Preliminary Research Links Long-Term Melatonin Use to Increased Heart Failure Risk: What To Know
A large preliminary study found adults who took melatonin for a year or more faced significantly higher risks of heart failure and death, raising urgent questions for older adults and grandparents with young visitors at home.
What The Research Found
The study of more than 130,000 adults with chronic insomnia, presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2025, found long-term melatonin users were nearly twice as likely to develop heart failure. They were nearly 3.5 times more likely to be hospitalized for it and roughly twice as likely to die from any cause over five years.
The study has not yet been peer-reviewed and cannot prove cause and effect. A key limitation: many U.S. users who buy melatonin over the counter wouldn’t have been captured in the data, so real-world risk may differ.
Still, researchers say the findings “warrant a closer look at the prescribing and over-the-counter use of melatonin for extended duration.” If you’ve been taking melatonin nightly for months or years, a conversation with your doctor is worthwhile — especially if you have existing heart concerns.
Melatonin is Not Regulated Like You’d Expect
Many people assume melatonin meets the same safety standards as prescription medications. It does not. Melatonin is not FDA-regulated as a drug — it’s sold as a dietary supplement, meaning dosage and purity are not verified.
One study of 31 supplements found actual melatonin content varied wildly from what was labeled. The 5-milligram tablet you trust each night might contain significantly more or less than the bottle says.
A Possible Danger For Children
If you keep melatonin gummies at home, consider where they’re stored. To a young child, those gummies look and taste like candy.
Between 2012 and 2021, there was a 530% rise in calls to U.S. Poison Control Centers for pediatric melatonin ingestions, resulting in 27,795 ER visits, 4,097 hospitalizations and 2 deaths, largely from accidental overconsumption of gummies.
The AAP does not recommend routine melatonin use in healthy children and says it should only be used after discussion with a pediatrician. Melatonin is a hormone, and concerns exist about its potential impact on puberty timing and hormonal development.
The International Pediatric Sleep Association released 2025 expert consensus guidelines stating melatonin should be treated as a medication, not a supplement, and used only with medical supervision in typically developing children.
Melatonin Dependence And Tolerance
Melatonin does not cause physical dependence or withdrawal the way prescription sleep medications do, according to the Cleveland Clinic. However, psychological reliance is a documented concern — people can come to believe they cannot sleep without it. Periodic breaks, such as 5 nights on and 2 nights off, can help prevent mild tolerance buildup.
Alternatives to Discuss With Your Doctor
Several options have research behind them. Chamomile tea contains apigenin, which binds to GABA receptors producing a mild sedative effect. Magnesium glycinate supports GABA production and is found in foods like pumpkin seeds, almonds and spinach.
A Louisiana State University study found participants who drank tart cherry juice twice daily slept an average of 84 minutes longer per night. For chronic insomnia, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia as the first-line treatment, ahead of any supplement or medication.
Sleep Habits That Help First
Before reaching for any supplement, keep a consistent bedtime and wake time, even on weekends. Cut screens at least one hour before bed, since blue light suppresses natural melatonin production. Keep bedrooms cool (around 65°F), dark and quiet. Avoid caffeine after early afternoon and heavy meals close to bedtime.
Melatonin may feel harmless, but the emerging research suggests it deserves the same careful consideration you’d give any medication for yourself and for the children or grandchildren in your care.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
