Melatonin News and Research

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Melatonin, also known chemically as N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, is a naturally occurring compound found in animals, plants, and microbes. In animals, circulating levels of the hormone melatonin vary in a daily cycle, thereby allowing the entrainment of the circadian rhythms of several biological functions.

Natural daylight during office hours improves glucose stability in type 2 diabetes

Natural daylight exposure during office hours improves glucose control and boosts fat oxidation in individuals with type 2 diabetes, enhancing metabolic health.

8 Jan 2026

Study shows beneficial impact of natural light on people with type 2 diabetes

Metabolic diseases have reached epidemic proportions in our society, driven by a sedentary lifestyle coupled with circadian misalignment - a desynchrony between our intrinsic biological clocks and environmental signals.

7 Jan 2026

Ancient animals reveal sleep’s original role in maintaining brain health

A groundbreaking new study from Bar-Ilan University shows that one of sleep's core functions originated hundreds of millions of years ago in jellyfish and sea anemones, among the earliest creatures with nervous systems.

6 Jan 2026

New tear gland organoids shed light on the biology of dry eye disease

An estimated 5-15% of people have problems with dry eyes, with symptoms including eye redness, stinging, or burning sensation, and eye fatigue. Dry eye disease (DED) occurs when the eyes' tear glands produce insufficient or poor-quality tears which can be due to allergy or autoimmune disease, hormonal changes, aging, etc.

18 Dec 2025

Everyday light exposure shapes how alert and mentally sharp we feel outside the lab

This real-world study shows that recent and habitual light exposure are linked to lower subjective sleepiness and faster reaction times in daily life. Brighter and more stable daytime light patterns were associated with better performance on specific cognitive tasks, independent of sleep and time of day.

18 Dec 2025

Lysophosphatidylcholines show gene-dependent effects in early Alzheimer’s disease

A new study presents robust evidence on the role of lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs) in the onset of Alzheimer's disease. Researchers discovered that LPCs-compounds that transport a variety of healthy fatty acids to the brain-either promote Alzheimer's or protect against it, depending on a person's genetics.

17 Dec 2025

Exploring melatonin therapeutic potential in systemic lupus erythematosus

A recent review published in Current Molecular Pharmacology explores the therapeutic potential of melatonin in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a complex autoimmune disease affecting multiple organs.

12 Dec 2025

Pre-workout supplements linked to dangerously short sleep

Pre-workout supplements are associated with lower sleep duration in young Canadians, highlighting the need for guidance on timing and caffeine content.

5 Dec 2025

Blue light from tablets may not disrupt sleep in young children

The blue light that tablets emit is believed to make sleep less restful. However, an experimental study with young children was unable to confirm this assumption.

21 Nov 2025

Listening to slow-tempo music may boost sleep quality for people over 50

Music therapy significantly improves sleep quality in adults aged 50 and above, showing a moderate-to-large effect compared with control conditions. However, high heterogeneity and methodological weaknesses mean the evidence remains of very low certainty and requires confirmation in larger, standardized trials.

10 Nov 2025

New study highlights the impact of pediatric integrative medicine services

A new study conducted by University Hospitals Connor Whole Health highlights the impact of pediatric integrative medicine services.

5 Nov 2025

How gut microbes shape sleep: New review reveals microbiome clues to insomnia and apnea

A new Brain Medicine review maps how gut microbes influence sleep disorders, from insomnia and sleep apnea to circadian disruption, via bile acids, neurotransmitters, and immune pathways. The findings highlight gut-driven targets for improving sleep quality through diet, probiotics, and microbiome modulation.

5 Nov 2025

New review illuminates the intricate connections between gut microbiota and sleep regulation

A comprehensive review published today in Brain Medicine illuminates the intricate connections between gut microbiota and sleep regulation, establishing the microbiota-gut-brain axis as a critical pathway in understanding and potentially treating sleep disorders.

4 Nov 2025

How artificial light interferes with liver health

People who work against their internal clock over a long period of time increase the risk of fatty liver. The correlations are complex, but one research team in Bochum is trying to get to the bottom of the issue.

4 Nov 2025

Long-term use of melatonin supplements linked to higher risk of heart failure and death

Long-term use of melatonin supplements, often used to promote sleep and address insomnia, was associated with a higher risk of heart failure diagnosis, heart failure hospitalization and death from any cause in chronic insomnia, according to a preliminary study to be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2025.

3 Nov 2025

Aligning your body clock may protect your heart and metabolism, says AHA

A new American Heart Association scientific statement highlights how maintaining circadian health through regular sleep, light exposure, meal timing, and exercise may reduce cardiometabolic disease risk. Disrupting these daily rhythms can impair glucose regulation, blood pressure, and cardiovascular function.

29 Oct 2025

Circadian rhythm disruptions may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease

As modern lifestyles increasingly challenge the body's natural circadian rhythm, the American Heart Association is spotlighting the potential health consequences of regular disruptions to our body's internal clock with a new scientific statement published today in its flagship journal Circulation.

28 Oct 2025

Study finds bright nights raise risk for stroke and heart failure in adults over 40

A large UK Biobank study found that higher night-time light exposure is linked to significantly greater risks of coronary artery disease, stroke, heart failure, and other cardiovascular conditions. The findings suggest maintaining darker nights and adequate daytime light could support heart health.

26 Oct 2025

Night shift work may raise risk of irritable bowel syndrome

The study indicates that night shift work increases irritable bowel syndrome risk, particularly among those with obesity, due to circadian rhythm disturbances.

22 Oct 2025

How breast milk changes from day to night and why timing matters

Breast milk's hormonal and microbial variations throughout the day may affect infant development, emphasizing the need for synchronized feeding practices.

8 Sep 2025