Melatonin: More than Just a Sleep Aid
Many people know melatonin as a supplement that helps with sleep. Less widely known is that melatonin has also been studied for anti-cancer properties.
Many people know melatonin as a supplement that helps with sleep. Less widely known is that melatonin has also been studied for anti-cancer properties.
What is melatonin?
Melatonin is a natural hormone produced by the pineal gland at night, and it is mainly responsible for regulating our sleep-wake cycle. It is also available as a supplement, where it is most familiar for its role in supporting sleep.
How it may act on cancer
The anticancer properties of melatonin have been reported in several studies. Acting as an oncostatic agent, melatonin has been shown to help prevent the spread of various types of cancer, including breast, ovarian, prostate, oral, gastric and colorectal cancers.
At a cellular level, melatonin works by inhibiting the uptake of linoleic acid through its receptors. This is thought to lead to a series of effects on cancer cells: programmed cell death, known as apoptosis; the prevention of new blood vessel formation in cancer cells, known as angiogenesis inhibition; and disruption of the cancer cells' metabolism.
Working alongside chemotherapy and radiation
Beyond these direct effects, some studies have shown that melatonin can increase the efficacy of anticancer drugs. It may also enhance the therapeutic effects of chemotherapy and radiation while helping to reduce their side effects.
How melatonin is taken
Melatonin can be taken orally before bedtime as a supplement, with the aim of potentially lowering the risk of developing cancer, improving sleep and maintaining good health overall. As a supplement, it is available in a range of doses, typically from 1 mg to 10 mg.
What the research suggests
Several studies have explored these effects in more detail, including work examining the roles of melatonin across the hallmarks of cancer, reviews of melatonin for the prevention and treatment of cancer, and research explaining the mechanisms by which it acts on cancer cells. Taken together, this body of work points to melatonin's potential rather than to an established cancer treatment.
CancerCoach is here to help you understand and prepare, never to replace your medical team. If you feel unwell or your symptoms change, contact your doctor or local emergency service straight away.
CancerCoach provides education and remote guidance to help patients and families understand options and prepare for informed conversations. It is not emergency care and does not replace diagnosis or treatment from your licensed medical team. Every case is individual, and outcomes vary.