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Here’s the punch-list of human benefits for melatonin from the past ~2 years (Oct 2023–Oct 2025): • Better sleep: Dose–response meta-analysis shows melatonin shortens sleep-onset latency and increases total sleep time; effects peak around 4 mg/day and timing matters.  • Insomnia relief (OTC context): Recent scoping reviews place melatonin among the better-studied, generally safe OTC options for adult insomnia.  • Perioperative calm: Trials and reviews suggest melatonin can reduce pre-op anxiety and perform comparably to midazolam with a favorable safety profile.  • ICU sleep & delirium: Systematic review indicates melatonin may improve perceived sleep and reduce delirium in critically ill adults (evidence quality moderate/variable).  • Migraine prevention: Systematic reviews of RCTs support reduced migraine frequency/severity with melatonin prophylaxis.  • Blood pressure effects: Contemporary reviews/meta-analyses suggest controlled-release melatonin can lower nocturnal/systolic BP; 2024 meta-analysis also notes a small daytime diastolic BP drop.  • Chemo adjunct: Recent umbrella review highlights signals that melatonin may lessen some chemotherapy adverse effects (ongoing research).  • General guidance/indications: Up-to-date clinical overviews reaffirm roles in circadian/sleep regulation and note interaction considerations.  ⸻ Dogs Benefit Too: Melatonin Isn’t Just a “People Pill”
Allen Rippy, Veterinarian, Author
Oct 10, 2025
6 min read
We often think of melatonin as a human sleep helper, but the science is catching up on our dogs. In people, recent meta-analyses show melatonin makes it easier to fall asleep, lengthens total sleep time (sweet spot near 4 mg), and may even steady nighttime blood pressure for some when used in controlled-release form. It’s also being studied as a gentler option to ease pre-surgery jitters and to prevent migraines—all with a generally favorable safety profile. 
Why should pet parents care? Because many of the same brain pathways exist in dogs. Recent veterinary reviews and trials report that melatonin can help with noise phobias (storms, fireworks), separation-related anxiety, and even “sundowning”-type cognitive changes in seniors. Importantly, melatonin has a long track record in dermatology for Alopecia X (hair-cycle arrest)—with new controlled studies again showing hair regrowth in affected dogs. 
Safety matters across species. In humans, timing and dose are key; in dogs, veterinarians typically use low fixed doses (about 5-20 mg depending on size/goal) and time it 30–120 minutes before a trigger for situational anxiety. Always check labels—xylitol (common in gummies) is toxic to dogs—and talk to your vet if your pet is on other meds or has endocrine issues. 
Bottom line: melatonin isn’t magic, but it’s a low-cost, low-risk tool that can support calmer nights, steadier nerves, and—in certain cases—healthier coats. Pair it with training, sound-desensitization, and good sleep hygiene (for you both), and you’ve got a practical, evidence-informed path to better rest and resilience—human and hound alike.