Tag

Melatonin

All articles tagged with #melatonin

Hidden libido blockers: four supplements to watch
health10 days ago

Hidden libido blockers: four supplements to watch

A New York Post wellness piece warns that four common supplements—melatonin, saw palmetto, St. John’s wort and licorice root—may reduce libido by altering hormone levels or testosterone pathways: melatonin could affect the HPG axis at higher doses, saw palmetto may slow testosterone conversion, St. John’s wort can cause sexual side effects and interacts with other meds, and licorice root may lower testosterone. Evidence is limited, so approach dosing with caution and consult a clinician if libido is a concern.

Sleep aid or brain caution: melatonin’s murky impact on kids
health18 days ago

Sleep aid or brain caution: melatonin’s murky impact on kids

A study of 684 children suggests melatonin users have less REM sleep, a stage tied to memory, learning, and emotional development, raising questions about long-term effects since melatonin isn’t FDA-regulated and dosing varies; experts urge caution, prioritize sleep hygiene, and reserve melatonin for circadian-disorder cases with small, precisely timed doses while addressing underlying sleep problems.

Melatonin vs Magnesium: A practical sleep-help guide
health23 days ago

Melatonin vs Magnesium: A practical sleep-help guide

Both melatonin and magnesium may aid sleep but neither is a guaranteed fix for insomnia. Melatonin can help align the body’s clock for those with circadian disruption (jet lag, night shifts) at about 1–3 mg taken 2–3 hours before bed (do not exceed ~5 mg); magnesium may support mild sleep issues and relaxation, with a typical nightly dose around 250 mg, though evidence is modest. Favor dietary magnesium first, and consult a clinician about dosing and potential interactions (e.g., with beta blockers or blood thinners) or if sleep problems persist.

The Aging Body's Clock: Why Seniors Wake Up Early
wellness1 month ago

The Aging Body's Clock: Why Seniors Wake Up Early

As people age, the brain’s ability to sense time cues and respond to daily light signals declines, shifting the circadian clock earlier so older adults feel tired sooner and wake up earlier. Vision changes from aging, particularly cataracts, reduce evening light reaching the brain, making sunset feel earlier and melatonin rise earlier. Practical tweaks—bright evening light exposure, staying active, morning sunlight, and avoiding alcohol before bed—can help adjust sleep timing, and cataract surgery may improve light cues to stabilize sleep.

Melatonin May Ease Chronic Pain, Study Finds
health1 month ago

Melatonin May Ease Chronic Pain, Study Finds

A Prevention review of 23 randomized trials reports that daily melatonin (3–10 mg) provides moderate relief for chronic musculoskeletal pain and improves sleep quality, though it shows little benefit for post-operative pain; experts caution that melatonin isn’t a universal fix and advise discussing dosage and overall pain management with a clinician due to possible side effects like grogginess, headache, and nausea.

Melatonin Shows Modest Potential to Ease Chronic Muscle and Joint Pain
health1 month ago

Melatonin Shows Modest Potential to Ease Chronic Muscle and Joint Pain

A meta-analysis of 23 clinical trials involving over 2,000 participants suggests melatonin may modestly reduce chronic muscle and joint pain and improve sleep. The average pain reduction was small (about 9 points on a 100-point scale), with results weaker for post-surgical pain. Doses ranged from 1–10 mg and no optimal dose was identified; longer use might help a bit more, but evidence is limited. Melatonin should be considered as an add-on to established therapies (physiotherapy, exercise, anti-inflammatories), not a replacement. Side effects are generally mild, but those with liver/kidney conditions or autoimmune issues should consult a clinician. More large, well-designed trials are needed to confirm who may benefit.

Melatonin May Help Ease Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain
medicine1 month ago

Melatonin May Help Ease Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain

A meta-analysis of 23 randomized trials including 2,028 patients with chronic musculoskeletal conditions found melatonin reduced pain intensity by about 9 points on a 100-point scale and improved sleep quality. Doses ranged 3–10 mg (commonly 3 mg) taken at bedtime, with safety similar to placebo and mostly mild side effects like nausea, dizziness, or headaches. The researchers caution melatonin should complement—not replace—standard treatments and advise discussing use with a doctor, especially when other meds or health conditions are involved.

Long-Term Melatonin Use Linked to Higher Heart Failure Risk, Preliminary Findings
science2 months ago

Long-Term Melatonin Use Linked to Higher Heart Failure Risk, Preliminary Findings

A large, multi-country analysis of about 130,000 adults found that long-term melatonin prescriptions (>1 year) were associated with an 89% higher risk of heart failure and roughly double the odds of death over five years versus those not prescribed melatonin. The study is preliminary, not peer‑reviewed, and relies on prescription records to infer melatonin use—OTC use in the control group could bias results. While melatonin is commonly used and generally safe short‑term, these findings underscore the need for prospective trials to clarify safety and guidance for long-term use.

