence: Long-term use can reduce your body’s natural melatonin production, worsening your sleep issues over time.
Hormonal Concerns: Regular use may disrupt hormonal balance, potentially impacting reproductive health.
Mental Health Effects: Chronic use may lead to anxiety, mood swings, or depressive symptoms because of sleep disturbances/insomnia.
However, beyond these health risks, there’s another big problem with melatonin due to how it’s regulated (or the lack of regulation) here in the US: you can’t be certain the amount of the active ingredient advertised on the label is accurate.
Melatonin Supplements: The Shocking Lack of Regulation Means Dosing is Unpredictable
In the U.S., melatonin is considered a dietary supplement, not subject to strict FDA regulations. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found melatonin supplement content varied from 83% less to 478% more than labeled, with 26% of supplements also containing serotonin—a potentially harmful contaminant (Erland and Saxena, 2017).
This disturbing inconsistency is why many countries, including Canada, the UK, EU, Australia, and Japan, have moved to regulate melatonin as a prescription-only medicine.
Why FDA Regulation is Crucial
Without FDA oversight, melatonin supplements present issues:
Dosage unpredictability: You can't reliably know if you're getting too little or too much.
Contamination risk: Unintended substances like serotonin could pose long-term health risks.
Many healthcare professionals (including us) are advocating for stricter regulation and better patient education.
Choosing Melatonin Supplements
If supplementation is necessary, look into products from brands like Nature Made or Thorne Research, which voluntarily undergo independent third-party testing by U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) or NSF International to ensure accuracy and purity.'
Quick Note: WakeWell does NOT receive affiliate commissions from supplement sales and we have no conflict of interest.
Conclusion: Is Taking Melatonin Every Night Bad?
Yes. And, it could indicate an undiagnosed sleep disorder that needs professional attention.
Are you truly solving your sleep problems or just temporarily masking them? At WakeWell, we focus on diagnosing and treating the real underlying issues behind your sleep problems, particularly obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) but also others like insomnia.
Find out what's really causing your sleep issues. You can book an online screening or consultation with a WakeWell doctor today and take the first step toward better sleep.
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References
Erland LAE, Saxena PK. Melatonin Natural Health Products and Supplements: Presence of Serotonin and Significant Variability of Melatonin Content. J Clin Sleep Med. 2017;13(2):275-281. doi:10.5664/jcsm.6462.