But does melatonin actually do anything?

Melatonin may seem to be one of those benignly helpful substances that warrant little concern. The natural version is made in the brain, plays a role in our sleep cycles and is often taken -- by those who put faith in supplements -- to combat jet lag. But that doesn't mean you'd want your kids to take it.

An Ohio couple suspects that workers at a church day care center gave their infant daughter melatonin to make her sleep. They've sued. And they want others to join in their suit. Police are investigating the allegations. Here's the AP story.

But does this sold-over-the-counter supplement work? And could it make a kid sleepy, much less an adult?

This overview of melatonin and its uses, courtesy of the University of Maryland Medical Center, comes down soundly on the "yes" side.

It analyzes the supplement's potential uses in insomnia (of course) and beyond -- osteoporosis, menopause, depression, benzodiazepine withdrawal, various cancers, ADHD and other conditions. The research for most other conditions is preliminary, to say the least.

But a recent study, described here in a WebMD story, suggests that melatonin can be particularly useful in helping children with autism sleep more soundly.

Even so ...

The University of Maryland site has this to say about pediatric usage: "Although studies in children suggest that doses of 1 - 10 mg melatonin have little to no side effects, there is not enough information to clearly say that doses greater than 0.3 mg per day are safe in children under age 15. In fact, doses between 1 - 5 mg may cause seizures in this age group."

And here's what the even more comprehensive explainer over at Medline Plus has to say: "There is limited study of melatonin supplements in children, and safety is not established. Use of melatonin should be discussed with the child's physician and pharmacist prior to starting."

In other words, don't try this at home just yet -- or at a daycare center.

-- Tami Dennis

Credit: Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Coleman]

Melatonin is the only thing I've found that allows me to fall asleep at night without waking up groggy the next morning, and it costs a fraction of what brand name sleep aid drugs cost. You better believe it works.

[Nickuru]

I really do not see what the problem with melatonin is. This is a naturally produced hormone by the pineal gland which involves the balance of the nervous system. If in excess is is simply excreted.

[dAN]

It helped me get off xanax and is much more effective to treat anxiety and insomnia. It does however give me intense dreams i can remember after i wake up. Still, bad dreams from meletonin aren't as bad as the living nightmare of xanax use.

[elizabeth]

The research about melatonin and epilepsy is actually quite old and well-known. I have a daughter with severe, uncontrolled epilepsy who is now fifteen years old. When she was five years old or so her sleep patterns were atrocious, and melatonin helped her considerably. There is actually quite a bit of evidence and ongoing study of its EFFICACY in seizure patients as well. Many anti-epileptic medications can alter the brain and actually CAUSE seizures and the likelihood that melatonin will do this is small, indeed.

[Byron]

Nothing is safe 100% for everyone. Studies on sleep disorders, insomnia, headaches etc, etc, change every decade. Why? due to new studies using grant $$$ which has to be spent!! I have taken melatonin for some 20 years - through 2 decades of aging. About every 3-4 months I stop taking it. It is the one insomnia treatment that is both both easy to get - non prescription and basically consistent.

[Trig]

I take 6 mgs of melatonin and this dose stops
all symptoms of GERD. And there are 2 or 3
studies that have shown this benefit. And it
take this dose not 3.0 or 0.3 to do the job.
Do a Pubmed search with the search words
GERD and melatonin and then read the abstracts
and linked full articles. And note the primary
producer of melatonin is the gut not the
pineal gland. Melatonin works in part by
helping the lower esophageal sphincter to close
more tightly. Nor is this the only mechanism of
action. Do the reading.

Melatonin is vastly safer than the PPI meds which have
a list of known harms. Some of which I experienced
when taking this nasty class of meds.

Trig