SleepCited

Melatonin for Circadian Rhythm Disorder

A Strong

Based on 52 studies (6 meta-analyses, 3 RCTs) with 1,773 total participants. 35/52 studies show positive effects.

Key Statistics

52

Studies

1773

Participants

↑

Positive

A Strong

Grade

Referenced Papers

The Efficacy of Melatonergic Receptor Agonists Used in Clinical Practice in Insomnia Treatment: Melatonin, Tasimelteon, Ramelteon, Agomelatine, and Selected Herbs. Review
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) 2025 2 citations
Delayed sleep-wake phase disorder. Review
JAAPA : official … 2025 1 citations
Shift work sleep disorder. Review
Handbook of clinical … 2025
Unraveling the connection between the Mediterranean diet and sleep health: from biological mechanisms to clinical implications. Review
Sleep & breathing … 2025
Melatonin, Melatonin Receptors and Sleep: Moving Beyond Traditional Views. Review
Journal of pineal … 2024 40 citations
Circadian Rhythms Disrupted by Light at Night and Mistimed Food Intake Alter Hormonal Rhythms and Metabolism. Review
International journal of … 2023 146 citations
Current Insights into the Risks of Using Melatonin as a Treatment for Sleep Disorders in Older Adults. Review
Clinical interventions in … 2023 41 citations
Melatonin as a Chronobiotic with Sleep-promoting Properties. Review
Current neuropharmacology 2023 38 citations
Physiological and pharmacological perspectives of melatonin. Review
Archives of physiology … 2022 69 citations
Treatment of Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorders. Review
Current neuropharmacology 2022 40 citations
Hypnotic and Melatonin/Melatonin-Receptor Agonist Treatment in Bipolar Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Meta-Analysis
CNS drugs 2022 25 citations
The Effects of the Exogenous Melatonin on Shift Work Sleep Disorder in Health Personnel: A Systematic Review. Systematic Review
International journal of … 2022 25 citations
Is Shift Work Sleep Disorder a Risk Factor for Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components? A Systematic Review of Cross-Sectional Studies. Systematic Review
Metabolic syndrome and … 2022 16 citations
Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorders: a Contemporary Review of Neurobiology, Treatment, and Dysregulation in Neurodegenerative Disease. Review
Neurotherapeutics : the … 2021 73 citations
Evening wear of blue-blocking glasses for sleep and mood disorders: a systematic review. Systematic Review
Chronobiology international 2021 47 citations
Insomnia and menopause: a narrative review on mechanisms and treatments. Review
Climacteric : the … 2020 97 citations
Resetting the late timing of 'night owls' has a positive impact on mental health and performance. RCT
Sleep medicine 2019 102 citations
New perspectives on the role of melatonin in human sleep, circadian rhythms and their regulation. Review
British journal of … 2018 685 citations
European guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of insomnia. Other
Journal of sleep … 2017 1691 citations
Meal Timing Regulates the Human Circadian System. Other
Current biology : … 2017 455 citations
A review of sleep disorders and melatonin. Review
Neurological research 2017 331 citations
Melatonin Natural Health Products and Supplements: Presence of Serotonin and Significant Variability of Melatonin Content. Other
Journal of clinical … 2017 226 citations
Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorders. Review
Continuum (Minneapolis, Minn.) 2017 132 citations
Sleep Disorders: Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorders. Review
FP essentials 2017
MT1 and MT2 Melatonin Receptors: A Therapeutic Perspective. Review
Annual review of … 2016 557 citations
Disruption of adolescents' circadian clock: The vicious circle of media use, exposure to light at night, sleep loss and risk … Review
Journal of physiology, … 2016 238 citations
Jet Lag and Shift Work Disorder. Review
Sleep medicine clinics 2015 75 citations
Is melatonin useful for jet lag? Meta-Analysis
Medwave 2015 6 citations
Circadian rhythm abnormalities. Case Report
Continuum (Minneapolis, Minn.) 2013 172 citations
Circadian typology: a comprehensive review. Review
Chronobiology international 2012 1248 citations
The effects of glycine on subjective daytime performance in partially sleep-restricted healthy volunteers. Other
Frontiers in neurology 2012 27 citations
Jet lag, circadian rhythm sleep disturbances, and depression: the role of melatonin and its analogs. Review
Advances in therapy 2010 136 citations
Melatonin agonists and insomnia. Review
Expert review of … 2010 58 citations
Circadian rhythm disorders. Review
Seminars in neurology 2009 17 citations
The roles of melatonin and light in the pathophysiology and treatment of circadian rhythm sleep disorders. Review
Nature clinical practice. … 2008 139 citations
Melatonergic drugs in clinical practice. Review
Arzneimittel-Forschung 2008 89 citations
Jet lag: therapeutic use of melatonin and possible application of melatonin analogs. Review
Travel medicine and … 2008 84 citations
A clinical approach to circadian rhythm sleep disorders. Review
Sleep medicine 2007 201 citations
Melatonin: Nature's most versatile biological signal? Review
The FEBS journal 2006 56 citations
Role of melatonin in the regulation of human circadian rhythms and sleep. Review
Journal of neuroendocrinology 2003 719 citations
Melatonin: clinical relevance. Review
Best practice & … 2003 339 citations
Melatonin for the prevention and treatment of jet lag. Systematic Review
The Cochrane database … 2002 154 citations
[Melatonin and epilepsy]. Review
Revista de neurologia 2002 35 citations
Melatonin in sleep disorders and jet-lag. Review
Neuro endocrinology letters 2002
Melatonin for preventing and treating jet lag. Systematic Review
The Cochrane database … 2001 154 citations
Circadian rhythm sleep disorders: pathophysiology and potential approaches to management. Review
CNS drugs 2001 135 citations
Melatonin and climactery. Review
Medical science monitor … 2000 11 citations
Melatonin and clinical application. Review
Reproduction, nutrition, development 1999 64 citations
Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders. Other
Current treatment options … 1999 23 citations
Melatonin and jet-lag. Review
European journal of … 1999
[Jet lag]. Review
Medecine tropicale : … 1997
Melatonin and jet lag. Review
The Netherlands journal … 1996 13 citations

