Why Is Melatonin No Longer Recommended? Uncovering the Truth

The Rise and Fall of Melatonin

Well, it wasn’t too long ago that melatonin seemed like a miracle supplement for those struggling with sleep. I’ve tried it myself in the past—on some nights when the insomnia felt unbearable. Just a small pill, and bam, I was out like a light. But recently, I started hearing more and more people saying, “Melatonin isn’t as good as we thought.” So, what happened? Why is melatonin no longer recommended for sleep? Let's dig into it.

The Popularity of Melatonin

Honestly, melatonin became a go-to for so many people dealing with jet lag, insomnia, or even just general sleep problems. It felt like a natural solution compared to the harshness of sleeping pills. The idea was simple: melatonin is a hormone that your body naturally produces when it's time to sleep, so why not take a little extra to help reset your internal clock?

The Side Effects You Didn’t Expect

Okay, here's where things get tricky. I thought melatonin was harmless, but after reading up and hearing some stories, I started second-guessing. While many people do get short-term relief, it turns out that melatonin isn’t as "harmless" as we once believed.

Hormonal Imbalance

One of the biggest red flags I stumbled upon was how melatonin affects the body’s natural hormone production. You see, melatonin isn’t just a sleep hormone. It interacts with other important hormones in your body, including estrogen and testosterone. Long-term use can disrupt the balance and potentially mess with fertility or sexual function. Not exactly the kind of side effects you’d expect from a "natural" sleep aid, huh?

Daytime Drowsiness

This one hit me hard. I remember feeling groggy and barely functional the next day after using melatonin for a week straight. Sure, it got me to sleep, but I paid for it in the morning. And apparently, I wasn’t alone. Many people experience this lingering tiredness, which can affect productivity and overall mood. It’s like you’re sleepwalking through the day, which is definitely not ideal.

The Effectiveness Question

You might be wondering, “So if melatonin helps me sleep, why shouldn’t I just keep using it?” Well, here's the thing: melatonin isn't a cure for insomnia or sleep problems; it’s more of a temporary fix. When you rely on it too much, your body might not respond to it as effectively.

Tolerance Buildup

Melatonin works by signaling to your brain that it’s time to sleep. But over time, your body can build a tolerance to it. What that means is that your sleep quality might not improve in the long run, and you may find yourself needing higher doses just to get the same effect. That's when it gets problematic—because now you're dealing with higher doses of a hormone that could be messing with other aspects of your health.

Dependence vs. Habit

Honestly, I thought it was all in my head when I started feeling like I needed melatonin to fall asleep. It wasn’t until a conversation with my friend Carla—who had the same issue—that I realized something. She mentioned that while melatonin didn’t make her "addicted," it created a psychological habit where she thought she needed it to sleep, even if it wasn’t really necessary anymore.

The Bigger Picture: Is Melatonin Safe for Everyone?

I hate to break it to you, but melatonin isn’t for everyone. It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, and it might do more harm than good in certain cases. In fact, some people might experience adverse reactions that others don’t, making it even more important to consult with a healthcare provider before starting the supplement.

Potential Interactions with Medications

This is where it gets a bit technical, but bear with me. Melatonin can interact with other medications, especially those related to blood pressure, diabetes, or blood clotting. For example, if you're on blood thinners, melatonin can potentially interfere with your medication’s effectiveness. Definitely not something you want to overlook.

Not a Long-Term Solution for Sleep Disorders

If you’re dealing with chronic insomnia, relying on melatonin isn’t going to fix the root cause. It may temporarily adjust your sleep cycle, but it doesn’t address what’s causing your sleep problems in the first place. That’s why doctors are moving away from recommending it as a long-term solution.

So, What Should You Do Instead?

Honestly, there are better ways to address sleep issues without relying on a quick fix. It’s not about giving up melatonin completely (I mean, I still keep it around for those odd nights where I really need it), but we need to be mindful of how we use it.

Focus on Healthy Sleep Habits

Simple changes in your routine can make a huge difference. Creating a relaxing bedtime ritual, turning off screens an hour before bed, and keeping your room cool and dark can all help your body naturally wind down. This approach gets to the root of the problem, unlike melatonin, which just masks it.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)

If you're serious about tackling long-term sleep issues, I’d highly recommend looking into CBT-I. This form of therapy targets the underlying thoughts and behaviors contributing to insomnia. It’s been proven to be more effective in the long run than relying on supplements.

Final Thoughts: Is Melatonin Still Worth It?

So, after diving into all of this, I have to say—it’s not that melatonin is outright “bad,” but we’ve all got to be more cautious with it. Sure, it can help you sleep, but it’s not a miracle worker. And if you’re using it often, it might be time to consider other options, especially since the risks outweigh the benefits for some people.

Honestly, I was a bit disappointed at first—like, why does something so easy to get have to come with so many downsides? But at least now I understand the bigger picture, and I think you should too. So, next time you're reaching for that bottle, maybe ask yourself: is this the best option, or just a temporary fix?

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.