Science Weekly Why are parents using melatonin to help their kids sleep?
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Jul 15, 2025 Paul Gringras, a leading consultant in paediatric sleep medicine at King’s College London, discusses the rising trend of parents using melatonin to help their neurodivergent children sleep. He shares insights into melatonin's benefits and concerns surrounding its unsupervised use. Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett adds personal stories of parental desperation as families navigate sleep deprivation and the challenges in accessing proper prescriptions. Together, they emphasize the importance of behavioral interventions over quick fixes with medication in promoting healthier sleep habits.
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Parents' Risky Melatonin Access
- Parents like Jen buy melatonin illicitly to help their sleep-deprived children finally fall asleep.
- This desperate act often comes with feelings of guilt and worry about legality and safety.
Melatonin's Natural Role
- Melatonin is a naturally-produced hormone signaling darkness and triggering the body's readiness for sleep.
- It is not a sedative but cues the body clock to prepare for nighttime rest.
Melatonin's Family Impact
- Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett's family used melatonin to help her severely autistic brother sleep.
- It was transformative, giving her mother much-needed rest and relief.