Melatonin
Also known as: N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine
Melatonin is a hormone involved in sleep timing. It is commonly used short-term for issues like jet lag or shifting sleep schedules. Lower doses are often discussed as sufficient. Research on long-term use is limited.
Snapshot
What this page can tell you: Commonly discussed timing, food notes, caution categories, and an honest note on how much source review this entry still needs.
What it cannot: Whether this is appropriate for you personally, or that it treats, prevents, or cures any condition. Informational only — discuss with a clinician or pharmacist.
🕒 Timing
When: Bedtime
Food: With or without food
Commonly taken 30–60 minutes before the desired sleep time.
💊 Common use range
0.5–3 mg
Higher doses are not necessarily better and may cause grogginess.
Ranges are informational, not a recommended dose. Talk to a professional about what is right for you.
🤔 Worth considering?
Evidence vs. effort: Limited evidence relative to burden
Short-term use appears safe for most people; timing matters more than dose for many, and long-term safety is not established. People with epilepsy or on blood thinners should use it under medical supervision.
A general summary, not a recommendation. Whether something fits your situation is worth discussing with a healthcare professional.
⚠️ Commonly noted interactions (supplements)
None listed.
Often about absorption or timing rather than danger — separating doses is common. This list is not exhaustive.
🧭 Caution level
Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use.
- Commonly discussed as relaxing/sedating
- Sedative / CNS-depressant interaction
- Higher caution if you take blood-pressure medication
- Serotonergic (SSRI/SNRI) interaction
- Immunosuppressant interaction
Caution level is an informational summary of commonly discussed caution categories and doses — not a safety rating, approval, or medical advice. Low caution does not mean safe for you.
🩺 Medication caution categories
- Sedatives / CNS depressants
- Blood pressure medication
- Antidepressants (SSRIs/SNRIs)
- Immunosuppressants
🏥 Surgery & procedure caution
Melatonin may add to sedation; tell your care team before procedures and anesthesia.
If you have a procedure scheduled, bring your full supplement list to your surgical and anesthesia team. Do not stop prescribed medication unless your clinician tells you to. Do not start or stop supplements based only on this app.
✅ Quality checklist
- Prefer products with third-party testing or a certificate of analysis (COA).
- Check the label for the exact form and the elemental or active amount per serving.
🧩 Commonly paired with
🔁 Alternatives
🗣️ Questions for a professional
- Is Melatonin appropriate alongside my medications and health history?
- Is there a test or check that would tell us whether I actually need it?
🔬 Evidence snapshot
May help with jet lag and may help some people fall asleep modestly sooner, but per NCCIH there is not enough strong evidence to support it for chronic insomnia, and long-term safety data are lacking.
🧪 Forms & quality
Needs evidence review — no source-reviewed information yet. We only show dose and monitoring details after they have been checked against reputable sources.
See the supplement glossary for what form names like "L-", chelated, or standardized extract mean.
📏 Dose & monitoring
No established Tolerable Upper Intake Level. NCCIH notes long-term safety information is lacking.
Evidence vs. burden: Limited evidence relative to burden
😐 Commonly reported side effects
- Grogginess, vivid dreams, headache in some people
Non-exhaustive and individual.
🔄 Cycling & breaks
Commonly used short-term or as needed rather than indefinitely.
📅 Daily use notes
Often used situationally. Not commonly recommended for children without professional guidance.
📋 Source review status
Source-reviewed — last reviewed 2026-07-02
Placeholder — verify medication interaction categories.
📚 References
- NCCIH - Melatonin: What You Need To KnowNCCIH — Verified jet-lag/insomnia evidence, lacking long-term safety data, side effects, and epilepsy/anticoagulant supervision note.
Verified against the source shown. See the research-status page for how review works.
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