Dosage & Usage

Commonly Used Dosages

general:
0.5-3 mg, 30-60 min before bed
jetlag:
0.5-5 mg

Upper limit: No established UL; 5 mg typically considered maximum

Dosages Studied in Research

Dosage المدّة Effect N
melatonin, light therapy, prescription medications (modafinil/armodafinil); optimized shift schedule -- Mixed --
Mediterranean diet (high adherence vs. low adherence); polyphenols, omega-3, fiber as key components -- Positive --
None -- Positive --
Scheduled melatonin, scheduled sleep-wake times, bright light therapy -- Positive --
None -- Positive --
None -- Positive --
None -- Positive --
Melatonin (various doses); light therapy; chronotherapy (various schedules) -- Positive --

Best taken: 30-60 minutes before bed

Safety & Side Effects

Reported Side Effects

  • ⚠ Daytime drowsiness
  • ⚠ Headache
  • ⚠ Dizziness
  • ⚠ Nausea
  • ⚠ Vivid dreams or nightmares

Known Interactions

  • ● Blood thinners (warfarin) — may increase bleeding risk
  • ● Immunosuppressants — melatonin may stimulate immune function
  • ● Diabetes medications — may affect blood sugar levels
  • ● Sedatives and CNS depressants — additive drowsiness

Tolerable upper intake: No established UL; 5 mg typically considered maximum

Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Melatonin help with Circadian Rhythm Disorder?
Based on 52 studies with 1,773 participants, there is strong evidence from multiple clinical trials that Melatonin may support Circadian Rhythm Disorder management. Our evidence grade is A (Strong).
How much Melatonin should I take for Circadian Rhythm Disorder?
Studies have used various dosages. A commonly studied range is 0.5-3 mg, 30-60 min before bed. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.
Are there side effects of Melatonin?
Reported side effects may include Daytime drowsiness, Headache, Dizziness, Nausea. Most side effects are mild and dose-dependent. Consult your doctor if you experience any adverse reactions.
How strong is the evidence for Melatonin and Circadian Rhythm Disorder?
We rate the evidence as Grade A (Strong). This rating is based on 52 peer-reviewed studies with 1,773 total participants. The overall direction of effect is positive.

Related Evidence

FDA Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products and information on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The evidence grades presented are based on our analysis of published peer-reviewed research and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.