If you’re dragging yourself through the day after yet another restless night, you’re not alone. 

For many people, sleep deprivation and nightly sleep struggles have become an exhausting part of life, fueled by packed schedules, constant stress and screens that never seem to shut off. 

So, it’s easy to understand the appeal of the trendy ‘sleepy girl’ mocktail, a colorful, often powdery drink that promises to calm the mind and make drifting off feel effortless. 

These viral magnesium-based mixes have taken over social media , where fans claim they’re the simple bedtime fix they’ve been searching for. 

And for anyone juggling work, family, stress, or an impossible schedule, the idea of an easy nighttime drink can be tempting to try.

But before you head to the store to stock up on supplements, it’s important to take a step back. 

While a calming evening ritual is always a nice idea, sleep experts are warning that these trendy drinks might just be a pricey distraction rather than a real fix for your sleepless nights. 

Here’s what you should know.

The Science Behind the Magnesium Hype

It’s easy to understand why magnesium has become such a trendy sleep ingredient. 

This essential mineral supports key body functions, including muscle relaxation and nerve function, which makes it sound like a natural fit for bedtime, but that does not mean a powdered drink version is a guaranteed answer to restless nights. 

The research is still limited: one clinical systematic review of older adults found that people taking magnesium supplements fell asleep about 17 minutes faster than those taking a placebo, but there was no statistically significant improvement in total sleep time.

‘The promise of a good night’s sleep is a powerful message to convey to consumers, even if the claims are difficult to back up with science,’ explains Dr Jennifer Martin, former president of the board of directors for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

‘A drink that promises to help you relax and sleep better is an attractive concept, especially on social media, but popularity should not be confused with scientific evidence.’

What’s REALLY Keeping You Awake?

Some people may be leaning on magnesium to cover up bad habits, like late-afternoon coffees, evening glasses of wine, high stress, late-day naps or a bedtime routine that never really winds down. 

Also, the cause of your sleep issues could be something more. 

Researchers say roughly 10 percent of adults meet the criteria for an insomnia disorder, with an additional 20 percent suffering from occasional symptoms, as noted in an Epidemiology of Insomnia study.

With all this in mind, relying on these viral drink solutions could mask the real root of your sleep issues or stop you from getting proper medical help that actually works.

‘Any “quick fix” approach is appealing because it can be hard to know where to start with unaddressed stress or environmental factors,’ says Dr Joy Valko, a licensed clinical psychologist board-certified in behavioral sleep medicine at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.

‘Caffeine too late in the day can promote a vicious cycle, exacerbating sleep problems resulting in next-day fatigue that makes caffeine even more appealing, but many people struggle with insomnia that developed for no identifiable reason.’

Understanding Potential Health Risks

One of the biggest mistakes people make is assuming that because something is ‘natural’ it must be safe in any amount. 

Taking too much magnesium can cause problems, however, especially for people with specific medical conditions. 

Those with kidney issues or taking certain prescription medications should be careful when adding a concentrated magnesium supplement to a nightly routine. Experts say the dose and the type of magnesium matter, and guessing can easily backfire.

‘Consumers should remember that “natural” does not necessarily mean risk-free. 

‘Taking excessive amounts of magnesium through supplements can cause gastrointestinal side effects, and certain people, including those with impaired kidney function or those taking medications that can interact with magnesium, should speak with their health care provider before supplementation,’ Dr Martin told Daily Mail.

More Is Not Always Better

When it comes to magnesium, taking more definitely does not automatically mean sleeping better. 

In fact, magnesium is well-known for its laxative effect. So, a large dose right before bed could end up causing stomach trouble, keeping you awake for the wrong reasons instead of helping you drift off. 

‘Magnesium is an important mineral and electrolyte, but more is not always better… spending your evening sitting on the toilet could interfere with getting enough sleep,’ Dr Valko cautioned.

Finding Real Relief Through Clinical Paths

If trendy magnesium drinks aren’t the answer for long-running sleep problems, what are some non-medicinal things to try? 

For adults with chronic insomnia, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia or CBT-I.

Instead of masking symptoms for one night, CBT-I targets the thoughts and habits that keep poor sleep going. 

This short-term therapy often lasts six to eight sessions and teaches lasting tools for better sleep, the AASM states.

The Takeaway

As you pursue sleep-enhancing methods, a magnesium drink might be a harmless part of a calming evening routine for some people. 

But it should not be treated as a replacement for medical advice or proven insomnia treatments. 

If sleep problems keep happening night after night, the better move is to talk to a clinician rather than continuing to test whatever is currently trending online.

Dr Martin added: ‘The AASM recommends discussing persistent insomnia or another suspected sleep disorder with a physician or sleep specialist rather than relying solely on self-treatment.’

It’s not uncommon, as a GP, to see patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who have been suffering with the distressing and embarrassing symptoms of the condition for years.

Take Tim – not his real name – who arrived in my clinic recently after enduring debilitating diarrhoea for four years.

He had been diagnosed with IBS years earlier after tests ruled out more serious conditions, including bowel cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. But he had been left with the impression that there was little that could be done about it.

So he simply learned to live with it. And he is far from alone.

IBS causes stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation and, while the condition is on the rise in the UK, many patients who are diagnosed get conflicting advice about how to manage it, or none at all.

The result is that countless people spend years putting up with symptoms that can make everyday life miserable.

Yet I believe that, for many, this suffering is avoidable. That’s because there is a dietary approach that can dramatically improve symptoms for some people with IBS – but many patients who could benefit from it are not being offered it on the NHS.

First, though, it’s important to understand what IBS actually is – and what may be behind its rise.

