Can melatonin make you gain weight?
James Craig
Published Jan 22, 2026
Melatonin is not associated with weight gain. However, poor sleep is linked with weight gain. According to a study published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine, not getting enough sleep or having inconsistent sleep patterns is associated with a higher body mass index (BMI).
Can melatonin help you lose weight?
While melatonin alone will not aid in massive weight loss, it is recommended as a complementary weight loss strategy when used with increase in physical activity and a change in poor diet. Weight loss aside, melatonin directly helps regulate insulin sensitivity and acts as an anti-inflammatory.
Does melatonin increase your appetite?
Higher levels of melatonin, such as those released at night, act directly on a region of the brain called the hypothalamus to inhibit hunger. Therefore, less melatonin means an increased appetite. Another direct effect of the decrease of this hormone is a reduction of energy burning by brown fat tissue.
What are the side effects of taking melatonin at night?
The most common melatonin side effects include: Headache. Dizziness. Nausea.
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In addition, melatonin supplements can interact with various medications, including:
- Anticoagulants and anti-platelet drugs.
- Anticonvulsants.
- Contraceptive drugs.
- Diabetes medications.
- Medications that suppress the immune system (immunosuppressants)
What are the 10 side effects of melatonin?
Several unpleasant side effects may occur with regular melatonin use, these include:
- dizziness.
- stomach cramps.
- headaches.
- nausea.
- confusion or disorientation.
- depression.
- irritability.
- anxiety.
Is it OK to take melatonin every night?
Know when to stop.
If melatonin does seem to help, it's safe for most people to take nightly for one to two months. “After that, stop and see how your sleep is,” he suggests. “Be sure you're also relaxing before bed, keeping the lights low and sleeping in a cool, dark, comfortable bedroom for optimal results.”
How do I quit taking melatonin?
You should not get any harmful discontinuation or withdrawal effects if you stop taking melatonin. However, you may get your old symptoms back. If you are on a high dose, then the doctor may wish to reduce the dose slowly before stopping it completely.
Who should not take melatonin?
Because melatonin can cause daytime drowsiness, don't drive or use machinery within five hours of taking the supplement. Don't use melatonin if you have an autoimmune disease.
Is 10mg of melatonin too much?
According to Michael Grandner, director of the Sleep and Health Research Program at the University of Arizona, “melatonin is very safe if taken in normal doses,” which is anything between 0.5 mg and 5 mg.
Can melatonin cause bloating?
Our finding that melatonin is positively associated with increased bloating and GI pain contrasts with studies showing that melatonin treatment reduces pain (38,39) and administration of melatonin in postmenopausal women with IBS-C reduces bloating (55).
Does melatonin affect metabolism?
Melatonin is a powerful chronobiotic being responsible, in part, by the daily distribution of metabolic processes so that the activity/feeding phase of the day is associated with high insulin sensitivity, and the rest/fasting is synchronized to the insulin-resistant metabolic phase of the day.
Can melatonin cause loss of appetite?
Minor side effects of melatonin can include headache, nightmares, decreased appetite, and drowsiness the next day.
Does melatonin affect hormones?
Because melatonin is a hormone, it's possible that melatonin supplements could affect hormonal development, including puberty, menstrual cycles, and overproduction of the hormone prolactin, but we don't know for sure.
How much melatonin is too much?
Doses between 1 and 5 milligrams (mg) may cause seizures or other complications for young children. In adults, the standard dose used in studies ranges between 1 and 10 mg, although there isn't currently a definitive “best” dosage. It's believed doses in the 30-mg range may be harmful.
What time should I take melatonin to help me sleep?
It's recommended take melatonin 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. That's because melatonin typically starts working after 30 minutes, when levels in your blood rise. However, the best time to take melatonin is different for each person.
What happens if you take melatonin and don't go to sleep?
Taking too much melatonin can actually cause rebound insomnia —either rendering the supplement ineffective or worse, exacerbating your already sleepless nights further. You only need tiny doses of melatonin to support your natural sleep cycle.
Is melatonin good for anxiety?
Melatonin, a hormone produced by your body, has been shown to improve symptoms of anxiety. Supplementing with melatonin for anxiety can improve sleep quality, regulate circadian rhythm, and ease negative feelings associated with anxiousness. Your hormone levels play a key role in your emotional state.
Is melatonin good for Covid?
The programmed cell death coronaviruses cause, which can result in significant lung damage, is also inhibited by melatonin. Coronavirus causes inflammation in the lungs which requires inflammasome activity. Melatonin blocks these inflammasomes.
Can I take melatonin forever?
Melatonin is generally safe for short-term use, but studies on its long-term effects are limited. The side effects of melatonin are typically mild. If you take melatonin and notice that it isn't helping you fall asleep or causes unwanted side effects, stop taking it and speak with your doctor.
How many days in a row can you take melatonin?
You can use melatonin for up to 5 nights in a row.
Is melatonin a depressant?
As melatonin is used for sleep, it brings energy levels down. Weakened energy can contribute to feelings of depression. Lowering one's mood more than the individual is used to can lead to a depressive state.
How long does it take for a melatonin to kick in?
Melatonin supplements typically begin to kick in between 20 minutes and two hours after ingestion, which is why Buenaver suggests taking one to three milligrams two hours before bedtime.
How long does it take for melatonin 5 mg to kick in?
How Long Until Melatonin Works? Melatonin supplements affect each person differently. While one person may become sleepy within 1 hour of taking the supplement, others may feel tired after 10 to 15 minutes. However, melatonin is quickly absorbed by the body, so most people feel the full effect within the first hour.
Can I give my ADHD child melatonin?
A 2010 review found that melatonin may be an effective sleep aid for children with ADHD, but confirming that it is safe in the long term requires larger studies. In cases of behavioral insomnia, changes to sleep-related behaviors, such as bedtime routines, are often very effective and can create long-term improvements.