Studies
Explore research connecting ingredients and health goals.
587 ingredient–goal connections
Sleep SupportandMelatonin
181published studies
Melatonin has evidence for Sleep Support, but its effects are usually modest and depend on the underlying problem. Research supports earlier sleep onset in delayed sleep timing and benefits in some children with neurodevelopmental conditions. Prolonged-release formulations also improve sleep in selected older adults with insomnia. These findings do not imply equal benefit across all ages or products.
Evidence for adult chronic insomnia is mixed, with some reviews and trials finding little or no improvement. Nighttime awakenings and objective sleep measurements respond less consistently than perceived sleep quality. Results after surgery also vary, illustrating why benefits in a particular setting cannot be generalized to every sleep disturbance.
Controlled trials generally report tolerability similar to placebo, although headaches or lingering sedation can occur. Observational research in students links ongoing use with worsening sleep and depressive symptoms, but cannot show that Melatonin caused those changes. Studies of naturally occurring Melatonin rhythms likewise describe biological associations rather than proving either benefit or harm from supplements.
181 linked studies · 27 sampled for detail · Sep 27, 2026
Study types
- Narrative review63
- Randomized trial50
- Meta-analysis27
- Systematic review11
- Cohort study5
- Single-arm trial5
- Case-control study4
- Guideline / consensus4
- Cross-sectional study3
- Observational study3
- Clinical trial2
- Non-randomized trial2
- Scoping review2
Published by year
- 54Earlier
- 32010
- 22011
- 32012
- 62013
- 22014
- 42015
- 32016
- 42017
- 42018
- 82019
- 42020
- 132021
- 182022
- 112023
- 122024
- 112025
- 192026
Findings over time
Numbers above bars show study counts. Earlier groups years before 2010.
202619 studies
- Supportive13(68.4%)
- Mixed4(21.1%)
- No effect1(5.3%)
- Adverse1(5.3%)
- Unclassified0(0%)
Population over time
Reported participants by publication year. Select a year to see the total and reporting coverage.
— Participant count not reported. Earlier groups years before 2010.
20267,082 reported participants
Counts reported by 16 of 19 studies. 3 without a reported count.
Totals sum reported counts across studies and reviews; participants may overlap between sources.
Showing 5 top-ranked studies for Melatonin and Sleep Support.
Top studies
Melatonin · Sleep SupportHighest ranked first- Meta-analysis: melatonin for the treatment of primary sleep disorders.SupportiveView source for Meta-analysis: melatonin for the treatment of primary sleep disorders. (opens in a new tab)
PloS one
Finding Compared with placebo, melatonin reduced sleep latency by 7.06 minutes and increased total sleep time by 8.25 minutes, with statistically significant estimates.
- Melatonin treatment for age-related insomnia.SupportiveView source for Melatonin treatment for age-related insomnia. (opens in a new tab)
The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism
Finding In younger people, daytime oral melatonin doses reaching nocturnal plasma levels can accelerate sleep onset.
- The Effectiveness of Melatonin for Sleep Disturbances in Parkinson' Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.SupportiveView source for The Effectiveness of Melatonin for Sleep Disturbances in Parkinson' Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. (opens in a new tab)
Journal of sleep research
Finding Across seven meta-analyzed studies of 409 PD patients, melatonin improved PSQI sleep quality and ESS insomnia-related scores with the reported statistically significant mean differences.
- Nightly treatment of primary insomnia with prolonged release melatonin for 6 months: a randomized placebo controlled trial on age and endogenous melatonin as predictors of efficacy and safety.SupportiveView source for Nightly treatment of primary insomnia with prolonged release melatonin for 6 months: a randomized placebo controlled trial on age and endogenous melatonin as predictors of efficacy and safety. (opens in a new tab)
BMC medicine
Finding Prolonged-release melatonin reduced sleep latency in elderly patients regardless of baseline melatonin level.
- Effects of exogenous melatonin on sleep: a meta-analysis.SupportiveView source for Effects of exogenous melatonin on sleep: a meta-analysis. (opens in a new tab)
Sleep medicine reviews
Finding Melatonin reduced sleep-onset latency by 4.0 minutes, increased sleep efficiency by 2.2%, and increased sleep duration by 12.8 minutes.
Counts reflect published studies in our database, not the strength of a benefit. A study may appear in more than one connection.