Unlike inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis, IBS does not cause damage or inflammation that can be detected on routine tests or scans. Instead it is diagnosed based on symptoms – including stomach pain, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation – while ruling out other possible causes. The exact cause is unknown, but IBS is thought to involve changes in the way the gut and brain communicate. Food may move through the bowel too quickly or too slowly, while the nerves in the gut can become unusually sensitive.

A stomach bug can trigger the condition while stress can worsen symptoms. Studies have also linked IBS with irregular eating and diets high in ultra-processed foods.

Diagnoses are rising, perhaps partly because people are more willing to talk about bowel problems than they once were. Even celebrities, such as reality TV star Millie Mackintosh, have spoken about living with IBS.

Yet while awareness has improved, many patients are still left believing there is little they can do to prevent their symptoms.

That simply isn’t true. There is good evidence one nutritional approach – called the low-FODMAP diet – can improve significantly symptoms in many people with IBS.

FODMAPs are a group of carbohydrates that are poorly absorbed by the gut. As a result, they can draw water into the bowel and are rapidly broken down by gut bacteria, producing gas – which can trigger bloating, pain and diarrhoea in IBS sufferers.

They are found in a range of foods, including certain fruits and vegetables, onions, garlic, wheat and some dairy products.

The diet involves temporarily cutting out foods high in FODMAPs to see whether symptoms improve. This can be challenging at first because so many everyday foods are affected – but the restrictions are not meant to be permanent.

After a few weeks, foods are reintroduced one at a time to identify which particular FODMAPs trigger symptoms. The idea is that patients can then avoid or limit only their personal triggers while returning to as normal a diet as possible. Studies show this approach can significantly improve symptoms and quality of life in those with IBS.

However, at present, GPs are not supposed to simply recommend that patients try the diet. NHS guidance says the low-FODMAP approach should be delivered by a healthcare professional with expertise in dietary management – typically a specialist dietitian. This is because there are worries that, without the advice of a specialist, the early stages of the diet can lead to malnutrition. It’s an understandable position – but the problem is that there are around 4,500 dietitians working in the NHS, while there are, by some estimates, as many as 10 million people living with IBS.

It is impossible for every patient to be seen by a dietitian, so what’s the solution?

There is good evidence that another popular diet is naturally low in fermented carbohydrates. This is the famous Mediterranean diet, which contains mostly plants, fish, whole grains and olive – with little meat, dairy and sugar.

The diet has been linked to a lower risk of heart disease, cancer and death. But it would seem it also reduces IBS symptoms.

The Mediterranean diet isn’t quite as effective as the FODMAP diet – probably because it contains some fermented carbohydrates – but studies show patients who follow the Mediterranean diet see a significant reduction in symptoms.

This doesn’t change the fact that the NHS should make it easier for GPs to recommend the FODMAP diet. But for those who want to tackle their symptoms today, I think the best thing is the Mediterranean diet – that’s why I recommended it to Tim.

IBS is not curable but, with the right steps, it can be controlled.

Have you been left in agony by the NHS? 

I am increasingly frustrated that so many of my patients are unable to access chronic pain services on the NHS.

Defined as pain that lasts for more than three months, the condition can be triggered by a range of conditions from arthritis to bowel disease and the after-effects of cancer treatment.

In some cases, it can have no clear cause. Whatever the reason, chronic pain can blight lives, damaging relationships and ruining careers. For most, the best way to ease the suffering is to treat the underlying condition. But when this fails, patients should be sent to a pain specialist, who can offer complex tailored treatments that a GP cannot.

The problem is that waiting lists for these NHS specialists have never been longer.

These days, when I try to refer patients to local clinics, the request is often rejected due to high demand.

Have you tried and failed to access pain services? Please write in and let me know.

Your questions answered

I get cold hands and feet in cold weather and I’m dreading autumn. I wear thick socks and gloves nearly all the time but it’s bulky and uncomfortable. Is there anything else I can do? 

Dr Ellie replies: Cold hands and feet can be a sign of a common circulation issue called Raynaud’s disease.

This is a condition where the blood vessels at the end of the fingers and toes spasm, meaning no blood gets in. As a result, the fingers go white and cold. Patients often report a numb or tingling feeling.

In many cases, Raynaud’s is triggered by a separate medical condition, such as arthritis or certain blood diseases. However, it can also be autoimmune – where the immune system accidentally attacks healthy tissue.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for Raynaud’s but there are steps that can be taken to ease the symptoms.

Sufferers are often recommended to keep their whole body warm, rather than just the hands and feet, as this can improve general circulation. This might mean wearing an extra jumper, prioritising warm footwear and remembering to go out with a hat.

Thermal vests and underlayers to keep the core warmer will help.

There is also evidence that exercise can reduce Raynaud’s flare-ups by improving blood circulation.

However, there is a medication that can help – a tablet called nifedipine, ordinarily used as a blood pressure treatment, which has been shown to relieve symptoms.

A GP should be able prescribe this drug to anyone with severe or persistent Raynaud’s.

Do you have a question? Email DrEllie@mailonsunday.co.uk

That rosemary sprig on your dinner plate does more than just add flavor to fish or roasted potatoes – it may also give your brain a boost. 

A 2024 study in Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy found that fresh rosemary may help protect brain tissue, sharpen memory, and support the glymphatic system – a waste clearance system in the central nervous system that flushes out metabolic waste from the brain during sleep.

So can rosemary tea or a sprinkle of the fresh herb really help your cognition? 

Daily Mail asked nutrition experts. Their answer: possibly – and it comes down to biochemistry.

What’s in Rosemary and Why It May Matter for Your Brain

Rosemary gets much of its potential punch from natural compounds such as 1,8-cineole, rosmarinic acid, and carnosic acid. 

Research in Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology found a link between blood levels of 1,8-cineole after taking rosemary extract and cognitive performance. 

