Melatonin

Sleep & calm · Dietary supplement (U.S.) · sleep hormone · Source checked October 5, 2026 · Not reviewed by a medical professional

Moderate human evidence

Across 19 placebo-controlled trials, melatonin helped people with primary sleep disorders fall asleep a few minutes faster and sleep slightly longer. The effects were real but modest.

Featured study

Meta-analysis: melatonin for the treatment of primary sleep disorders ↗
PloS one · 2013 · PMID 23691095

Who was studied: 1,683 children and adults diagnosed with primary sleep disorders, across 19 randomized placebo-controlled trials.
How: Meta-analysis with meta-regression of trial length and dose.
What it found: Melatonin shortened the time to fall asleep by about 7 minutes, increased total sleep by about 8 minutes, and modestly improved sleep quality. Effects did not fade with continued use.
Limits: The benefits are small compared with other insomnia treatments, and trials differed widely in products and populations. Supplement melatonin content can differ from the label.

Safety & what remains unknown

Melatonin commonly causes next-day drowsiness, headache or dizziness. It can interact with blood thinners, sedatives and some other medicines; pregnant people and parents considering it for children should talk to a clinician.

Talk to a clinician before starting a supplement, especially if you are pregnant, take prescription medicines or have a medical condition.

Where to find it

Search results and listings are not quality-checked or endorsed by PepsRadar. Look for third-party testing (for example USP or NSF marks) and check with a clinician about interactions.

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