New Delhi: Melatonin, a hormone widely known for regulating the body’s sleep-wake cycle, may also offer modest relief for people living with chronic musculoskeletal pain, according to a new review published in the journal Pain. Researchers found that while melatonin should not replace conventional pain treatments, it could serve as an additional therapy, particularly for patients who experience both chronic pain and sleep disturbances.
The findings have generated interest because poor sleep and persistent pain often reinforce each other. Researchers say improving sleep quality may help reduce pain intensity in some individuals, although larger studies are needed before melatonin can be recommended as a standard treatment.
Review analysed over 2,000 participants
The review examined 23 randomised clinical trials involving 2,028 participants suffering from chronic or post-surgical musculoskeletal pain.
Researchers evaluated whether melatonin supplements could improve sleep quality and reduce pain severity compared with other treatments or placebos.
The analysis found that people with chronic musculoskeletal pain experienced modest improvements in both pain levels and sleep quality after taking melatonin.
However, evidence supporting its use for post-surgical pain was limited and less conclusive.
Pain relief comparable in some cases
According to the review, melatonin’s pain-relieving effects were, in some comparisons, similar to those of commonly prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Despite these encouraging findings, researchers stressed that the overall benefits were relatively small and that melatonin should not replace established treatments for chronic pain.
Paulo Ferreira, founding director of the Musculoskeletal Research Hub at the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre and one of the study’s authors, said the findings were promising but should be interpreted with caution.
He noted that the research does not suggest replacing conventional pain medications with melatonin.
How melatonin may reduce pain
Melatonin is primarily responsible for regulating the body’s internal biological clock and promoting healthy sleep.
Researchers believe it may also influence inflammation, oxidative stress and the way the nervous system processes pain signals.
Improved sleep itself could play a significant role in reducing pain sensitivity, as chronic pain and poor sleep often create a cycle in which each condition worsens the other.
By improving sleep quality, melatonin may indirectly help people better manage persistent pain.
Generally well tolerated
The review found that melatonin was generally safe and well tolerated by participants.
Reported side effects were mostly mild and temporary, including headaches, dizziness, nausea and daytime drowsiness.
Researchers noted that melatonin is relatively inexpensive and is available without a prescription in many countries, making it an accessible option for many patients.
However, they cautioned that melatonin is not suitable for everyone and may interact with medications such as blood thinners, diabetes medicines and immunosuppressants.
Pregnant women, children and individuals with existing medical conditions should consult a healthcare professional before taking melatonin supplements.
More research still needed
Researchers emphasised that melatonin should be considered an adjunct therapy, rather than a replacement for proven treatments such as physiotherapy, regular exercise, prescribed medication and lifestyle modifications.
They also acknowledged several limitations in the review. Many of the included studies involved relatively small groups of participants, used different melatonin dosages and followed patients for only short periods.
As a result, researchers could not determine with certainty whether the improvements in pain were due primarily to better sleep or to melatonin’s direct effects on pain pathways.
While the findings suggest that melatonin may provide modest benefits for people with chronic musculoskeletal pain, especially those struggling with sleep, experts say larger and longer-term clinical trials are required before it can be routinely recommended as part of standard pain management.