The dose of melatonin in gummy supplements may be higher than stated on the packaging.
A new Journal of the American Medical Association study indicated that people who use melatonin gummies may be consuming more than expected, which could harm their health. Gummies containing the sleep aid melatonin are gaining popularity as a technique to improve sleep quality. Dr. Christina Johns, a pediatric emergency physician and senior medical advisor for PM Pediatric Care, suggests consulting with both your primary care physician and your child's treating physician before starting melatonin.
In a recent study, researchers from the University of Mississippi and Cambridge Health Alliance examined and contrasted 25 different melatonin brands. They found that 22 of the goods had 30–50% more melatonin than advertised, and that one product had 2.5 times as much as advertised. Dr. Johns says melatonin is not commonly thought of as a harmful substance, which is good news. However, it is crucial to take the exact dosage with any prescription. Over sedation and its associated lethargic, highly drowsy, and hard to rouse side effects are so observable.
Johns claims that one of the most significant findings is that melatonin is not controlled by the FDA. This means that the production, packaging, and distribution of the material are not regulated in any way. Without that kind of oversight, there is no way to guarantee the dose is correct. As Johns puts it, "that is really the concerning and attention-getting piece here because it is listed more so as a food as opposed to a medicine or a drug."
She recommended supplementing good sleep hygiene with melatonin, but said there are other options to try first for ensuring a good night's sleep: Limiting screen time in the hours before bed, avoiding coffee after 3 o'clock in the afternoon, and establishing a bedtime routine (either for yourself or your child) are all good ways to ensure a restful night's sleep.
