Researchers from Sweden have found that taking medication which helps improve sleep can help reduce the risk of self-harm in young people who suffer from anxiety and depression. The study involved reviewing the data of teens who were prescribed melatonin (medicine to help them sleep) for an extended period and found that their risk of self-harm decreased significantly, especially among the girls. This information was published in a journal named The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry.
Melatonin is a special hormone that helps control when you should be sleeping and awake. In Sweden, it’s become really popular to use melatonin as medicine for kids and adolescents who have trouble sleeping, and since 2020 it can now be bought without a prescription.
Dr. Sarah Bergen, an expert at Karolinska Institutet wanted to see if there is a connection between treating sleep problems and reducing intentional self-harm in young people. This is because we already know that not getting enough sleep and depression can lead to self-harm.
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Melatonin Medication Reduces Risk of Self-Harm by Half in Depressed/Anxious Teen Girls
Researchers in Sweden discovered that over 25,500 children and teenagers aged 6-18 were taking the medication melatonin. Most of these patients had some sort of psychological disorder such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, or autism spectrum disorder. Girls were much more likely to self-harm than boys.
The researchers tried to figure out if taking melatonin medicine would put someone at a higher risk for self-harm. To do this, they compared the person’s risk of self-harm in their last unmedicated month to their risk after twelve months of treatment with melatonin. This allowed them to consider other things that might influence their results, like genetics, how severe the sleep disorder was and any mental health issues.
Taking melatonin (a type of medicine) could help teenage girls who are struggling with depression and/or anxiety, as it can reduce the risk of self-harm by about half. Before taking this medication, the risk was increasing but afterwards it decreased significantly.
Sarah Bergen says that there is an issue with youth mental health and it’s making people more likely to hurt themselves or take their own life. Our research suggests that if we give young people better sleep, it might help them from taking extreme measures like self-harm and suicide, especially among girls.
Since it was only an observation, we can’t be sure if melatonin helps reduce self-harm or not. We also checked to make sure that medications weren’t influencing the result, and they still showed similar results.
Dr Marica Leone, who was a PhD student in Sarah Bergen’s research group, says that melatonin may be the reason why self-harm rates are lower. However, it is possible that this could also be because of other psychiatric medications or psychotherapy.
A research study was published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry on March 23rd, 2023. It was done by Marica Leone and other specialists, Ralf Kuja-Halkola, Tyra Lagerberg, Johan Bjureberg, Agnieszka Butwicka, Zheng Chang, Henrik Larsson, Brian M. D’Onofrio, Amy Leval and Sarah E. Bergen. The topic of this research was Melatonin use and how it affects self-harm and unintentional injuries among/in youths with and without psychiatric disorders.
The study was partly funded by the European Union’s research and innovation program, called Horizon 2020. Marica Leone and Amy Leval are employees of Johnson & Johnson who helped with this research. Henrik Larsson also helped, but he got money from pharmaceutical companies like Shire Pharmaceuticals, Medice, Shire/Takeda Pharmaceuticals and Evolan Pharma AB. Henrik also got his travel to one conference on ADHD covered by these companies.
Reference: “Melatonin use and the risk of self-harm and unintentional injuries in youths with and without psychiatric disorders” by Marica Leone, Ralf Kuja-Halkola, Tyra Lagerberg, Johan Bjureberg, Agnieszka Butwicka, Zheng Chang, Henrik Larsson, Brian M. D’Onofrio, Amy Leval and Sarah E. Bergen, 23 March 2023, Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry.
DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13785
Frequently Asked Questions About Melatonin
Is it OK to take melatonin every night?
It is generally safe to take melatonin every night, though it is best to consult with your doctor first. Taking melatonin regularly can lead to tolerance and dependence, and side effects may occur if you take too much.
What does melatonin do?
Melatonin is a hormone that helps regulate sleep and wake cycles. It is naturally produced by the body in response to darkness and is associated with feelings of tiredness and relaxation. Melatonin can also be taken as a supplement to help people fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
What is the side effect of melatonin?
The most common side effects of melatonin include headaches, dizziness, nausea, drowsiness, and vivid dreams. Other, less common side effects may include irritability, depression, anxiety, stomach cramps, and increased blood pressure.
Who should not take melatonin?
Melatonin is generally considered safe for adults and children, but it is not recommended for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or people with autoimmune diseases, depression, or other serious medical conditions.