The study found that in people exposed to rosemary essential oil aroma who had higher levels of 1,8-cineole in their blood had better cognitive performance on several tasks.

Scientists think 1,8-cineole may help support cognition by slowing the breakdown of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in memory, attention, and executive function. 

By allowing acetylcholine to remain active longer, the compound could potentially enhance communication between brain cells, although more research is needed to confirm exactly how it affects cognitive performance in humans. 

‘The underlying biochemistry of rosemary is fascinating, but we have to distinguish between preliminary science and real-world results,’ says Anne Till, a registered dietitian with Anne Till Nutrition Group based in North Carolina.

Where Early Promise Meets Real-World Human Evidence

The findings are promising, but experts say lab results shouldn’t be mistaken for proven benefits in everyday diets.

‘While the biological mechanisms are plausible, claims that eating rosemary “actively shields” brain tissue, “clears brain waste overnight,” or prevents dementia overstate the evidence,’ Till told Daily Mail.

Till further notes that most neuroprotective evidence is still preclinical, coming mainly from rodent and cell models rather than rigorous human trials. 

Human studies also suggest dose matters.

‘For example, research demonstrates that lower doses of powdered leaf [rosemary] around 750 mg improved alertness and speed of memory, whereas higher doses of 6,000 mg actually impaired performance,’ continues Till.

Other experts agree that more research is needed. 

‘Evidence for long-term cognitive benefit, efficacy in dementia, or use in clinical populations is very limited; larger clinical trials are needed,’ adds Julia Zumpano, a dietitian at the Center for Human Nutrition at the Cleveland Clinic.

How Cooking Changes Rosemary’s Helpful Compounds

How you prepare rosemary can affect how many bioactive compounds make it to your plate.

‘Its aroma and some of its benefits are most pronounced when rosemary is freshly chopped or used raw,’ explains Zumpano. 

She also notes that high temperatures and extended cooking times lead to significant loss of 1,8-cineole through thermal evaporation.

Preparation also shapes flavor and impact. 

‘Finely chopping rosemary releases its aromatic oils and helps distribute or infuse its flavor evenly throughout a marinade or dish, avoiding an overpowering bite,’ says Gabrielle Zalecky, a culinary medicine educator at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. 

‘Shorter cooking times preserve its fresh, bright flavors, which is often why in recipes we add herbs last in the cooking process.’

Carnosic acid is fat-soluble, so gently simmering rosemary in a healthy fat such as extra virgin olive oil helps draw it out. Steeping the leaves in hot water extracts water-soluble rosmarinic acid, experts said.

How Much to Use and When to Be Careful

For most people, rosemary is a safe, healthy addition to meals when used in typical culinary amounts.

‘Typical culinary doses are 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried rosemary or about 1 to 2 tablespoons of fresh rosemary chopped per meal,’ said Zumpano. 

But cooking with rosemary isn’t the same as using concentrated extracts or essential oils.

One practical caution, says Till: ‘Concentrated rosemary oils contain high levels of camphor and other terpenes that carry neurotoxic potential if ingested; essential oils should never be consumed orally.

‘And anyone taking blood thinners should exercise caution with concentrated supplements due to potential antithrombotic activity.’

If you’re considering a concentrated product, check with your healthcare provider first. 

Women who are pregnant may want to avoid high-dose medicinal teas or extracts because of traditional concerns about uterine stimulation, according to the University of Texas at El Paso – ask your clinician for guidance.

Easy Ways to Use Fresh Rosemary in the Kitchen

Rather than treating rosemary like a miracle cure, the experts suggest enjoying it for what it is: a flavorful, antioxidant-rich addition to whole-food meals.

‘Rosemary is a fantastic, aromatic herb that brings tremendous flavor and antioxidant value to a wide variety of dishes, even if we view it as a culinary joy rather than a “brain cure,”‘ Till told Daily Mail.

The practical approach is simple. 

‘Add rosemary as a seasoning in salad dressings, infused oils or butter, and sauces, roasted vegetables, potatoes, winter squash, and summer squash,’ suggests Zumpano.

For an easy dinner, toss root vegetables with extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, and fresh rosemary, then roast on a sheet pan. 

It’s simple, flavorful and nutritious. 

‘Rosemary is a dependable, flavorful herb that holds up well in a wide variety of cooking applications.’ adds Zalecky.

The Takeaway

The bottom line: Rosemary contains 1,8-cineole and rosmarinic acid, compounds linked to enzyme inhibition and antioxidant support. 

It may complement brain-healthy eating, but it won’t reverse cognitive decline or clear brain waste overnight. The good news, however, is that rosemary will add more flavor and nutritional value to your everyday meals.

Sophie Law was at the salon when her hairdresser broke some unexpected news: she had a patch of hair missing.

At just 16 years old, she was horrified. ‘How had I never noticed this before?’ she asked herself.

After leaving the salon, she booked in with her GP, where a blood test revealed she had an underactive thyroid, which the doctor said was the likely cause of her hair loss.

But medication to stabilise her thyroid hormones didn’t make a difference. Her hair continued to shed. 

She spent the following decade trying everything from density-boosting shampoos to cutting out gluten and even a red‑light therapy helmet, but nothing worked. 

By the time she was 23, she began to notice multiple bald patches when running her fingers through her hair. 

Eventually, aged 26, the Kent-based logistics manager was diagnosed with alopecia areata – the autoimmune condition that caused Jada Pinkett Smith to suddenly lose her hair.

Crucially, it cannot be cured.

‘I used to cry about my hair loss every single day,’ says Sophie. 

Some patients see success with medication like steroids that stop the immune system from attacking the hair follicles. 

Sophie, however, decided against it due to worries about side effects. 

Instead, she relied on a temporary hair-colour powder to fill in the areas where her bald patches were visible, but was constantly worried about it rubbing off. 

