Melatonin Probably Doesn’t Cure COVID-19
The Claim
Melatonin – generally used as a sleep aid – is a cure for COVID-19.
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The claim circulated several times during the coronavirus pandemic.
Misbar’s Analysis
Researchers are hard at work trying to find treatments for COVID-19. In addition to the vaccine, some scientists have been looking into repurposing preexisting medications. One such group studied melatonin. The study group found that the substance may be an effective treatment for COVID-19. Articles about the study were published on various news publications.
Melatonin is present in humans and animals alike and is used to push the brain into drowsiness. Cost-effectiveness and ubiquity could make it an invaluable cure, if it were, in fact shown to be effective.
However, Misbar's investigation found that while the study does claim that melatonin may be a possible treatment, this claim is based on shaky evidence.
It is based off of two findings. First, the study found that people who took melatonin had a lower rate of infection. That doesn’t mean much, as people who take melatonin may be more likely to trust supplements. In addition, the place more emphasis on sleep, which has been shown to impact one’s immune system. The other finding was that melatonin activates “certain pathways” in the virus. What this means exactly is unclear.
