Melatonin
13 November 2025
Good morning EB Community!
Melatonin
I have received several text messages on the above, so please allow me to address the elephant in the room regarding the recent report on Melatonin.
First and foremost please note I have been taking CanPrev Magnesium-Sleep for years and it’s been one of my best sleep aid ever. And yes it has melatonin, which is a hormone our brain (and other tissues/organs) naturally makes but reduces as we age - this is why our sleep quality drops as we get older.
So does it mean I need to stop now, base on an American Heart Association non-peer reviewed report and with lots of limitations stated by the authors too? Answer is NO.
Let’s go deeper for those who want to know more:
AHA Melatonin Report – Should We Be Worried?
Some of you may have seen headlines saying “long-term melatonin use increases heart failure risk.”
This came from a recent American Heart Association (AHA) report – and I want to explain what it really means, and why those of us taking low-dose melatonin (like CanPrev Magnesium Sleep) do not need to panic.
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What the AHA study actually did
• Researchers looked at over 130,000 adults with insomnia.
• They compared those who had melatonin recorded as a long-term medication in their medical records vs. similar people with insomnia who did not.
• Over about 5 years, the “melatonin group” had a higher rate of heart failure (not heart attack).
Important:
💡 Heart failure ≠ heart attack.
Heart failure is when the heart becomes weaker over time. It’s not a sudden blockage.
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Big limitations of the study (the part the headlines leave out)
This is why we must read it carefully:
• 🔍 Observational only – it shows an association, not proof that melatonin caused heart failure. People on melatonin may already be sicker or have more severe insomnia.
• 💊 Prescription/recorded users only – they counted people with melatonin in the medical record. Many who buy OTC melatonin were likely counted as “non-users,” which confuses the results.
• ❓ Dose unknown – they do not clearly know what dose people took, how regularly, or which brands. In the US, some OTC products are very poorly labelled and can contain much higher doses than stated.
• 🧬 Not yet peer reviewed – this is still a preliminary conference abstract, not a fully reviewed published paper. Conclusions may change once other scientists scrutinise the data.
So the study raises questions, but it is not strong enough to say:
“Melatonin causes heart failure” – especially not at low doses and in well-regulated products.
In fact, when I was hospitalised last year, the doctor gave me melatonin to help me sleep.
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Why CanPrev Magnesium Sleep users need not panic
Here’s why I am personally comfortable continuing my own routine:
✅ Low dose:
I take 2.5 mg melatonin, which is considered a physiologically low dose, not the very high doses many people use.
✅ Health Canada–licensed product:
CanPrev Magnesium Sleep is a Health Canada–approved product, which means:
• proper dose
• purity tested
• good quality control
This is very different from some unregulated high-dose OTC brands elsewhere.
✅ Magnesium + sleep hygiene:
The product is not a hammer knocking you out – it supports natural sleep with magnesium bisglycinate, which calms the nervous system and relaxes muscles.
✅ Good response, no red flags:
I’ve taken it for years, sleep better, and wake up refreshed, not groggy, with no signs of heart failure (breathlessness, swollen legs, inability to lie flat, etc.).
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So what should we do?
• No need to suddenly stop your low-dose, quality melatonin + magnesium if you’re doing well.
• Do keep an eye on your blood pressure, blood sugar, weight, cholesterol, and exercise – these are still the main drivers of heart failure.
• If you ever have worrying symptoms (shortness of breath, swollen ankles, chest discomfort, can’t lie flat without gasping), please see a doctor.
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🧡 My personal summary
The AHA report is interesting but very early.
It reminds us not to abuse high-dose, poor-quality melatonin, but it does not say that a low-dose, well-regulated product like CanPrev Magnesium Sleep is dangerous, especially when used as part of an overall heart-healthy lifestyle and EB wellness protocol.
For now, I’m continuing my usual 2.5 mg melatonin + magnesium at night – and focusing on keeping my heart young with good sleep, movement, nutrition, and strong cellular support. 🌙💛
But for those who are still concerned, you can switch to just Magnesium Gentle - this is an excellent sleep aid too, for many that are able to fall and stay asleep easily.
Final thoughts, never just buy melatonin OTC unless you can verify the authenticity of the product and safety.
The choice is always ours to make.
Please send over any questions or feedback you may have so we can share and clarify our thoughts together.
🙏❤
Rosemary
https://elixirbotanica.com/products/magnesium-gaba-melatonin-for-sleep