ℹ️ Skipped - page is already crawled
| Filter | Status | Condition | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| HTTP status | PASS | download_http_code = 200 | HTTP 200 |
| Age cutoff | PASS | download_stamp > now() - 6 MONTH | 0.3 months ago |
| History drop | PASS | isNull(history_drop_reason) | No drop reason |
| Spam/ban | PASS | fh_dont_index != 1 AND ml_spam_score = 0 | ml_spam_score=0 |
| Canonical | PASS | meta_canonical IS NULL OR = '' OR = src_unparsed | Not set |
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URL | https://www.wral.com/story/melatonin-know-the-risks-and-benefits-of-the-sleep-supplement/18274870/ |
| Last Crawled | 2026-04-07 12:46:52 (9 days ago) |
| First Indexed | 2023-04-01 15:47:08 (3 years ago) |
| HTTP Status Code | 200 |
| Meta Title | Melatonin: Know the risks and benefits of the sleep supplement |
| Meta Description | Many people take Melatonin to help them sleep -- but, for some, the supplement can make the morning struggle even worse. |
| Meta Canonical | null |
| Boilerpipe Text | Many people take melatonin to help them sleep -- but, for some, the supplement can make the morning struggle even worse.
Melatonin is called the "hormone of darkness," because our bodies produce it naturally at bedtime. But supplements that contain extra melatonin come with risks.
Other WRAL Top Stories
Taking more than what your body produces can cause you to be sleepy and mentally or physically slow the next day.
“You should never take a dose of melatonin that’s more than 10 mg," said Lauren Friedman, a health editor with Consumer Reports. "And you should actually consider starting, if you want to try melatonin, at only about 0.2 to 0.5 mg.”
Melatonin: Know the risks and benefits of the sleep supplement
It's also important to check the labels on the bottles for quality and potency. Logos from Consumer Lab, NSF International, USP or UL provide some peace of mind that a product contains what’s on the label, according to Consumer Reports.
Melatonin can interact with blood pressure and diabetes medications, so be sure you check with your doctor before starting it. Users should also be aware of possible side effects.
“You can’t just assume it’s safe," Friedman said. "It’s not regulated in the same way as prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Some people report dizziness or nausea, or they say they’re drowsy the next day.”
For that reason, experts say you shouldn't drive the morning after using melatonin.
After all risks are considered, melatonin can help some people with certain conditions.
“[Melatonin can help] if you’re jet-lagged, if you have to work a night shift or if you’re getting older," Friedman said. "For people who are 70 or older, your body might not produce enough melatonin on its own.”
Studies showed that using melatonin for three months or less is probably OK, but there’s not enough research to know whether long-term use is safe. |
| Markdown | 5 On Your Side
# Melatonin: Know the risks and benefits of the sleep supplement
Many people take Melatonin to help them sleep -- but, for some, the supplement can make the morning struggle even worse.
Posted
2019-03-21T10:49:19+00:00
\- Updated
2019-03-21T10:52:16+00:00
Sleepy? What you need to know about melatonin
By
Monica Laliberte
, WRAL executive producer/consumer reporter
Many people take melatonin to help them sleep -- but, for some, the supplement can make the morning struggle even worse.
Melatonin is called the "hormone of darkness," because our bodies produce it naturally at bedtime. But supplements that contain extra melatonin come with risks.
Other WRAL Top Stories
Taking more than what your body produces can cause you to be sleepy and mentally or physically slow the next day.
[](https://www.wral.com/story/can-t-sleep-ask-yourself-these-six-questions/18255560/)
#### [Can't sleep? Ask yourself these six questions](https://www.wral.com/story/can-t-sleep-ask-yourself-these-six-questions/18255560/)
“You should never take a dose of melatonin that’s more than 10 mg," said Lauren Friedman, a health editor with Consumer Reports. "And you should actually consider starting, if you want to try melatonin, at only about 0.2 to 0.5 mg.”
![Melatonin: Know the risks and benefits of the sleep supplement]()
Melatonin: Know the risks and benefits of the sleep supplement
It's also important to check the labels on the bottles for quality and potency. Logos from Consumer Lab, NSF International, USP or UL provide some peace of mind that a product contains what’s on the label, according to Consumer Reports.
Melatonin can interact with blood pressure and diabetes medications, so be sure you check with your doctor before starting it. Users should also be aware of possible side effects.
“You can’t just assume it’s safe," Friedman said. "It’s not regulated in the same way as prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Some people report dizziness or nausea, or they say they’re drowsy the next day.”
For that reason, experts say you shouldn't drive the morning after using melatonin.
After all risks are considered, melatonin can help some people with certain conditions.
