Melatonin - Medical Uses

Medical Uses

Melatonin has been studied as a potential treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, cancer, immune disorders, cardiovascular diseases, depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), circadian rhythm sleep disorders, sexual dysfunction and some forms of insomnia. Prolonged release melatonin has shown good results in treating insomnia in older adults (2007). It may ameliorate circadian misalignment and SAD. Basic research indicates that melatonin may play a significant role in modulating the effects of drugs of abuse such as cocaine. Melatonin is also a geroprotector.

A 2004 review found that melatonin significantly increased total sleep time in people suffering from sleep restriction.

For many types of sleep disorders, melatonin is not effective. A 2006 review found that although it is safe for short term use (of three months or less), there is "no evidence that melatonin is effective in treating secondary sleep disorders or sleep disorders accompanying sleep restriction, such as jet lag and shiftwork disorder."

In a 2005 study, researchers concluded that while "there is some evidence to suggest that melatonin is effective in treating delayed sleep phase syndrome, ...there is evidence to suggest that melatonin is not effective in treating most primary sleep disorders with short-term use (4 weeks or less)."