The worry
"Melatonin causes dementia."
A common fear, often sparked by headlines about sleep aids and memory.
What the research shows
No proof of that.
We found no study showing that melatonin causes dementia. The sleep aids linked to dementia in research are a different group of medicines.1,2
"I hear this from friends and family a lot. Someone reads a headline or sees a post saying sleep aids cause dementia, and they stop their melatonin out of fear, without knowing which sleep aids the research was really about."
Tyler Smith, RN
That confusion is understandable. "Sleep aid" covers a lot of very different products. Here is where the worry comes from, and what the research really says.
Where the dementia worry comes from
Some over the counter sleep aids are linked to dementia
In a study of nearly 3,500 older adults followed for more than seven years, long term use of strong anticholinergic medicines was linked to a higher risk of dementia.1 This group includes diphenhydramine, the ingredient in many "PM" sleep products.1 Melatonin is not an anticholinergic medicine.
Prescription sleeping pills have been studied too
A review of five earlier reviews looked at benzodiazepines, a group of prescription sleep and anxiety medicines. It found a possible link to dementia, but the authors called the evidence weak.2
Headlines about long term melatonin use
Studies that find a link between melatonin and a health problem are often observational. They show that two things appear together, not that one causes the other. Read melatonin and heart failure for an example.
People with dementia often have low melatonin
Your body makes less melatonin as you age.4 Researchers study melatonin in dementia for this reason. Low melatonin in dementia does not mean melatonin causes it.
Sleep aids and dementia: how they compare
| Type | What research has found |
|---|---|
| Anticholinergic sleep aids, such as diphenhydramine | Long term use linked to higher dementia risk in older adults.1 |
| Benzodiazepines | A possible link to dementia, but weak evidence.2 |
| Melatonin | No study we found shows it causes dementia. Long term safety has not been well studied.5 |
Do not stop a prescription medicine on your own because of this table. Talk to your doctor first.
Does melatonin help people who already have dementia?
Not much, based on current research. A Cochrane review looked at melatonin up to 10 mg for 8 to 10 weeks in people with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease. It found little or no effect on sleep, and no serious side effects were reported.3 The certainty of that evidence was low.3
If you care for someone with dementia who is not sleeping, talk to their doctor before trying any sleep aid, melatonin included.
Check your nightstand
"I tell them to read the label on everything on their nightstand. If they see diphenhydramine or doxylamine, the ingredients in many PM products, that is a conversation to have with their doctor or pharmacist."
Tyler Smith, RN
- Look for "PM" or "nighttime" on pain relievers and cold medicines.
- Check the active ingredients for diphenhydramine or doxylamine.
- Write down every sleep product you take, including teas and gummies.
- Bring the list to your pharmacist and ask what to keep, change, or stop.
How I like to see melatonin used
"Melatonin is not a sedative. It is a timing signal that tells your body night has started. A low dose, at the same time every night, with a regular routine, is how I like to see it used."
Tyler Smith, RN
For dosing, read is 1 mg of melatonin enough and is melatonin bad for you. If you take other medicines, read melatonin and blood pressure and melatonin and HRT.
Where Driffly fits
No PM ingredients, just a low dose
Driffly does not contain diphenhydramine or doxylamine. Each strip has 1 mg of melatonin, valerian root 50 mg, lavender 20 mg, chamomile 10 mg, and hibiscus 10 mg. I chose a low melatonin dose because it is much closer to what your body makes than the 5 mg and 10 mg on most shelves.*
Driffly is not a treatment for dementia or memory problems. Every order comes with a 30 night money back guarantee.
Common questions about melatonin and dementia
Can melatonin cause dementia?
We found no study showing that it does. The sleep aids linked to dementia in research are anticholinergic medicines, like diphenhydramine, and possibly benzodiazepines.1,2
Is melatonin safe for long term use in older adults?
Melatonin appears safe for short term use, but long term use has not been well studied.5 If you need it most nights for more than a few weeks, talk to your doctor.
Which sleep aids are linked to dementia?
Long term use of strong anticholinergic medicines, which includes diphenhydramine, was linked to higher dementia risk in older adults.1 Reviews of benzodiazepines found a possible link, with weak evidence.2
Can melatonin help with dementia?
A Cochrane review found little or no effect on sleep in people with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease.3 Melatonin is not a treatment for dementia.
Should I stop taking melatonin because of dementia risk?
Not based on current research. But check every sleep product you take with your pharmacist, especially anything labeled PM.
Is diphenhydramine the same as melatonin?
No. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine that causes drowsiness. Melatonin is a hormone that acts as a timing signal for sleep.
Sources
- Gray SL, Anderson ML, Dublin S, et al. Cumulative use of strong anticholinergic medications and incident dementia. JAMA Internal Medicine. 2015.
- Wu CC, Liao MH, Su CH, Poly TN, Lin MC. Benzodiazepine use and the risk of dementia in the elderly population: an umbrella review of meta analyses. Journal of Personalized Medicine. 2023;13(10):1485.
- McCleery J, Sharpley AL. Pharmacotherapies for sleep disturbances in dementia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2020;(11):CD009178.
- Karasek M. Melatonin, human aging, and age-related diseases. Experimental Gerontology. 2004.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Melatonin: What You Need To Know.
Tyler Smith, RN, BSN, BA is a registered nurse and the founder of Driffly. He writes and reviews the articles in the sleep education hub. About Tyler
The author is the founder of Driffly, which sells the product mentioned in this article. This article is for education and is not medical advice. *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.