Background: The Prevalence and Treatment Challenges of Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is startlingly common—according to a 2023 study from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), 21% of American adults live with it—and yet, it remains notoriously difficult to treat. So it’s particularly welcome news that scientists have found that some who struggle with chronic pain may find relief with melatonin, a popular, safe, and affordable supplement marketed as a sleep aid.
Study Details: Melatonin's Effect on Chronic Pain
The study, published in Pain, was a systematic review and meta-analysis of 23 randomized controlled trials, which enrolled a total of over 2,000 participants with either chronic or post-surgical musculoskeletal pain. Researchers compared participants given a daily melatonin supplement (which ranged from 3 to 10 milligrams per day) to participants who either took a placebo or participated in active pain treatments, and measured pain and sleep outcomes. Ultimately, they found moderate evidence that melatonin provided participants with chronic pain with significant pain relief and other benefits, including improved sleep quality. (Those with post-operative pain, on the other hand, did not seem to benefit.)
Expert Insights: How Melatonin May Relieve Chronic Pain
Experts believe that melatonin may work because of a connection between chronic pain, inflammation, and sleep quality. Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, a board-certified internist in integrative medicine, states: “Research has clearly shown that getting good sleep is critical for pain relief.” Sleep is important for daily functioning, but for those with chronic pain, it can also help manage inflammation. Conversely, not getting enough can worsen pain-causing inflammation. Dr. Jay Luthar, triple board-certified physician, adds: “Pain and poor sleep feed each other. When you’re in pain, you sleep worse, and when you sleep worse, pain feels worse. Melatonin likely helps by breaking that cycle, plus it has modest anti-inflammatory effects on its own.”
Important Considerations: Not for Everyone, Consult Your Doctor
However, not everyone with chronic pain should try melatonin. Everyone’s health circumstances are different, and even though melatonin is considered safe for most, it’s best to consult with your doctor before introducing any new medication or supplement. Dr. Luthar emphasizes: “This is far from a green light to self-medicate with melatonin. When I work with patients who experience chronic pain and sleep issues, we take a more comprehensive look at advanced biomarkers, stress levels, lifestyle, and patient preferences to determine a treatment plan that works for the full picture, not just one symptom.”
Conclusion and Recommendations
Although more research is needed, both Dr. Teitelbaum and Dr. Luthar find it encouraging that the researchers found melatonin performed about as well as some prescription painkillers—suggesting the supplement may offer similar levels of relief, but with a much better short-term safety profile. Of course, melatonin does come with potential side effects, including grogginess, headache, and nausea. If you are interested in adding a melatonin supplement to your routine, ask your healthcare provider what dosage and frequency to start with. And if chronic pain is your primary concern, Dr. Luthar adds, be sure to discuss that with your doctor as well, as they may be able to pinpoint what’s causing the pain in the first place and if it would benefit from more targeted treatment.
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