Tag

Melatonin

All articles tagged with #melatonin

Harvard-backed finding: charging a phone at night can throw off sleep and aging signals
health27 days 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
health1 month 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 The results show association, not causation, and are based on medical records; they are preliminary and not yet peer-reviewed, prompting calls for prospective trials to clarify safety.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
health1 month 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
lifestyle2 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?
health2 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.

Tart Cherries Could Be Your Natural Sleep Aid
health2 months ago

Tart Cherries Could Be Your Natural Sleep Aid

Sleep doctors name tart cherries as the top food to help you fall asleep faster, noting they are a natural melatonin source with anti-inflammatory benefits; a 2025 review found tart cherries can improve sleep duration and efficiency, with options like tart cherry juice, frozen/dried cherries, or supplements; for best results, avoid eating for 3–4 hours before bed and consult healthcare providers about supplements, especially during pregnancy or for kids.

Choosing Sleep Aids: Magnesium or Melatonin Based on Your Sleep Problem
health2 months ago

Choosing Sleep Aids: Magnesium or Melatonin Based on Your Sleep Problem

The piece compares magnesium and melatonin for sleep, noting melatonin mainly shifts the circadian clock and helps with timing issues (e.g., jet lag, shift work), while magnesium supports relaxation and may alleviate stress- or muscle-related sleep problems; evidence is mixed, with magnesium formulations like L-threonate and glycinate showing potential benefits in some studies, but neither is a universal cure. For chronic insomnia, CBT-I is often more effective. If you supplement, use short-term melatonin for circadian realignment and choose high-purity products with proper dosing, while also prioritizing good sleep hygiene and consulting a clinician if you take other medications.

Science-backed natural sleep boosters you can try tonight
health2 months ago

Science-backed natural sleep boosters you can try tonight

Sleep experts outline seven science-backed natural aids—melatonin, tart cherry juice, magnesium, chamomile, 5-HTP, lavender, and valerian root—that may help you fall asleep faster and sleep more deeply. They stress that results vary, note possible daytime drowsiness and drug interactions, and urge talking to a physician before starting supplements. If sleep issues persist, consider non-pill options like cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) or a professional evaluation.

A steady, nutrient-rich diet could improve sleep over time
health2 months ago

A steady, nutrient-rich diet could improve sleep over time

Emerging research suggests that consistent dietary patterns built around lean proteins, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, dairy, nuts and seeds can improve sleep duration and quality over time. Foods provide melatonin and tryptophan, and plant-forward patterns like the Mediterranean or DASH diets are linked to lower insomnia risk; timing matters, as late meals and sugary or alcoholic drinks can disrupt sleep.

Reset Your Sleep Clock After the Spring Time Change, Says Expert
health2 months ago

Reset Your Sleep Clock After the Spring Time Change, Says Expert

Springing forward disrupts the circadian rhythm and melatonin timing, often causing grogginess, mood changes and fatigue—especially for sleep-deprived people, early risers, kids, and shift workers. Most adjust in several days to about a week by keeping consistent bed/wake times and getting morning light to reset the clock. Practical steps include limiting evening light and screens, maintaining a calming pre-sleep routine, regular meals with modest caffeine, and earlier outdoor exercise. If sleep problems persist for more than a couple weeks, consult a healthcare provider, as chronic sleep issues can affect health.

Sleep smarter: 3 science-backed ways to fall asleep faster without melatonin
wellness2 months ago

Sleep smarter: 3 science-backed ways to fall asleep faster without melatonin

A sleep doctor explains that melatonin regulates timing, not sleep drive, so most people don’t need supplements. He offers three science-backed alternatives to falling asleep faster: 1) fix nutritional deficiencies (magnesium, vitamin D, iron) through a whole-food diet (including a banana-tea trick); 2) learn your chronotype and align your schedule with your biology; 3) optimize your sleep environment with a cool room and comfortable bedding. Melatonin may help in certain cases like jet lag, shift work, or true deficiency, but supplement quality is often unreliable and long-term use may carry risks, so consult a clinician before using it.

Melatonin's Long-Term Use May Elevate Heart-Failure Risk, New Analysis Warns
health2 months ago

Melatonin's Long-Term Use May Elevate Heart-Failure Risk, New Analysis Warns

A large, not-yet-peer-reviewed analysis suggests adults with insomnia who used melatonin for more than a year had an 89% higher risk of heart failure over five years and about double the risk of death from any cause versus non-users, with a secondary look showing 3.5× higher hospitalization for heart failure. The study is observational and based on prescription records, so it cannot establish causation and has notable limitations; it does not change current guidance. Melatonin is typically safe for short-term use, but longer-term safety data are limited and warrant prospective trials.