Potential Health Risks Associated with Prolonged Use of Popular Sleep Aid
A study on a widely-used sleep aid has sparked concerns among researchers about its extended use. This sleep aid is a supplement that mimics a hormone naturally produced by the brain to help regulate the body's internal clock. Many people take it towards the end of the day to help them fall asleep and stay asleep.
The study, which is still under review, analyzed adults with insomnia and found that those who used this sleep aid for more than a year had a significantly higher risk of heart complications. This analysis included over 130,000 adults from various countries.
Surprising Findings from the Study
Researchers discovered that adults who used this sleep aid long-term had an 89 percent higher risk of heart failure over five years. They were also twice as likely to die from any cause compared to those not using the sleep aid. Despite these alarming findings, they are still preliminary and do not alter current health advice. Furthermore, it is not confirmed that the sleep aid is the direct cause of these health issues.
However, these findings suggest a need for more research on the long-term use of this sleep aid to ensure its safety. This sleep aid is one of the top natural products used by adults in the U.S. and is usually considered safe for short-term use of 1 to 2 months, particularly among those who are not pregnant or breastfeeding.
Need for More Research
Despite its widespread use, there is limited research on the effects of this sleep aid beyond short-term use. As its popularity continues to rise, some researchers believe there is a need to address this gap in knowledge. The latest research on this topic was shared at a scientific session of the American Heart Association.
Medical researcher Ekenedilichukwu Nnadi, who is not associated with any specific institution or brand, expressed concern over the findings. He stated, "These supplements may not be as harmless as commonly assumed. If our study is confirmed, this could affect how doctors counsel patients about sleep aids."
Availability and Use of the Sleep Aid
In the U.S. and many other countries, this sleep aid is available over the counter, allowing people to take it without medical supervision or advice on dosage or length of use. While some studies suggest that long-term use of this sleep aid is safe, comprehensive research is lacking.
Analysis of Health Records
The recent study analyzed electronic health records of adults in the U.S. and the U.K., where the sleep aid is only available via prescription. A secondary analysis found that those who took the sleep aid for over a year were nearly 3.5 times more likely to be hospitalized for heart failure compared to those not taking the sleep aid. The risk of dying from any cause also increased significantly between the two groups.
However, the research has limitations. Participants were not directly surveyed on their use of the sleep aid. Instead, their prescription records were used to determine usage. This means that the control group (those who did not take the sleep aid) may have included people who took the sleep aid without a prescription.
Expert Reactions
Carlos Egea, President of the Spanish Federation of Sleep Medicine Societies, who was not involved in the study, acknowledged this limitation but still took the study's associations seriously. He argued that these findings challenge the perception of the sleep aid as a benign chronic therapy and highlight the need for a prospective trial with a control group to clarify its safety profile.
Even short-term use of this sleep aid can have downsides that many users aren't aware of. For instance, a recent series of non-fatal overdoses among children in Australia has raised questions over the safety profile of the sleep aid for certain age groups. While it might be based on a natural hormone, it doesn't mean there aren't risks.