‘Every time I would leave the house, I would worry about the wind blowing my hair in the wrong direction,’ she says.

‘I was hiding my hair loss from everyone around me. The only people who knew about it were my family. 

‘It consumed so much of my brain, and that then left very little space for me to actually be present in the moment and be happy.’

She considered clip-in hair extensions, but this was not an option as there was not enough hair for them to clip on to.

Then, earlier this year, she found a solution that finally restored her confidence: an £800 wig. 

Ready-to-wear wigs, which can be made from human hair or artificial fibres, are popular options for people experiencing hair loss. 

Human hair wigs usually range between £200 and over £2,000 and can be styled with curling irons and straighteners, like normal hair. They need to be washed every seven to ten wears. 

Those made from artificial fibres are a more affordable option, usually costing between £50 and £300, and typically last four to six months with regular wear.

Sophie’s wig, which she purchased from Wig and Weaves by Hediye in Ashford, Kent, is made from human hair and features a transparent lace hairline that blends into the scalp.

‘As soon as I put the wig on, I cried happy tears,’ says Sophie. 

‘It made me feel normal – and like my old self before I even had any hair loss.’

Harley Street trichologist Marie Royce says she sees women every day whose confidence is destroyed by hair loss. 

‘Hair loss can knock a woman’s confidence far more than people realise,’ says Ms Royce, who is based at The Wimpole Clinic. 

‘I see women who are constantly checking mirrors, avoiding certain lighting or worrying that somebody is looking at their scalp. 

‘It becomes exhausting, because you are thinking about your hair all the time.

‘There are medical treatments that can help, but that is not right for everyone, and neither is a transplant. 

‘Some women are not suitable candidates, some do not want surgery, and some simply want a solution that gives them an immediate cosmetic improvement.

‘A really good wig can be completely life-changing. It gives back density and coverage straight away, but more importantly, it can take away that constant anxiety.’

Sophie, who regularly speaks about her hair loss on TikTok, says her family have seen a major change in her personality.

‘My mum and dad really struggled seeing me so upset with my hair loss,’ she says. 

‘They can see how much more confident I am now, which means they worry about me a lot less.’   

While she initially planned to wear the wig on special occasions, she now wears it every day.

‘Given how good it makes me feel about myself, I wish I’d done it sooner,’ she says. 

‘My hair is the best it’s ever looked and my confidence has increased so much. 

‘Before, when I looked in the mirror, all I saw was my hair loss –  but now, if I’m feeling sad about it, I can just put on the wig and forget about it.

‘I don’t hide the fact that I wear a wig either; if someone compliments my hair, I will tell them it’s a wig.

‘It felt so shameful and embarrassing when I first started considering wigs – but I’ve changed my mindset on this and I really hope we can start to change other people’s too.

‘Wearing a wig is the same as wearing hair extensions or makeup – you wear it because it makes you feel good about yourself – and it doesn’t need to be a dirty secret.’ 

It was 3am when James Nardell suddenly bolted awake, screaming.

Beside him, his wife jolted up in panic and switched on the light. James was safe in bed – but moments earlier, in his mind at least, he had been running for his life from a horde of zombies.

The nightmare had felt terrifyingly real.

His wife eventually persuaded him to settle back down, joking that perhaps he ‘should stop watching so many zombie shows’. But James suspected there was another explanation.

The disturbing dreams had begun after he started taking something meant to help him get a better night’s rest: melatonin.

James’s problems with sleep began after he moved from Somerset, England, to Bangkok in 1999 for work in affiliate marketing – but continued to work with US companies, where the 12-hour time difference meant late nights and early mornings.

Like many of America’s estimated 30 million insomniacs, James’s problem, he says, was falling asleep.

‘I just don’t seem to be able to turn off my thoughts when I go to bed,’ he tells the Daily Mail. ‘Before melatonin, I tried a few things. They worked to get me to sleep, but the next day I’d be groggy, and that’s no good for a 6am client call where I must be sharp.’

Then, in 2018, his wife mentioned his difficulties to a colleague while on a work trip to Singapore. They suggested melatonin, so she brought a bottle home for him to try.

James began taking it three or four times a week, particularly before days when he had an important early meeting.

It worked. But he soon noticed that on nights he took it, his dreams could become extraordinarily vivid – sometimes leaving him waking sweaty, dazed and with his heart pounding.

‘I rarely remember my dreams – they’re not particularly intense,’ he says. ‘But with melatonin, they really can be.’ 

On a separate occasion in 2020, the supplement left him with what he describes as a ‘melatonin hangover’ the following morning.

‘When it happened, it lasted until lunchtime – I felt heavy-headed, slow and couldn’t focus properly on work no matter how hard I tried,’ he says.

Ironically, it left him exhausted – worse than anything he had experienced from poor sleep. He believed this specific bottle was counterfeit because he purchased it online and the label looked a little off. He had never felt this way from melatonin before. 

Alarmingly, James’s experience is far from unique.

Melatonin is a hormone produced by the brain in the evening, acting as a signal to the body’s internal clock that it’s time to prepare for sleep and causing drowsiness.

Synthetic versions are also sold as supplements – and have become a booming business in the US, catering to millions of Americans desperate for a decent night’s rest.

Pharmacy shelves are packed with versions promising a better night’s sleep, sold as everything from traditional tablets and capsules to flavored gummies and liquids, and in a bewildering range of strengths. 

That’s markedly different from countries including the UK, where it’s available only on prescription.

Today, more than one in four Americans now report taking melatonin to help them sleep.

Yet experts now warn that many may be taking far more than they need by regularly consuming high-strength supplements commonly sold in stores – and this could be putting them at risk of bizarre sleep disturbances and other unpleasant side effects, from horrific nightmares and waking hallucinations to a debilitating next-day ‘hangover.’

