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Chronic pain<\/a> is startlingly common\u2014according to a 2023 study<\/a> from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), 21% of American adults live with it\u2014and yet, it remains notoriously difficult to treat. So it\u2019s particularly welcome news that scientists have found that some who struggle with chronic pain may find relief with melatonin, a popular, safe, and affordable supplement marketed as a sleep aid.<\/p>\n The study, published in Pain<\/a>, was a systematic review and meta-analysis of 23 randomized controlled trials, which enrolled a total of over 2,000 participants with either chronic or post-surgical musculoskeletal pain. Researchers compared participants given a daily melatonin supplement (which ranged from 3 to 10 milligrams per day) to participants who either took a placebo or participated in active pain treatments, and measured pain and sleep outcomes. Ultimately, they found moderate evidence that melatonin provided participants with chronic pain with significant pain relief and other benefits, including improved sleep quality. (Those with post-operative pain, on the other hand, did not seem to benefit.)<\/p>\n Experts believe that melatonin may work because of a connection between chronic pain, inflammation, and sleep quality. Below, doctors explain why\u2014and if melatonin supplementation may be worth exploring with your healthcare provider.<\/p>\n Meet the Experts:Jacob Teitelbaum M.D.<\/a>, a board-certified internist in integrative medicine who specializes in sleep, chronic pain, and fatigue; and Jay Luthar, M.D.<\/a>, triple board-certified physician, founder and medical director at Lutanen Health, and instructor at Harvard Medical School.<\/p>\n Why melatonin may help relieve chronic pain<\/p>\n \u201cResearch<\/a> has clearly shown that getting good sleep is critical for pain relief,\u201d says Jacob Teitelbaum M.D.<\/a>, a board-certified internist in integrative medicine who specializes in sleep, chronic pain, and fatigue.<\/p>\n Sleep is important for daily functioning, but for those with chronic pain, it can also help manage inflammation. Conversely, not getting enough can worsen pain-causing inflammation.<\/p>\n