Dangers of melatonin supplementation?

Melatonin supplementation comes with several concerns, as highlighted by Andrew Huberman:

1. Ineffectiveness for Sustained Sleep: Melatonin helps induce sleep but may not keep people asleep through the night. This often results in waking up and struggling to fall back asleep 1.

2. Hormonal Disruption: Melatonin can impact the reproductive hormone system, including testosterone and estrogen. It may also affect puberty in children and has been linked to adrenal output issues 2 1.

3. Dosage Inconsistencies: Studies have found significant inconsistencies in melatonin supplement dosages. Supplements often contain either much more or much less melatonin than advertised, which poses additional risks 1 3.

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     1

     Caution with Melatonin

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     2

     Melatonin Insights

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     3

     Melatonin Myths

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     4

     Melatonin's Diverse Roles

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     5

     Sleep Optimization Strategies

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     6

     Melatonin Myths Debunked

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4. Potential Long-term Effects: The long-term impact of taking supra-physiological levels of melatonin (higher than what the body naturally produces) isn't fully understood, but there are concerns about its effects on bone mass, placental development, and overall hormone regulation 4 5.

Andrew Huberman suggests considering behavioral strategies (like light exposure, temperature control, and exercise) for sleep improvement and being extremely cautious with melatonin, especially for children and long-term use 6 3.