So how can something designed to help you sleep sometimes make the night an ordeal – and how much should you really be taking? 

Part of the answer lies in the fact that melatonin works differently from conventional sleeping pills. Rather than simply sedating the brain, it acts primarily on the body’s internal clock.

Levels of the hormone naturally begin to rise in the evening as darkness falls, binding to receptors in the brain that signal that night has begun and helping the body prepare for sleep.

Taking synthetic melatonin can reinforce this signal, making you feel drowsier and helping you fall asleep.

And evidence suggests surprisingly little extra melatonin may be needed to produce an effect.

Studies have found doses as low as 0.3mg can have an impact in adults – a fraction of the 5mg James was taking several nights a week, or the 10mg to 20mg doses readily available on US pharmacy shelves.

Crucially, say experts, a bigger dose does not necessarily produce a better night’s sleep.

Taking substantially more than the body needs can instead cause melatonin levels in the blood to soar far above those produced naturally. Some research suggests doses of between 1mg and 5mg can produce levels up to 100 times higher than the body’s normal night-time peak.

And because the hormone can remain circulating for hours, particularly at higher doses, elevated levels may persist after a person wakes.

‘Once you’ve taken enough melatonin to produce that sleep signal, taking several times more doesn’t necessarily make that signal more effective,’ says Dr Jordan Burns, chiropractor and sleep coach for Amerisleep. 

What it can do is leave much higher levels of the hormone circulating in your body for longer, which may leave you feeling groggy, dizzy or headachy the next day, Burns said.

And the higher the dose, the greater the risk appears to be. A major review of studies involving doses of 10mg or more found these side effects were about 40 per cent more common among people taking melatonin than those given a placebo.

But some of the most unsettling effects can occur while users are asleep. 

Intense dreams and nightmares have been reported by people taking melatonin – including James – and scientists believe the hormone’s effects on the stages of sleep in which we dream may help explain why.

Rapid eye movement – or REM – sleep is the stage of the night when the brain becomes highly active and our most vivid, elaborate dreams typically occur.

Studies suggest melatonin can increase the amount of time spent in REM sleep and make periods of REM more continuous. In theory, this could mean longer, more intense dreams – and make frightening ones feel particularly real.

However, researchers have not yet proved that this is the reason melatonin users experience nightmares, and it remains unclear why some people appear particularly susceptible.

More disturbing still, some melatonin users on social media have reported hallucination-like experiences – seeing people, shapes or objects that weren’t really there, sometimes shortly after waking.

Some have even dubbed the phenomenon ‘melatonin psychosis’ – although this is not a recognized medical condition.

One such user is Annalise, who said on TikTok that she had been ‘seeing things’ for five days after she began taking the supplement.

‘The other day my cat walked into the room, but I thought I saw a human walking into the room,’ she says in the social media clip, which has now been viewed more than 36,000 times. ‘The same with my friend’s chihuahua – I thought it was a human.’

The experiences were so convincing that she began researching the early symptoms of schizophrenia.

‘I thought, ‘Why do I keep seeing things?” she says. ‘I thought I was going crazy.’

And similar accounts can be found across Reddit. One user describes taking melatonin before suffering a night of fragmented sleep and vivid nightmares, during which she felt she was never ‘truly’ asleep.

In one episode, she dreamed about her brother before opening her eyes – only to apparently see him standing beside her bed.

‘Even though I knew I was facing the wall, I was seeing my brother standing next to my bed in a doorway,’ she writes. ‘I closed my eyes and when I opened them again I hallucinated him walking out the door.’

While alarming, experts stress that experiences like these are not evidence that melatonin is causing psychosis.

Instead, they may be hypnagogic or hypnopompic hallucinations – vivid sights, sounds or sensations that occur as someone is falling asleep or waking up, when elements of a dream can appear to spill into consciousness.

‘There’s a blurry period between dreaming and waking when dream-like experiences can feel incredibly vivid and real,’ says Burns.

‘Melatonin doesn’t directly cause hallucinations, as far as we know. But because it can make dreams more vivid, it may make those experiences during the transition between sleep and wakefulness feel much more intense.

‘You might wake up and, for a few moments, still see or hear something from a dream. It can feel completely real, but that’s very different from hallucinating while you’re fully awake.’

Intriguingly, some research has even suggested melatonin may help reduce hypnagogic and hypnopompic hallucinations in people who already experience them. 

There may also be another explanation for why some people experience unexpectedly powerful effects from melatonin: the dose they swallow may bear little resemblance to the number printed on the bottle. 

Unlike prescription medicines, melatonin is regulated in the US as a dietary supplement – meaning products are not subject to the same controls over their contents.

In one striking analysis of 31 commercially available supplements, researchers found the actual amount of melatonin ranged from 83 per cent below the dose stated on the label to nearly five times the advertised amount.

Levels could also vary dramatically between different batches of the same product, while more than a quarter contained serotonin – a powerful brain chemical that was not declared on the label.

A more recent US study of melatonin gummies produced similarly alarming results: 22 of the 25 products tested contained a different amount from that advertised, with some delivering more than three times the stated dose.

In other words, someone carefully choosing what they believe is a modest dose may unwittingly be taking several times that amount.

So what should you do if melatonin isn’t giving you the restful night’s sleep you hoped for?

Experts say the answer is not simply to increase the dose. Anyone regularly waking exhausted, suffering disturbing dreams or finding their insomnia persists despite taking melatonin should speak to a doctor about what may be disrupting their sleep.

For persistent insomnia, the treatment with considerably stronger evidence is cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, or CBT-I – a structured program designed to change the thoughts, behaviors and sleeping patterns that perpetuate the condition.

