Impact of Exogenous Melatonin on Sleep and Daytime Functioning in Healthy, Typically Developing Adolescents

Purpose of Review Use of exogenous melatonin as a sleep aid is steadily increasing among youth. Despite limited understanding regarding the acute and long-term effects on circadian timing, sleep, and daytime functioning, melatonin is recommended to adolescents for sleep difficulties more than any other age group. This review summarizes and synthesizes the most recent research examining the efficacy of melatonin treatment on sleep difficulties in healthy, typically developing adolescents. Recent Findings Research allowing for cause-effect inferences on the effects of melatonin treatment in typically developing adolescents is quite limited. However, the literature that exists suggests that melatonin administration through adolescence appears effective and without observed untoward effects. Summary Clinical use of melatonin should be well considered and aligned appropriately with diagnoses. There is a critical need for longitudinal and experimental research aimed at better understanding the effects of melatonin on objective and subjective sleep, daytime functioning, and adverse effects in adolescents.