Can Melatonin Cause Heart Palpitations?

Melatonin is a popular supplement frequently used as a sleep aid and for spurt pause forestallment. As a hormone produced naturally by the body, melatonin helps regulate the circadian meter. With its rising fashionability, further attention has turned to the safety profile and implicit side goods of supplemental melatonin. One reported side effect is heart palpitations, which refers to sensations of a rapid, fluttering heartbeat. This article reviews the available evidence to explore whether melatonin may trigger heart palpitations.

 

Understanding Melatonin 

 

Melatonin is a hormone buried in the brain by the pineal gland that helps signal to the body that it's night. Light exposure during the day inhibits melatonin product, while darkness promotes its release, thereby regulating sleep-wake cycles( 1). Melatonin supplements are commonly taken to help adjust the body's internal clock and sleep patterns in cases like jet lag or shift work. Typical oral dosages range from 0.5 mg to 5 mg daily (2).

 

Heart Palpitations: Causes and Symptoms 

 

Heart palpitations refer to a suddenly rapid or irregular heartbeat. While often harmless, palpitations can sometimes indicate underlying heart issues. Common triggers include stimulants like caffeine, medications, strenuous exercise, stress and anxiety, electrolyte imbalances, thyroid disorders, or cardiac arrhythmias (3). Most palpitations are temporary and not a medical concern. However, recurrent or prolonged episodes may require investigation or treatment, especially in those with other health conditions.

 

Reported Side Effects of Melatonin 

 

The most commonly reported side effects of melatonin include drowsiness, headache, dizziness and stomach discomfort. Studies indicate short-term melatonin use is relatively safe for most people at typical dosages. However, there are concerning individual reports of more serious adverse reactions.

 

A review of the medical literature and online forums shows occasional mentions of heart palpitations linked to supplemental melatonin. However, evidence remains limited, consisting predominantly of anecdotal reports. Controlled studies are needed to firmly establish causality.

 

Research on Melatonin and Heart Palpitations 

 

Few clinical trials have directly assessed the impact of Melatonin Powders on heart rate or rhythm disturbances. However, some insight comes from several small studies:

 

- A double-blind randomized study on 51 intensive care patients found that a daily 10 mg dose of melatonin for up to three days had no significant effect on heart rate compared to placebo (4).

 

- In 40 healthy volunteers, a single 3 mg dose of melatonin did not alter heart rate or frequency of ventricular contractions compared to placebo over a 6-hour period when monitored by electrocardiogram (5).

 

- Among 14 healthy males and females, 6 mg per day of sustained-release melatonin for one month had no adverse cardiovascular effects on heart rate, blood pressure or cardiac function compared to placebo (6).

 

While promising, larger patient studies across diverse groups are still needed before firm conclusions can be made.

 

User Experiences and Anecdotal Evidence 

 

Online forums and personal accounts point to mixed user experiences with melatonin and palpitations. Some individuals report perceiving a faster or irregular heartbeat soon after melatonin ingestion, particularly at higher doses (7). However, others refute any direct link to their palpitations. Given the subjectivity of self-reported data, controlled studies are necessary.

 

Factors like confirmation bias where users attribute pre-existing arrhythmias to a newly introduced supplement may also be at play. As the prevalence of palpitations in the general population is estimated between 5-15%, an underlying condition rather than the melatonin itself may be responsible in some cases (8). Regardless of causality, these anecdotal reports indicate further investigation is warranted.

 

Precautions and Recommendations 

 

Evidence that Melatonin Powder contributes to heart palpitations currently remains inconclusive. However, until more definitive research is available, some precautions are reasonable:

 

- Do not exceed the lowest effective dose for your needs and follow dosage guidelines on the label or from your healthcare provider. Most adults should not require doses over 5 mg daily long-term (9).

 

- Be aware that melatonin may interact with some anticoagulants, diabetes medications, antidepressants, blood pressure drugs and sedatives. Speak to your doctor about any supplementation (10).

 

- Discontinue use if bothersome side effects develop or symptoms worsen unexpectedly. Seek prompt medical care for any severe or persisting issues.

 

- People with pre-existing arrhythmias, hypertension or related medical conditions should exercise particular caution with melatonin. Consult your cardiologist or physician first in such cases.

 

Closing Remarks 

 

While heart palpitations are not a commonly reported side effect of Melatonin Powder supplementation, some users do anecdotally link its use to sensations of an irregular heartbeat. However, robust clinical evidence confirming a direct causal effect is currently lacking. Controlled studies in diverse demographic groups are still needed to clarify if melatonin truly triggers palpitations or if other factors may be responsible. Until more definitive data is available, appropriate precautions are warranted for those choosing to supplement with melatonin, especially people with underlying medical conditions. As with any new medication or supplement, consulting your healthcare provider first is always advisable.

 

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References:

1. National Institutes of Health. Melatonin. Published 2022. Accessed December 12, 2023.

2. Kennaway D, Dawson D. Safety of melatonin. Sleep Medicine Reviews. 2022;63. doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2022.101498

3. American Heart Association. What Causes Palpitations? Published 2022. Accessed December 12, 2023.

4. Bourne RS, Mills GH. Melatonin therapy to improve nocturnal sleep in critically ill patients: encouraging results from a small randomised controlled trial. Critical Care. 2008;12(2):R52.

5. Cavallo A, Ritschel WA. Pharmacokinetics of melatonin in human sexual maturation. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 1996;81(5):1882-1886.

6. Künzli R, Schaad R, Barth J et al. Systemic availability and cardiopulmonary effects of ascending doses of pineal hormone melatonin in man. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 1997;44(6):613-618.

7. Drugs.com. Melatonin side effects. Published 2023. Accessed December 12, 2023.

8. Kochi AN, Zimerman LI, Pimentel M et al. Cardiac arrhythmias: prevalence, risk factors, and management strategies. Nature Reviews Cardiology. 2022;19(9):599-617.

9. Kennaway DJ. Potential safety issues in the use of the hormone melatonin in paediatrics. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health. 2015;51(6):584-589.

10. BMC Complementary Medicine Therapies. A systematic review of melatonin drug interactions. Published 2017. Accessed December 12, 2023.