If chronic aches and pains are keeping you awake, you're not alone. New research suggests melatonin—the hormone best known for regulating your sleep-wake cycle—may also help reduce chronic muscle and joint pain while improving sleep quality. Researchers found that people taking melatonin experienced modest pain relief, along with more consistent improvements in how well they slept.
Scientists are still working to determine the ideal dose and long-term effectiveness of melatonin for chronic pain, and the supplement isn't intended to replace other healthy strategies for managing discomfort. But the findings add to growing evidence that quality sleep plays an important role in how your body responds to pain, inflammation and recovery.
Your body naturally produces melatonin each evening, and supporting that process may be just as important as taking a supplement. Morning sunlight, limiting blue light after sunset and sleeping in a cool, dark room all help maintain a healthy circadian rhythm and encourage natural melatonin production. When you support your body's internal clock, you're giving it another tool to rest, recover and manage pain naturally.
SOURCE:
VeryWell Health, July 26, 2026