9 months ago
India Sees Surge In Melatonin Use Amid Heart Risk Concerns
Imagine your body has a natural way to know when to sleep, like a tiny internal clock.
Melatonin is a hormone that helps this clock.
Many people are having trouble sleeping because of stress, screens, and busy lives.
So, they are taking melatonin pills, often in higher doses than their body makes, thinking it's like a vitamin and totally safe.
Recently, doctors found that people who take melatonin regularly might have a much higher chance of getting heart problems, like heart failure.
It's like taking too much of something good can actually be bad.
Experts say it's better to fix our sleep habits, like going to bed at a regular time and reducing screen use, rather than relying on these pills.
They also mention that the amount of melatonin in these pills isn't always what the bottle says.
Interest and usage of melatonin supplements in India have significantly increased, with pharmacies stocking higher doses.
New research links melatonin use to an observed 89% higher risk of developing heart failure among individuals with chronic insomnia.
Many users perceive melatonin as a harmless supplement or vitamin, often taking higher, unsupervised doses without medical consultation.
Experts caution that melatonin is a hormone, and prolonged or excessive use can disrupt natural production and lead to adverse effects.
Doctors recommend addressing lifestyle factors like routine, screen time, and stress as primary solutions for sleep issues, with melatonin ideally used as a short-term aid.
- Who
- Adults in India, particularly in urban areas like Hyderabad, and individuals with chronic insomnia.
- What
- A significant surge in the use of melatonin supplements for sleep, alongside growing concerns about potential links to heart failure and other side effects.
- Where
- Across India, with specific mention of Hyderabad and its urban pockets; research originates from the American Heart Association's 2024 Scientific Sessions.
- When
- Interest and use have notably increased since around 2017-2020 and remain high, with recent research highlighting risks.
- Why
- To combat insomnia and sleep disturbances attributed to modern lifestyles, erratic work hours, stress, and constant screen exposure, with many users perceiving melatonin as a harmless supplement.
Concerns Regarding Melatonin Use
Perceived Benefits and Accessibility of Melatonin
Health Risks Associated with Melatonin
Concerns Regarding Melatonin Use
Recent research suggests an 89% higher risk of heart failure, potential for altered blood pressure, reduced clotting, and interference with heart medication with prolonged or high-dose use. Experts warn of dependence and difficulty sleeping naturally after stopping.
Perceived Benefits and Accessibility of Melatonin
Melatonin is seen by many as a harmless neuromodulator or vitamin, providing a quick fix for sleep issues caused by modern lifestyles, stress, and screen exposure.
Appropriate Dosage and Regulation
Concerns Regarding Melatonin Use
Recommended dosages are low (0.3-3 mg), with higher doses being unnecessary and discouraged due to side effects. Many commercial supplements are unregulated and may contain more or less than the stated amount, with dosages of 5-10 mg commonly sold.
Perceived Benefits and Accessibility of Melatonin
Melatonin is widely available over-the-counter in pharmacies and online, often placed near billing desks as an impulse buy, making it easily accessible to individuals struggling with sleep.
Underlying Causes of Sleep Issues
Concerns Regarding Melatonin Use
Sleep specialists emphasize that melatonin should be a short-term aid while addressing lifestyle factors like routine, light exposure, and screen time. The core solution lies in correcting lifestyle rather than relying on pills.
Perceived Benefits and Accessibility of Melatonin
For individuals with chaotic work hours and disrupted sleep cycles, melatonin is viewed as temporary support, offering a chance to sleep when natural methods fail or are insufficient.
Key facts
- Estimated Market Value
- India's sleep supplement market estimated to reach $300 million by 2025.
- Recommended Dosage (Experts)
- 0.3 to 3 mg, with some suggesting 0.5 to 2 mg for older people. NHS often prescribes 2 mg slow-release.
- Commonly Available Doses
- 3 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg
- Observed Rise in Use
- Since around 2017-2020.
- Potential Side Effects
- Altered blood pressure, reduced clotting, interference with heart medication, dependence, difficulty with natural sleep, intense dreams, grogginess.
- Heart Failure Risk (Observed Link)
- 89% higher risk among chronic insomnia patients using prescribed melatonin.
Quotes
Dr. E. Ravi Shanker
senior endocrinologist at Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills
“Yes. Reports document a marked rise in melatonin use and accidental ingestions since around 2017 to 2020. Sales went up and emergency cases followed.”
deccanchronicle.com
“Short-term use is usually safe for most adults. Some long courses have shown mild effects, yet new observational work has raised concerns about higher rates of heart failure with prolonged use.”
deccanchronicle.com
Ayush Singh
young professional in Hyderabad
“My sleep cycle is messed up; if there is any chance of sleeping, it is through supplements.”
deccanchronicle.com
“no joke”
deccanchronicle.com
Dr Kiran Madhala
co-convenor of the IMA Telangana Media Committee and faculty at Gandhi Medical College
“Any drug used in excess will have adverse effects.”
deccanchronicle.com
“Up to 1 mg is allowed, but people assume it’s a vitamin and take such high unsupervised dosage every day.”
deccanchronicle.com
T. Pallavi
a melatonin user
“Most brands sell 5 or 10 mg when studies show that less than 1 mg works.”
deccanchronicle.com
“People don’t know that many supplements here are unregulated and can have more than the stated dose.”
deccanchronicle.com
One user
Reddit user discussing melatonin use
“I would rather risk problems from melatonin than lie awake through another night.”
deccanchronicle.com
“like a baby”
deccanchronicle.com
Another user
User sharing an anecdote about Vicks ZzzQuil gummies
“thinking they were sweets”
deccanchronicle.com
Abhijeet Bose
an IT professional
“His friend Deepanita added that people often treat sleep issues with quick fixes without understanding the risks.”
deccanchronicle.com
Dr Andrew Huberman
Famous neuroscientist
“His advice is to stick to less than 1 mg, as larger doses often cause grogginess without improving sleep.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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