Somnologist Alena Mikhalova has warned that melatonin gummies popular among Generation Z teenagers can disrupt hormonal systems and natural sleep patterns.
Speaking to news outlet RIAMO, Mikhalova stated that the chewable sleep aids sold on online marketplaces pose health risks to children and adolescents whose endocrine systems are still developing.
She explained that when the body routinely receives sleep signals from external supplements, it grows accustomed to the outside input and produces less melatonin on its own. She added that young people frequently exceed recommended doses because they treat the products as ordinary candy.
Hormonal Disruption and Side Effects
According to Mikhalova, continuous intake of synthetic melatonin can trigger systemic hormonal imbalances in growing teenagers. She warned that these disruptions can manifest as reduced natural hormone production, persistent headaches, daytime drowsiness, irritability, and mood swings.
She further noted that the misuse of such sleep supplements during adolescence has the potential to interfere with normal sexual maturation and puberty.
Generation Z refers to the demographic cohort born between the late 1990s and early 2010s, encompassing current teenagers and young adults who are active users of online retail platforms.
Melatonin is a hormone produced naturally by the pineal gland in the human brain in response to darkness. It regulates the circadian rhythm, the internal biological clock that controls sleep and wakefulness. Somnology is the medical specialty focused on the study and treatment of sleep disorders.
Regulatory Status and Medical Advice
Mikhalova highlighted that melatonin gummies are classified as dietary supplements rather than regulated medicines. While many consumers assume that supplement status implies safety, she pointed out that it actually means the products have not undergone the rigorous clinical testing required for pharmaceutical drugs.
Dietary supplements are commercial products designed to supplement the diet with vitamins, minerals, or active compounds. Unlike prescription medicines, they are generally subject to fewer regulatory controls and safety checks before reaching consumer markets.
She stressed that teenage insomnia is a symptom of underlying issues rather than a standalone diagnosis that can be solved with sweets. She noted that sleep difficulties in adolescents are frequently driven by anxiety, depression, or overwork, which must be addressed directly instead of being masked by hormonal supplements.
Mikhalova urged parents to consult a qualified physician before giving any sleep supplements to children.
In related guidance on sleep health, somnologist Maksim Novikov previously addressed non-obvious causes of frequent nighttime awakenings. Novikov advised individuals experiencing recurrent sleep interruptions to be evaluated for sleep apnea, a disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep.
