From the Guidelines
It is not recommended for 18-year-olds to mix melatonin with alcohol due to potential negative interactions and increased risk of adverse effects. These substances can interact negatively, potentially causing increased drowsiness, dizziness, and impaired coordination beyond what either substance would cause alone 1. Alcohol can also reduce melatonin's effectiveness as a sleep aid and may disrupt your sleep quality. Additionally, both substances affect the central nervous system, and combining them could potentially increase the risk of adverse effects.
Key Considerations
- The use of alcohol as a self-treatment for insomnia is not recommended due to its short duration of action, adverse effects on sleep, exacerbation of obstructive sleep apnea, and potential for abuse 1.
- Melatonin has been tested in a large number of clinical trials, and meta-analyses have demonstrated that melatonin has small effects on sleep latency, with little effect on WASO or TST 1.
- The safety and efficacy of melatonin in long-term treatment is unknown, and patients should be educated regarding the risks and abuse/misuse of medications 1.
Recommendations
- For those using melatonin supplements to help with sleep, it's best to avoid alcohol consumption, especially on the same night.
- If you're taking melatonin for sleep issues, focus on establishing good sleep hygiene practices instead of combining it with alcohol.
- Remember that in the United States, alcohol consumption is illegal for those under 21 years of age, regardless of any supplement use.
Important Notes
- The FDA recently recommended that a warning be issued regarding adverse effects associated with BzRA hypnotics, including sleepwalking, eating, driving, and sexual behavior, and patients should be cautioned about the potential for these adverse effects 1.
- Administration of sedatives/hypnotics on an empty stomach is advised to maximize effectiveness, and caution is advised if signs/symptoms of depression, compromised respiratory function, or hepatic heart failure are present 1.
From the Research
Interaction between Melatonin and Alcohol
- The interaction between melatonin and alcohol is complex, and research suggests that alcohol consumption can suppress melatonin levels in young adults 2.
- A study found that a moderate dose of alcohol in the evening reduced melatonin levels by 15% and 19% at 140 and 190 minutes after administration, respectively 2.
- Another study reviewed the current knowledge of melatonin and alcohol-related disorders, highlighting the chronobiological effects of ethanol on melatonin suppression and its relation to inflammation, stress, and free radical scavenging 3.
Effects of Melatonin on Alcohol Consumption
- Research suggests that melatonin may have a role in reducing relapse-like alcohol consumption, with studies showing that activation of melatonin receptors can reduce alcohol consumption in rats 4.
- A study found that melatonin administered at the end of the light phase led to a phase advance in the diurnal drinking pattern and reduced frequency of approaches to alcohol bottles 4.
- However, the effects of melatonin on alcohol consumption in humans are not well understood, and more research is needed to determine its potential as a treatment for alcohol addiction.
Safety and Efficacy of Melatonin
- Melatonin is a hormonal product of the pineal gland, and its role in maintaining synchrony of sleep with the day/night cycle is well established 5.
- However, the safety and efficacy of melatonin as a dietary supplement or drug are not well understood, with many studies showing interactions with a wide range of physiological processes 5.
- A review of the literature found that melatonin can advance the time of sleep onset, but the effect is modest and variable, and its impact on sleep efficiency is limited 5, 6.