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Published: November 14, 2025 02:52 PM IST
Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj, a California-based cardiologist, said that long-term melatonin use (1+ years) can increase the risk of heart failure by 90 percent within 5 years.
Melatonin is a natural hormone produced primarily by the pineal gland in your brain. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it plays a role in managing your sleep-wake cycle and circadian rhythm. While scientists still have a lot to learn about all of its effects on the human body, Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj, a cardiologist with 20 years of experience treating heart diseases, cautions about the long-term use of melatonin. Read this also Cardiac surgeons are discussing whether melatonin use is associated with an increased risk of heart failure.
Dr. Bhojraj drops truth bomb about melatonin
Dr. Bhojraj, who lives in California, United States, took to Instagram on November 14 to talk about ‘the unexpected side effects of melatonin that no one talks about’. He shared: “Do you take melatonin at night? The American Heart Association reviewed data from more than 130,000 adults and found that long-term melatonin users (1+ years) had a 90 percent higher risk of heart failure within five years.,
“Now you may be thinking: ‘Wait… isn’t melatonin natural?’ This is. But there’s also cortisol, estrogen and insulin…and when they’re out of tune, they can wreak havoc on your system, too,” the cardiologist said.
‘Most people do not have melatonin deficiency’
Dr Bhojraj cautioned that taking melatonin at night could disrupt circadian rhythms, alter hormone signaling, and reduce the body’s own melatonin production, noting that most people do not have a melatonin deficiency, but rather a sleep rhythm problem.
He explained: “Your heart, mitochondria, and cellular repair systems all depend on precise hormonal timing. Taking melatonin at night (especially over long periods of time) can: disrupt your circadian rhythm, alter natural hormone signaling, reduce your body’s ability to produce its own melatonin. Here’s the thing: Most people don’t have a melatonin deficiency. They just have sleep rhythm problems.”
If you’re using melatonin every night, click here to learn about potential long-term effects, common reactions, and when to consult a doctor for safe sleep.
Note to readers: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
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