James, meanwhile, still takes melatonin occasionally, but far less frequently than before. He says regular exercise has proved a better way of improving his sleep.

‘Maybe use melatonin when you really have to, but otherwise try to fall back on better methods,’ he says.

And after his experience with the suspicious pills, he is now far more careful about where his supplements come from.

‘I only get melatonin from family and colleagues who bring it back from Singapore or the US, bought from proper pharmacies,’ he says.

‘I won’t buy supplements from an online marketplace again. If a label looks off, I don’t take the chance.’

A passenger who traveled from Colorado to California onboard a series of Amtrak trains last week has been hospitalized with measles, stoking fears that he may have spread the potentially deadly virus along the way.

The unidentified passenger arrived in California aboard an Amtrak train from Denver, Colorado to Los Angeles from September 10 through 12, officials with the California Department of Public Health announced on Friday.

After arriving in the city of angels, the passenger got onboard another Amtrak train from Los Angeles to Bakersfield, California, arriving at Bakersfield Station.

From there, he traveled to Stockton, arriving at Stockton-San Joaquin Street Station. He then took a bus to Oroville, and the next day he traveled from Oroville to Sacramento by bus, arriving at Sacramento Valley Station.

The passenger then traveled from Sacramento to Emeryville, arriving at Emeryville Station.

From September 14 through 15, the passenger traveled from Emeryville, California back to Denver.

The travel routes show the passenger traveled through Alameda, Butte, Kern, Los Angeles, Sacramento and San Joaquin counties. 

The schedule also suggests the passenger spent the night in the Oroville area last Saturday and lodged Sunday night in the Emeryville area.   

California health officials are now working with county health departments and federal officials to identify and notify anyone who may have been exposed. 

‘This case, along with previous measles outbreaks in California this year serve as reminders of the importance of vaccination against measles,’ Dr Rita Nguyen, assistant state public health officer, said in a statement.

‘Measles is one of the most contagious infections that can lead to severe life-long consequences including permanent brain damage and can also be fatal, especially for children,’ she noted. 

Health officials now urge anyone who may have been exposed to check their vaccination status as two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine provide full immunization against the virus.

Anyone who is not fully vaccinated or is unsure of their immunity should contact a health care provider about vaccination, the California Department of Public Health suggested.

Those who may have been exposed to the passenger should also monitor their symptoms for seven to 21 days and limit interactions with others. 

Anyone who suspects they have measles, meanwhile, should contact a healthcare provider before going to a medical facility to avoid potentially exposing others.

California has already reported 59 measles cases across 13 counties thus far in 2026. The vast majority, 94 percent, of those patients were either unvaccinated or did not know their vaccination status. 

The news comes just days after an unvaccinated 18-year-old from Pennsylvania died ‘due to complications of measles.’

Mifflin County Coroner Andrea Alcalde ruled that the teen died from acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, a rare and severe neurological condition associated with measles that causes inflammation in the brain.

No other details about the teenager were released. 

Days earlier, health officials in the state announced an unvaccinated 40-year-old woman died last weekend from ‘complications associated with measles.’

The virus has spread rapidly across the country this year, with data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showing that as of September 11, there were 3,294 cases nationwide so far this year – well surpassing last year’s total of 2,289. About 95 percent of infections this year have been in unvaccinated individuals.

Measles, which is highly infectious, is characterized by cough, fever, a distinctive blotchy rash that starts on the face before spreading down the body and tiny white spots inside the mouth called Koplik spots. 

The virus spreads through direct contact with infectious droplets or through the air. Patients with a measles infection are contagious from four days before the rash through four days after the rash appears. Enclosed areas like airports and planes are extremely risky locations for disease transmission. 

It first invades the respiratory system, then spreads to the lymph nodes and throughout the body. As a result, the virus can affect the lungs, brain and central nervous system. 

While measles sometimes causes milder symptoms, including diarrhea, sore throat and achiness, it leads to pneumonia in roughly six percent of otherwise healthy children, and more often in malnourished children.

Though the brain swelling that measles can trigger is rare, occurring in about one in 1,000 cases, it is deadly in roughly 15 to 20 percent of those who develop it, while about 20 percent are left with permanent neurological damage, such as brain damage, deafness or intellectual disability. 

Measles can also severely damage a child’s immune system, making them susceptible to other potentially devastating bacterial and viral infections they were previously protected against. 

Before MMR vaccines became available in the 1960s, measles caused epidemics with up to 2.6 million global deaths every year. By 2023, that number had fallen to roughly 107,000 deaths. 

Nationwide, 92.4 percent of kindergarteners are fully vaccinated against measles, below the CDC’s 95 percent threshold for herd immunity

TV personality and business mogul Kim Kardashian has revealed her newest health struggle, sharing that she had to be hospitalized for a condition called esophagitis.

In a new trailer for the upcoming season of The Kardashians, clips show that the SKIMS founder was hospitalized with esophagitis, which causes inflammation and irritation of the lining of the esophagus. 

‘I have something called esophagitis,’ Kim tells her makeup team before she is shown laying on a hospital bed being cared for by healthcare workers. 

A friend of Kim’s then asks if it’s the same condition her father, Robert Kardashian, died from.

Kim’s father Robert, an attorney who defended OJ Simpson in his murder case, died from esophageal cancer in 2003. 

Esophagitis is a description of inflammation of the esophagus, not one specific disease, and it is separate from esophageal cancer – just because someone has the condition does not mean they will later develop the cancer. 

Additionally, the connection between esophagitis and esophageal cancer mainly stems from a person’s medical history of suffering from chronic reflux or a type of gastroesophageal reflux disease, not just from having esophagitis. 

Below, the Daily Mail explains everything you need to know about esophagitis and how it is connected to esophageal cancer.  

