HormonesMelatonin

Melatonin is widely used and generally perceived as a safe and effective sleep aid, though notable variations in dosing, reliance, and misuse exist across demographic groups.

In a cross-sectional study of 335 adults in Baghdad, Iraq, 83.8% of participants agreed that melatonin improved their sleep quality, 78.2% considered it safe, and 75.6% recommended it to others. The most common dose was 5 mg (33.6%), and 56.5% used melatonin as needed. Side effects were common, with drowsiness (28.8%) and headache (25.1%) reported, and only 1.5% had no side effects.

Last updated: Aug 26, 2026•0 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score32/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. ASSESSMENT OF MELATONIN USE PATTERNS, SAFETY, AND ATTITUDES TOWARD ITS USE IN ADULT POPULATION.

observational

Ahmed F · Georgian medical news (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: September to December 2025 (4 months)
Intervention: Observational assessment of melatonin use patterns, safety, and attitudes (no intervention)
Outcome: Self-reported sleep quality improvement, perceived safety, willingness to recommend, side effects, dosing patterns, reliance on melatonin
Effect Size: N/A
Population: Adults using melatonin recruited from community pharmacies in Baghdad, Iraq (mean age 28.54 ± 10.4 years, 59% female)

Result:

PubMed: 42600608

Mechanism Graph

Melatonin is a neurohormone that regulates sleep
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It is used as a dietary supplement for insomnia and sleep disorders
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Users perceive it as effective and safe, leading to widespread use
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Inappropriate use and side effects (drowsiness, headache) are reported, indicating need for education

Limitations

  • ⚠Cross-sectional design limits causal inference
  • ⚠Convenience sampling from community pharmacies may introduce selection bias
  • ⚠Reliance on self-reported data may be subject to recall bias
  • ⚠Study conducted in a single city (Baghdad) limiting generalizability

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common dose of melatonin used by adults in this study?▼

The most common dose was 5 mg, used by 33.6% of participants.

What side effects were reported with melatonin use?▼

The most common side effects were drowsiness (28.8%) and headache (25.1%), with only 1.5% reporting no side effects.

How do users perceive melatonin's effectiveness and safety?▼

83.8% agreed that melatonin improved their sleep quality, 78.2% considered it safe, and 75.6% recommended it to others.

What demographic factors were associated with melatonin use patterns?▼

Age was significantly associated with relying on melatonin for sleep, while sex was correlated with the belief that melatonin is safe. Working and educational status were correlated with willingness to recommend melatonin and reliance on it.

Products

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References

  1. 1.Ahmed F. "ASSESSMENT OF MELATONIN USE PATTERNS, SAFETY, AND ATTITUDES TOWARD ITS USE IN ADULT POPULATION.." Georgian medical news, 2026. PMID: 42600608
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.