What are the side effects of melatonin?
Mar 09, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Bai Hongmei
Introduction
The side effects of melatonin include drowsiness, impaired fertility, gastrointestinal discomfort, headache, dizziness, and immune system disorders. If you plan to take melatonin, it is recommended to start with a low dose to observe your body's response, and avoid increasing the dosage arbitrarily. At the same time, pay attention to any adverse symptoms such as allergic reactions. If abnormalities occur, discontinue use immediately and seek medical attention promptly.
Generally, melatonin is an endogenous substance commonly used to regulate sleep. Its side effects include drowsiness, impaired fertility, gastrointestinal discomfort, headache, dizziness, and immune system disorders. If this medication is required, it is recommended to follow medical advice. Detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Drowsiness
Melatonin, as a hormone that regulates sleep, may alter the body's normal circadian rhythm after administration, causing the brain to remain in a relatively inhibited state during daytime, thereby leading to drowsiness, difficulty concentrating, and affecting work and study efficiency.
2. Impaired fertility
Long-term and excessive use of melatonin may inhibit gonadotropin secretion through the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, disrupt the balance of reproductive endocrine function, and subsequently affect fertility.
3. Gastrointestinal discomfort
Melatonin may irritate gastrointestinal mucosa or affect the neural regulatory function of the gastrointestinal tract, causing abnormal gastrointestinal motility and secretion of digestive fluids. Some individuals may experience symptoms such as nausea and vomiting after taking it, possibly accompanied by mild abdominal pain, and sometimes diarrhea, leading to gastrointestinal dysfunction and affecting food digestion and nutrient absorption.
4. Headache and dizziness
Melatonin may affect the vasomotor function of cerebral blood vessels or interfere with the balance of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system, thereby causing symptoms of headache and dizziness, affecting body balance and coordination. In severe cases, it may lead to unsteadiness, increasing the risk of falls and injuries.
5. Immune system disorders
Melatonin participates in various physiological regulations in the body. Improper use may interfere with the secretion of immune regulatory factors and the normal function of immune cells, leading to immune system disorders, making the body more susceptible to pathogens such as bacteria and viruses, and increasing the risk of illness.
If you plan to take melatonin, it is recommended to start with a small dose to observe the body's response and avoid increasing the dosage arbitrarily. At the same time, pay attention to any adverse symptoms such as allergic reactions. If abnormalities occur, stop taking it immediately and seek medical attention promptly.