What is esophagitis and how common is it?

Esophagitis is the inflammation of the lining of the esophagus, the tube that carries food and liquids from the mouth to the stomach.

Symptoms include painful or difficulty swallowing, heartburn and acid reflux, chest pain and food becoming stuck in the esophagus. 

Chronic inflammation that goes untreated can eventually lead to ulcers, bleeding or a buildup of scar tissue that narrows the esophagus, known as an esophageal stricture.

Repeated damage from esophagitis can develop into a condition called Barrett’s esophagus, a condition that can increase your risk of esophageal cancer. It is estimated that about five percent of American adults have Barrett’s esophagus.

Exact incidence of esophagitis is not known because it isn’t one distinct disease. 

However, about 20 percent of Americans have some type of gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, which is one of the most common causes of esophagitis. 

GERD is a chronic digestive condition where stomach acid frequently flows back into the tube connecting your mouth and stomach, irritating its lining.

Another driver behind the inflammation can also be eosinophilic esophagitis, or EoE.

EoE is a chronic, immune-driven inflammatory disease where a type of white blood cell called an eosinophil builds up in the lining of the esophagus, causing damage and difficulty swallowing. 

It is estimated there are about 147 cases of EoE per 100,000 people – representing about 0.15 percent of the population.  

What causes esophagitis and what are risk factors?

Along with GERD and EoE, other factors that play a role in the development of esophagitis are acid reflux, certain medications and infection. 

Taking certain pills orally can injure the esophagus if the pill remains in contact with the muscular tube for too long. This is sometimes called pill-induced or drug-induced esophagitis. 

Infectious esophagitis can be caused by a fungal or viral infection and is most often associated with esophagitis in people with weakened immune systems.  

There are also certain lifestyle factors that increase the risk of developing esophagitis or any of the conditions that may contribute to it. 

These include obesity because extra weight puts pressure on the stomach and increases the likelihood of acid reflux, a hernia, a medical condition where part of the stomach pushes up through the diaphragm and weakens the valve that keeps acid down, pregnancy due to hormones and physical changes that raise the risk of acid reflux, as well as smoking and alcohol consumption. 

Diet can also play a role. Consuming large meals or meals heavy in fat and grease, as well as consuming caffeine, chocolate and spicy foods, can also contribute to esophagitis, especially right before lying down. 

What is the connection between esophagitis and esophageal cancer?

A diagnosis of esophagitis does not mean a person will go on to develop esophageal cancer, which is predicted to affect 22,530 Americans in 2026, killing an estimated 16,290. 

Esophageal cancer represents one percent of all cancer diagnoses and 2.6 percent of all cancer deaths. 

The average five-year survival rate is about 22 percent. 

Esophageal cancer is rare, with an estimated lifetime risk of 0.5 percent, according to the National Cancer Institute. 

Risk factors for esophageal cancer include long-term acid reflux, smoking and heavy alcohol consumption.  

The connection between esophagitis and esophageal cancer is the occurrence of chronic acid reflux, which can lead to reflux-related inflammation and esophagitis.

This can then turn into Barrett’s esophagus in some people, which can then progress into esophageal adenocarcinoma. 

The National Cancer Institute states chronic GERD also has an association with esophageal cancer because the repeated exposure of the esophagus to stomach contents can damage the lining of the muscular tube.

In some people, when this damage occurs, the normal cells lining the esophagus are replaced by different cells, which causes Barrett’s esophagus. 

These abnormal cells can then turn cancerous. 

While chronic esophagitis raises the risk of developing Barrett’s esophagus, which in turn raises the risk of esophageal cancer, not everyone with either or both of these conditions will go on to develop esophageal cancer. 

How is esophagitis treated?

Esophagitis can be treated using various methods. For reflux esophagitis, treatment focuses on reducing stomach acid regurgitation, including lifestyle and dietary changes and proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) medications, which can be purchased over-the-counter at many pharmacies, grocery stores and convenience stores. 

For EoE, PPIs are also recommended, along with steroids, food elimination diets and a minimally invasive procedure called esophageal dilation, which can stretch and widen a narrow esophagus. 

For infectious esophagitis, treatment targets the underlying infectious agent, which can include an antiviral or antifungal medication. 

By LUKE ANDREWS, U.S. SENIOR HEALTH CORRESPONDENT

Published: 16:15, 18 September 2026 | Updated: 16:15, 18 September 2026

A second death has been recorded in a new outbreak of a deadly lung disease that has infected 14 people. 

New York City is battling another cluster of Legionnaires’ disease – this time in the Bronx – after a summer cluster on the Upper East Side infected 94 people and killed 11. 

In the current Bronx cluster, 11 people have been hospitalized, with ten now discharged and one currently in the hospital.

Dr Alister Martin, the city’s health commissioner, confirmed the death in a post on X on Thursday, writing: ‘I am saddened to share that a second person has died in connection with the South Bronx Legionnaires’ cluster.

‘We mourn the loss of each New Yorker, and our hearts are with their loved ones as they navigate this difficult time. We are grateful to our local elected officials who have joined us in outreach efforts as we respond quickly to cut off the exposure and investigate cases.’

Legionnaires’ disease is caused by Legionella bacteria, which thrives in warm and damp locations. It can become airborne in water vapor and then be breathed in by people, potentially triggering an infection.

Common sources for the Legionella bacteria include centralized air conditioning systems, hot tubs, water fountains and large building plumbing systems.

At least 10 cooling towers in the Bronx – including at Yankee Stadium, Lincoln Hospital and Boricua College – tested positive for the bacteria, but Martin said all the towers have since been cleaned and disinfected. 

Regardless of a positive test, however, only live Legionella bacteria can cause illness. Officials said testing at the 10 towers found traces of living or dead bacteria but did not elaborate. 

