The somnologist spoke about the risks of uncontrolled melatonin intake

Prolonged uncontrolled melatonin intake is not a direct cause of heart damage, but it can hide diseases that increase the risk of cardiovascular complications. It is especially dangerous to use a supplement instead of diagnosing chronic insomnia. Valeria Bonadykova, a leading specialist, somnologist, cardiologist and functional diagnostics specialist at the Scandinavian Health Center, told Izvestia on September 4.

According to the expert, melatonin is a hormone that regulates the internal biological clock and helps the body to enter a state of sleep. There is no evidence that it directly damages the heart muscle. At the same time, the doctor noted, prolonged self-administration of the supplement may create other health risks.

One of the problems is that melatonin is able to mask the real cause of sleep disorders. A person can take the drug for years, feel a temporary improvement and postpone contacting a specialist.

According to Bonadykova, chronic insomnia often hides obstructive sleep apnea, a condition in which breathing stops during sleep. It is associated with increased nighttime blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias and may further increase the risk of heart failure.

Another factor is the incorrect time of taking the drug. Melatonin affects circadian rhythms, so its effectiveness depends on when a person takes it. According to the expert, taking the supplement in the dead of night after waking up or in the early morning can disrupt the setting of the internal clock and affect the circadian rhythms of the body. In particular, this may affect the control of night pressure, which plays an important role in the stress on the cardiovascular system.

Dosages and the combination of melatonin with other drugs are also important. According to the doctor, supplements often contain more substances than the body produces on its own. Melatonin is processed in the liver with the participation of the same systems that are involved in the metabolism of a number of drugs. Therefore, people who take several medications at the same time may experience unpredictable effects, including daytime sleepiness or decreased blood pressure.

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At the same time, Bonadykova emphasized, the possible risks are primarily related to the uncontrolled use of the supplement, and not to the melatonin molecule itself.

According to the doctor, the increased rates of cardiovascular risks in people taking melatonin may also be explained by their initial condition. People with chronic sleep disorders are more likely to use the drug for a long time, and insomnia itself is a risk factor for hypertension and other cardiovascular problems. In addition, such patients are more likely to have concomitant conditions: excess weight, sleep apnea, anxiety disorders, smoking and regime disorders.

In addition, Bonadykova told who should be especially careful about taking melatonin. These groups include people with autoimmune diseases, pregnant and lactating women, and patients with severe liver and kidney disorders. According to the expert, children and adolescents should also not be given melatonin without a doctor's prescription.

Caution is also necessary for people who take anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents, immunosuppressants, some antidepressants and hormonal medications. In such cases, melatonin may interfere with the effects of other medications. In addition, patients with epilepsy, diabetes mellitus, a tendency to low blood pressure and other chronic diseases need specialist advice.

The doctor warned that after taking melatonin, drowsiness may persist, so it should not be used before driving a car or working with dangerous mechanisms. It is also not recommended to combine the drug with alcohol.

According to Bonadykova, melatonin is not a universal remedy for insomnia. If sleep problems persist for more than three months, accompanied by loud snoring, respiratory arrest, nighttime awakenings with lack of air, swelling, or frequent urination at night, you should consult a doctor. In such cases, it is important not only to improve sleep, but also to find the cause of the disorder, since self-administration of supplements can only delay the necessary treatment.

Bonadykova said on July 26 that sleeping with the TV on or next to a smartphone can negatively affect the quality of rest, even if a person does not wake up from the noise. Background sounds and light disrupt sleep patterns, interfere with brain recovery, and can reduce concentration the next day.