“\[Melatonin can help\] if you’re jet-lagged, if you have to work a night shift or if you’re getting older," Friedman said. "For people who are 70 or older, your body might not produce enough melatonin on its own.”
Studies showed that using melatonin for three months or less is probably OK, but there’s not enough research to know whether long-term use is safe.
## More On This
[ watch · 2:16](https://www.wral.com/video/sleepy-what-you-need-to-know-about-melatonin/18274881/)
#### [Sleepy? What you need to know about melatonin](https://www.wral.com/video/sleepy-what-you-need-to-know-about-melatonin/18274881/)
null MINS AGO
[ watch · 1:00](https://www.wral.com/video/too-little-sleep-may-boost-risk-of-cardiovascular-disease/18132889/)
#### [Too little sleep may boost risk of cardiovascular disease](https://www.wral.com/video/too-little-sleep-may-boost-risk-of-cardiovascular-disease/18132889/)
null MINS AGO
## related
- [melatonin](https://www.wral.com/18274871/)
- [herbal supplements](https://www.wral.com/17565967/)
- [sleep](https://www.wral.com/17383019/)
- [health](https://www.wral.com/17382239/)
- [consumer](https://www.wral.com/17382212/)
## [Videos](https://www.wral.com/video)
[ watch · 2:29](https://www.wral.com/video/raleigh-cary-durham-nc-weather-forecast/1076424/)
#### [WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast](https://www.wral.com/video/raleigh-cary-durham-nc-weather-forecast/1076424/)
58 MINS AGO
[ watch · 7:33:24](https://www.wral.com/video/artemis-ii-day-6-nasa-crew-to-break-apollo-13-distance-record/22344963/)
#### [Artemis II Day 6 \| NASA Crew to Break Apollo 13 Distance Record\!](https://www.wral.com/video/artemis-ii-day-6-nasa-crew-to-break-apollo-13-distance-record/22344963/)
20 MINS AGO
[ watch · 0:56](https://www.wral.com/video/daytime-pick-3-and-pick-4-streaming/2570000/)
#### [Daytime Pick 3 and Pick 4 Drawing](https://www.wral.com/video/daytime-pick-3-and-pick-4-streaming/2570000/)
[ watch · 1:23:45](https://www.wral.com/video/trump-talks-iran-war/22344948/)
#### [Trump talks Iran war](https://www.wral.com/video/trump-talks-iran-war/22344948/)
[ watch · 1:30:04](https://www.wral.com/video/artemis-ii-lunar-flyby-deep-space-views-from-orion/22344906/)
#### [Artemis II Lunar Flyby & Deep Space Views from Orion](https://www.wral.com/video/artemis-ii-lunar-flyby-deep-space-views-from-orion/22344906/)
## •Credits
[Jessica Patrick](https://www.wral.com/rs/bio/15970652/)
Web Editor
[Monica Laliberte](https://www.wral.com/rs/bio/1013273/)
Reporter
[Jenn Sorber Smith](https://www.wral.com/rs/bio//)
Producer
Copyright 2026 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
| Readable Markdown | Many people take melatonin to help them sleep -- but, for some, the supplement can make the morning struggle even worse.
Melatonin is called the "hormone of darkness," because our bodies produce it naturally at bedtime. But supplements that contain extra melatonin come with risks.
Other WRAL Top Stories
Taking more than what your body produces can cause you to be sleepy and mentally or physically slow the next day.
“You should never take a dose of melatonin that’s more than 10 mg," said Lauren Friedman, a health editor with Consumer Reports. "And you should actually consider starting, if you want to try melatonin, at only about 0.2 to 0.5 mg.”
Melatonin: Know the risks and benefits of the sleep supplement
It's also important to check the labels on the bottles for quality and potency. Logos from Consumer Lab, NSF International, USP or UL provide some peace of mind that a product contains what’s on the label, according to Consumer Reports.
Melatonin can interact with blood pressure and diabetes medications, so be sure you check with your doctor before starting it. Users should also be aware of possible side effects.
“You can’t just assume it’s safe," Friedman said. "It’s not regulated in the same way as prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Some people report dizziness or nausea, or they say they’re drowsy the next day.”
For that reason, experts say you shouldn't drive the morning after using melatonin.
After all risks are considered, melatonin can help some people with certain conditions.
“\[Melatonin can help\] if you’re jet-lagged, if you have to work a night shift or if you’re getting older," Friedman said. "For people who are 70 or older, your body might not produce enough melatonin on its own.”
Studies showed that using melatonin for three months or less is probably OK, but there’s not enough research to know whether long-term use is safe. |
| Shard | 48 (laksa) |
| Root Hash | 4059017259900860848 |
| Unparsed URL | com,wral!www,/story/melatonin-know-the-risks-and-benefits-of-the-sleep-supplement/18274870/ s443 |