Additionally, officials said it is not clear where the people contracted the bacteria and the city health department said further testing will reveal if any were sickened at recent Yankee games. 

However, the Yankees said previously none of the current Legionnaires’ cases in the area have been linked to the stadium.

Health officials are urging anyone who lives or works in, or has visited, the Melrose and Morrisania sections of the Bronx to immediately contact a healthcare provider if they develop flu-like symptoms. 

Legionnaires’ disease does not spread from person to person. 

Infected patients initially suffer from a headache, muscle aches and fever, before the disease also triggers a cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, confusion or other symptoms.

In severe cases, patients can suffer from severe pneumonia and the potentially fatal complication sepsis, when the bacteria spreads to the blood. The disease kills about ten percent of patients. 

Doctors can treat the disease using antibiotics but note these drugs are most effective during the early stages of the disease and before its spread in the body. 

Those who are over 50 years old, smoke or vape, have a chronic lung disease or a weakened immune system are at higher risk from the bacteria.

Nationwide, infections with Legionnaires’ disease have soared over the last two decades, rising from about 1,100 cases in 2000 to more than 8,000 today.

New York City records between 300 and 600 cases every year, according to data from the city’s health department.

In addition to the Upper East Side outbreak over the summer, in August of last year, seven people died and 114 people were sickened by a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Harlem. Ninety people were hospitalized.

Health officials linked that outbreak to the bacteria in 12 cooling towers across 10 buildings, including a city-run hospital and sexual health clinic.

About 90 percent of those infected had underlying risk factors, including being over 50 years old, being a smoker or having a chronic lung disease.

Growing use of the term ‘neurodivergent’ is ‘problematic’ and may be undermining those with real medical diagnoses, experts have warned.

British researchers say the phrase is being attributed to people without formal diagnosis, when it should be reserved for people with genuine disorders like ADHD and autism.

They said this could result in vulnerable children missing out on vital resources, for instance in schools, as it could be wasted on those without medical problems. 

The warning comes amid continued scrutiny from experts who have raised concerns about over-diagnosing and over-medicalising regular behaviours.

Diagnoses of ADHD are at record highs in England – rising 20-fold since the turn of the century – while autism cases increased by 787 per cent in the UK between 1998 and 2018.

Last month, autism research pioneer Professor Dame Uta Frith declared that ‘anyone can be diagnosed with autism if they meet certain criteria’.

The phrase ‘neurodivergence’ has become increasingly commonplace, often discussed on social media and by celebrities.

Last year TV chef Jamie Oliver said his family were ‘very neurodiverse’, referring to his wife Jools and children, Poppy, Daisy, Petal, Buddy and River.

He said that some have been diagnosed with dyslexia, ADHD and autism, but did not specify which child has which condition. 

Jools Oliver ‘has neurodiversities that make her life really interesting and really challenging’, the presenter said.

Meanwhile, Scottish singer Annie Lennox revealed last year that she was ‘a bit neurodivergent’, having been diagnosed with ADHD.

Lennox said ‘it’s not an easy thing to live with but it’s also a superpower.’ ‘I think it does bring brilliance,’ she added.

In a new review, psychiatric experts from the University of Southampton analysed more than 134 studies involving around 150,000 participants – primarily from the UK and US – and focused on patients who had been either told they were ‘neurodivergent’ or ‘neurodiverse’ by healthcare professionals, or identified as such.

They discovered almost 20 different conditions associated with the term. 

Most were autism and ADHD, followed by dyslexia and dyspraxia. These are classed by the NHS as ‘neurodivergent conditions’.

But they also found patients with anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder had been labelled with the term, as well as those who’d suffered a stroke and brain injuries.

Furthermore, one in five studies used the terms without listing any diagnosis, according to the research, published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry.

A third relied on people to self-identify as ‘neurodivergent’ rather than a clinical assessment and diagnosis.

Writing in The Conversation, the authors said the broad use of the term is ‘unfair’ and risks undermining the challenges faced by those living with conditions like ADHD and autism.

‘Their day-to-day experience is often very different from that of people without a diagnosis,’ they wrote.

The study also found studies ‘mixed-up’ the terms ‘neurodivergent’ and ‘neurodiverse’, which mean two different things.

Neurodivergent is the term for when someone behaves in a way deemed different from societal norms.

Conditions, which are diagnosed after an assessment, include autism, ADHD, dyslexia and dyscalculia – difficulty doing maths – according to the NHS.

Tourette’s syndrome, which causes sudden movements, reactions and tics, and dysgraphia – difficulty writing – are also listed by the health service.

Meanwhile, the term ‘neurodiversity’ is the broader belief that every person’s brain is wired differently.

The authors said the terms are becoming increasingly commonplace in day-to-day life and are often used in place of a specific diagnosis.

They warned that conditions like autism and ADHD are also often lumped together when ‘each condition has its own specific clinical features and diagnostic criteria’, leading to misunderstandings about a person’s specific difficulties.

‘This is why using ‘neurodivergent’ as a catch-all term, even in research, can cause problems,’ they wrote.

Autism and ADHD are often closely linked but they are different disorders.

Autism affects how people communicate, interact with others and experience the world around them.

Autistic people may also think and process information differently, prefer routines and be more sensitive to sights, sounds, smells or touch.

Meanwhile, ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, affects concentration, activity levels and impulse control.

Symptoms can include being easily distracted or forgetful and struggling to follow instructions.

The new findings come as a Government review into ADHD diagnoses is expected to recommend that healthcare professionals prioritise patients with severe problems related to their condition – such as self harm. 

Meanwhile, those with milder symptoms may not get NHS access, but will still be offered support. 

Some 800,000 people are currently waiting to be assessed for the disorder.