In an era of high-stress careers and constant digital connectivity, a good night’s sleep has become a luxury. This desperation has fuelled a massive surge in melatonin gummies — brightly coloured, sweet-tasting supplements marketed as a harmless, natural way to drift off. But Indian medical experts are sounding the alarm: melatonin is no simple vitamin; it’s a potent neuro-hormone, and unregulated use is disrupting the very systems it’s meant to help. Ahead of World Sleep Day on March 13, leading pulmonologists are raising red flags about the growing misuse of these popular gummy supplements.

The hormone myth: Understanding the biology of sleep

The first step in understanding the risk is correcting a common misconception: melatonin is not a vitamin. As Dr Salil Bendre, director of pulmonology at Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital, Mumbai, explains, "Melatonin is commonly marketed and purchased easily over the counter as a natural supplement, akin to multivitamin tablets, but clinically, melatonin is not a vitamin. It is a neuro-hormone, produced by the brain, to help regulate the circadian rhythm of the body."