A new study has raised concerns about a widely used dietary supplement, showing a worrying association with a higher risk of heart failure.
Researchers found that long-term use of melatonin, commonly taken to aid sleep, may be linked to an increased likelihood of developing heart disease and early mortality, raising questions about the safety of prolonged use of this popular supplement.
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The study, which included over 130,000 adults across multiple countries, showed that individuals prescribed melatonin for more than a year were 89% more likely to develop heart failure over five years, and their overall risk of death increased compared to non-users. Analysis indicated that long-term melatonin users were about 3.5 times more likely to be hospitalized for heart failure, with mortality rates rising from 4.3% to 7.8%.
The findings suggest that extended use of melatonin warrants further investigation to ensure safety.
Ekinedilichuko Nadi, a researcher at the Downstate Health Care Center, SUNY, and King’s County Hospital in New York City, said: “Melatonin supplements may not be as safe as commonly thought. If our results are confirmed, this could influence how doctors advise patients on sleep.”
However, the results should be interpreted with caution, as participants’ self-reported use of melatonin was not surveyed; the study relied solely on medical records. This means the control group may have included individuals who used melatonin without a prescription.
Carlos Egia, president of the Spanish Association of Sleep Medicine, noted that the findings raise questions about melatonin as a chronic therapy and emphasize the need for future studies with control groups to clarify its safety profile.
Melatonin is considered safe for short-term use—around two months—for non-pregnant and non-lactating adults. Research on longer-term use remains limited, which is drawing increased attention as the supplement’s popularity grows.
Melatonin mimics a naturally occurring hormone in the brain that regulates the body’s biological clock, and taking it at the end of the day may help some people fall asleep.
The results were presented during the scientific sessions of the American Heart Association.
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