Melatonin is widely known as the hormone that helps people fall asleep, but scientists are discovering that it may have other important effects in the body.
A new review of clinical studies suggests that melatonin may also help reduce long-term muscle and joint pain, although the benefits appear to be modest. The research brings together evidence from many previous studies to provide a clearer picture of what this popular supplement can and cannot do.
Melatonin is naturally produced by the pineal gland in the brain, mainly after dark. It helps control the body’s internal clock, telling us when it is time to sleep and wake up. Because of this role, melatonin is commonly used to treat insomnia, jet lag, and other sleep-related problems in many parts of the world.
Scientists have become interested in melatonin because sleep and pain are closely connected. Poor sleep can make pain feel more intense, while ongoing pain often makes it difficult to get enough rest.
Researchers also believe melatonin may influence pain directly by reducing inflammation, calming overactive nerves, protecting cells from damage caused by oxidative stress, and changing how pain signals travel through the brain and spinal cord.
The new analysis combined the results of 23 clinical trials involving more than 2,000 participants. Some studies focused on people living with chronic muscle and joint pain, while others examined patients recovering from surgery. By combining the findings, the researchers hoped to better understand the overall effects of melatonin.
For people with long-lasting muscle and joint pain, the results were encouraging but not dramatic. On average, pain scores fell by about nine points on a 100-point scale. Sleep quality also improved, suggesting melatonin may offer extra benefits for people whose pain and poor sleep affect each other.
The picture was very different for pain after surgery. In those studies, melatonin had little or no meaningful effect on pain relief or sleep. Any improvements were too small for most patients to notice during recovery.
The review also highlighted important unanswered questions. The studies used daily doses ranging from 1 milligram to 10 milligrams, making it impossible to identify the ideal amount. Some evidence suggested longer treatment might produce better results, but more research is needed to confirm this.
Melatonin is generally considered safe for short-term use, but it is not completely free of side effects. Some people experience daytime drowsiness, headaches, dizziness, or nausea. People with liver disease, kidney disease, or autoimmune disorders should seek medical advice before taking it.
Regulations also differ around the world. In the United States, melatonin is widely available as a dietary supplement, while in the United Kingdom it is available only by prescription for specific sleep problems. These differences reflect the ongoing debate about how melatonin should be used in medical care.
In review, this analysis suggests melatonin may become a useful addition to existing treatments for chronic muscle and joint pain rather than a replacement for them. The improvements were relatively small, and the current evidence does not support its routine use for pain after surgery.
Larger, carefully designed clinical trials will be needed to determine which patients benefit most, what dose works best, and how long treatment should continue.
If you care about sleep, please read studies about herb that could help you sleep well at night, and these drugs could lower severity of sleep apnea by one third.
For more health information, please see recent studies that coffee boosts your physical activity, cuts sleep, affects heartbeat, and results showing how to deal with “COVID-somnia” and sleep well at night.
Source: The Conversation.
