Melatonin Is More Than a Sleep Hormone

How one of the body's most important signaling molecules became misunderstood—and why the science tells a much bigger story.

If I hear one more person tell me, “Don’t take melatonin—your body will stop making it,” I’m going to lose my mind. Somewhere along the way, melatonin developed a reputation as a dangerous sleep supplement that your body becomes “dependent” on.

The problem? That’s not what the science says. More importantly, it isn’t even asking the right question. Most …