Chronic Melatonin Use May Raise Risk of Heart Failure, Study Suggests

Researchers have found evidence linking melatonin use for a year or longer with an increased risk of heart failure. Melatonin is commonly used as a sleep aid, but its long-term side effects are still being studied as chronic use grows.

A new preliminary study indicates that taking melatonin for over a year may be associated with heart problems and a higher risk of early death. The study analyzed medical records of individuals with chronic insomnia and discovered that those prescribed melatonin for at least one year were more likely to develop heart failure and had an increased risk of death from any cause.

Study Limitations and Implications

The authors note important limitations of the study but emphasize that the findings highlight the need for more research into melatonin’s health risks. They wrote:

“These findings challenge the perception of melatonin as a benign chronic therapy and underscore the need for randomized trials to clarify its cardiovascular safety profile.”

Melatonin’s Role and Usage

Melatonin is a hormone our bodies naturally produce to regulate the sleep-wake cycle. In some countries like the U.K., synthetic melatonin is approved for treating insomnia in people over 55. In the U.S., melatonin is widely accessible as an over-the-counter supplement.

Short-term use of melatonin—for example, to combat jet lag—appears generally safe for adults, though safety in children remains unclear.

Summary

While melatonin helps regulate sleep, chronic use over a year may raise heart failure risk, warranting further investigation into its cardiovascular effects.

Gizmodo — 2025-11-03