Melatonin impairs morning cognition in healthy young adults

A new study presented at SLEEP 2023 reveals that melatonin, a common sleep aid, can impair cognitive performance the next morning in healthy young adults. Researchers found that participants who took melatonin experienced slower reaction times and reduced alertness compared to those who took a placebo. The findings suggest that even short-term melatonin use may have lingering effects on daytime functioning, raising questions about its widespread use.