FDA Recalls Magnesium Glycinate Gummies Over Undeclared Melatonin
science2 months ago

FDA Recalls Magnesium Glycinate Gummies Over Undeclared Melatonin

The FDA issued a Class II recall for 13,920 bottles of Adndale magnesium glycinate gummies manufactured by Dkiru LLC (Dublin, Ireland) due to undeclared melatonin, with recalls announced June 19 (starting May 12) and tied to LOTs 190824, 240923, and 240929 (EXP 08/19/2026, 09/22/2026, 09/28/2026). The Cleveland Clinic notes excessive magnesium can cause GI symptoms, low blood pressure and other issues, with general daily allowances around 400 mg for men and 320 mg for women. Consumers should check the UPC 86000878455111 and the recalled lots, and dispose/return if affected.

Melatonin's regulatory crossroads: drug status vs. sleep supplement
health3 months ago

Melatonin's regulatory crossroads: drug status vs. sleep supplement

Melatonin, a natural sleep hormone, is treated as a dietary supplement in the U.S. with limited pre-market safety testing, while other countries regulate it as a medication. Experts warn that variable labeling, unknown long‑term safety—especially for children—and potential misuse due to perceptions of harmlessness argue for tighter oversight or even drug status. A reclassification could improve dosing clarity and safety, but proponents contend it might limit access and raise costs; meanwhile, labeling guidelines exist but aren’t mandatory, and the regulation landscape remains unsettled.

Harvard-backed finding: charging a phone at night can throw off sleep and aging signals
health3 months ago

Harvard-backed finding: charging a phone at night can throw off sleep and aging signals

A Harvard-linked view says even a dim phone light near the bed can suppress melatonin, shift circadian timing, and reduce REM and deep sleep, delaying the body’s nightly repair and nudging aging-related processes. Over time, this circadian misalignment is linked to metabolic strain and poorer cognitive recovery. Practical fixes include moving the charger out of the bedroom, enabling Do Not Disturb and minimizing notifications, using dim red-shifted or amber lighting, and maintaining a consistent day–night schedule with bright morning light and gradually dimmer evenings.

Long-Term Melatonin Use Tied to Higher Heart Failure Risk in Large Sleep-Health Study
health4 months ago

Long-Term Melatonin Use Tied to Higher Heart Failure Risk in Large Sleep-Health Study

A large international analysis of more than 130,000 adults with chronic insomnia found that long-term melatonin use (≥12 months) was associated with an 89–90% higher five-year risk of heart failure (4.6% vs 2.7%), about a 3.5-fold increase in heart-failure hospitalizations (19.0% vs 6.6%), and nearly double the risk of all-cause death (7.8% vs 4.3%). The results show association, not causation, and are based on medical records; they are preliminary and not yet peer-reviewed, prompting calls for prospective trials to clarify safety.

Camping Could Reset Your Sleep Clock and Boost Rest
health4 months ago

Camping Could Reset Your Sleep Clock and Boost Rest

A BBC Health piece reports that a weekend of camping can shift the circadian clock about two hours earlier by immersing people in natural daylight and reducing artificial light, helping align sleep with the day-night cycle and potentially lowering risks linked to late bedtimes. Based on Kenneth Wright’s research and campers’ experiences, the article notes outdoor sounds can aid sleep and offers tips for first-time campers to improve comfort while adapting to nature.

Sleep Easy: 5 Foods That May Help You Doze Off
lifestyle5 months ago

Sleep Easy: 5 Foods That May Help You Doze Off

Nutrition experts cite five foods—tart cherries, turkey, salmon, milk or yogurt, and nuts/seeds—that contain sleep-promoting nutrients like melatonin, tryptophan and magnesium. When eaten as part of a balanced diet (and ideally a light snack 1–2 hours before bed), these foods may support better rest, though no single food cures sleep issues and overall dietary patterns matter more.

Magnesium and Melatonin for Sleep: Do They Really Work Together?
health5 months ago

Magnesium and Melatonin for Sleep: Do They Really Work Together?

Magnesium may influence the body’s production of melatonin and, in some studies, a joint magnesium-melatonin supplement has helped improve sleep quality for certain people (e.g., those with sleep disturbances; some PCOS research). However, the evidence is limited and not conclusive. They’re not a guaranteed sleep fix, and timing can matter: magnesium can be taken in the morning while melatonin is often taken at night. Always consult a healthcare professional before combining supplements, be mindful of possible drug interactions, and note that these supplements are not FDA‑regulated like medications.