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NIH RESEARCH MATTERS
March 1, 2022
Use of melatonin supplements rising among adults
At a Glance
The use of melatonin
supplements by adults in the United States more than quintupled
between 1999 and 2018.
The
findings highlight the need to better understand the
term
of melatonin
use and its ability to help with certain sleep problems
aspects of modern life, including screen
use and shift work; can confuse the body's
natural sleep and wake cycle: Up to 19% of adults
in the U.S_
report not getting enough rest or sleep
every day. Chronic lack of sleep can harm both
your mental and physical health:
A range of chemicals and hormones circulate in
the body to help control when and for how
people sleep. One such hormone, melatonin, is
produced by
gland within the brain in response
people are using melatonin supplements in the
to darkness It helps cue the body that it's time to
hope that they will help them sleep
ShutterOk /
Shutterstock
sleep
Melatonin is sold as an over-the-counter dietary supplement in a range of doses. But studies to date
long-
safety
Many
long
Many