The Light and Dark Side of Melatonin

There are pros and cons to supplementing with melatonin; here’s what you should consider when it comes to this hormone

By Debbie L. Miller

August 14, 2023

“Short-term melatonin use is generally safe in adults, but there is less known about long-term use,” says Abigail Strang, MD, sleep medicine doctor, Wilmington, Delaware.

“Unfortunately, there has been insufficient research to confirm the long-term safety of melatonin,” says David Neubauer, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.