Michael Schulson

We'd love to know more. But I think that this really is an area where, and this is something I heard again and again in interviews, where there is a sense that there is very little research, especially on long-term effects of melatonin. There's kind of two ways to break down melatonin. what the science says, right? What does the science say about whether it works?

We'd love to know more. But I think that this really is an area where, and this is something I heard again and again in interviews, where there is a sense that there is very little research, especially on long-term effects of melatonin. There's kind of two ways to break down melatonin. what the science says, right? What does the science say about whether it works?

And then what does the science say about whether it's safe? And in both cases, there's some uncertainty. In terms of what the science says about whether it works, the evidence that exists definitely suggests that, yes, it can help kids fall asleep a little bit earlier. Maybe not dramatically earlier, but something kind of on the order of around 20 minutes, maybe a little bit more on average.

And then what does the science say about whether it's safe? And in both cases, there's some uncertainty. In terms of what the science says about whether it works, the evidence that exists definitely suggests that, yes, it can help kids fall asleep a little bit earlier. Maybe not dramatically earlier, but something kind of on the order of around 20 minutes, maybe a little bit more on average.

And then what does the science say about whether it's safe? And in both cases, there's some uncertainty. In terms of what the science says about whether it works, the evidence that exists definitely suggests that, yes, it can help kids fall asleep a little bit earlier. Maybe not dramatically earlier, but something kind of on the order of around 20 minutes, maybe a little bit more on average.

And of course, that tracks with a lot of anecdotal evidence from parents who say, it works, it helps, um... There's also a question of whether children are actually better rested the next day. Again, there's actually some limited evidence. There's not really that much evidence either way showing that children are actually better rested when they have taken melatonin versus they have not.

And of course, that tracks with a lot of anecdotal evidence from parents who say, it works, it helps, um... There's also a question of whether children are actually better rested the next day. Again, there's actually some limited evidence. There's not really that much evidence either way showing that children are actually better rested when they have taken melatonin versus they have not.

And of course, that tracks with a lot of anecdotal evidence from parents who say, it works, it helps, um... There's also a question of whether children are actually better rested the next day. Again, there's actually some limited evidence. There's not really that much evidence either way showing that children are actually better rested when they have taken melatonin versus they have not.

This is, again, like such a big question to unpack, right? But there are reasons to say, okay, it's fairly safe. I want to be careful not to generalize that. But one of the big questions is about short-term and long-term side effects. Okay. In terms of short-term side effects, they could definitely be there. The ones that are typically recorded in the scientific research tend to be pretty mild.

This is, again, like such a big question to unpack, right? But there are reasons to say, okay, it's fairly safe. I want to be careful not to generalize that. But one of the big questions is about short-term and long-term side effects. Okay. In terms of short-term side effects, they could definitely be there. The ones that are typically recorded in the scientific research tend to be pretty mild.

This is, again, like such a big question to unpack, right? But there are reasons to say, okay, it's fairly safe. I want to be careful not to generalize that. But one of the big questions is about short-term and long-term side effects. Okay. In terms of short-term side effects, they could definitely be there. The ones that are typically recorded in the scientific research tend to be pretty mild.

But some researchers feel like that research hasn't been that comprehensive or rigorous and that it's possible that there are kind of immediate or short-term side effects that people just haven't really done a good job of tracking. And then in terms of the long-term effects, right?

But some researchers feel like that research hasn't been that comprehensive or rigorous and that it's possible that there are kind of immediate or short-term side effects that people just haven't really done a good job of tracking. And then in terms of the long-term effects, right?

But some researchers feel like that research hasn't been that comprehensive or rigorous and that it's possible that there are kind of immediate or short-term side effects that people just haven't really done a good job of tracking. And then in terms of the long-term effects, right?

right, of children who are taking melatonin maybe four or five or six or seven times a week for years on end, that's a really big open question. And I think some scientists look at that evidence and say, we see that it's helpful for families. We don't see obvious signs of concern. And again, it can be really helpful for people and it's worth doing.

right, of children who are taking melatonin maybe four or five or six or seven times a week for years on end, that's a really big open question. And I think some scientists look at that evidence and say, we see that it's helpful for families. We don't see obvious signs of concern. And again, it can be really helpful for people and it's worth doing.

right, of children who are taking melatonin maybe four or five or six or seven times a week for years on end, that's a really big open question. And I think some scientists look at that evidence and say, we see that it's helpful for families. We don't see obvious signs of concern. And again, it can be really helpful for people and it's worth doing.

It's worth, you know, in many cases, it's still worthwhile, right? And then I think there are a lot of researchers who look at this and say, based on that unknown, we should be cautious. And the way that it's being used right now is many things, but it's not cautious. And that's a problem.

It's worth, you know, in many cases, it's still worthwhile, right? And then I think there are a lot of researchers who look at this and say, based on that unknown, we should be cautious. And the way that it's being used right now is many things, but it's not cautious. And that's a problem.

It's worth, you know, in many cases, it's still worthwhile, right? And then I think there are a lot of researchers who look at this and say, based on that unknown, we should be cautious. And the way that it's being used right now is many things, but it's not cautious. And that's a problem.