Is your nightly melatonin safe? A groundbreaking study of 130,000 people presented at the 2025 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions found that long-term melatonin use was associated with nearly double the risk of heart failure. But before you panic, there's critical context you need to understand.

In this episode, Dr. Sean Hashmi breaks down what this study actually found, provides a clear 6-step action plan for safe melatonin use, and explains whether this risk applies to you based on how you're using it.

KEY TOPICS COVERED:

• The alarming findings from the 2025 heart failure study
• Why 90% higher risk doesn't tell the whole story
• The shocking truth about melatonin supplement quality (0-667% dosing variability)
• 6 evidence-based steps for safe melatonin use
• Optimal timing: why 3 hours before bed works best
• Does melatonin even work? What the data shows
• When to use melatonin vs. when to avoid it
• Study limitations and what they mean for you

THIS EPISODE IS FOR YOU IF:

• You take melatonin regularly or nightly
• You've been using melatonin for more than a year
• You have heart disease, diabetes, or kidney disease
• You want to understand the real risks and benefits
• You're looking for evidence-based sleep solutions

RESEARCH DISCUSSED:

• American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2025 - Long-term melatonin cardiovascular outcomes study
• FDA analysis on melatonin supplement dosing variability
• 2024 meta-analysis on optimal melatonin timing
• Clinical trials on melatonin efficacy for sleep

Dr. Hashmi provides the full scientific context behind the headlines, helping you make informed decisions about your sleep health.

ABOUT DR. SEAN HASHMI:

Board-certified Nephrologist and Obesity Medicine Specialist (MD, MS, FASN) dedicated to translating complex medical research into clear, actionable strategies. Founder of the SELF Principle framework (Sleep, Exercise, Love, Food) and SELFPrinciple.org, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free evidence-based health education.

CONNECT:

Website: selfprinciple.orgNewsletter: selfprinciple.org/newsletterInstagram: @seanhashmimdYouTube: @SeanHashmiMD

MEDICAL DISCLAIMER:

This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine. The views expressed are Dr. Hashmi's personal professional opinions and do not represent any employer or affiliated organization.

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