Oral and skin melatonin to help sleep and mood in teens at risk for anxiety
Official title: Oral and transdermal melatonin treatment to improve insufficient sleep in youth at risk for mental health disorders
Funded at University of Redlands · NIH-11269704 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether melatonin taken as a pill or lotion can improve sleep and reduce anxiety symptoms in teens who are at risk for mental health problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Redlands NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Redlands, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $474,780 |
| NIH project number | 1R15HL179371-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11269704 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Teens and young adults roughly 14–21 years old who have sleep problems and are at risk for anxiety or mood disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Teens without sleep problems or those not at risk for anxiety may not benefit.
What this research studies
Teenagers aged roughly 14 to 21 who are at risk for anxiety or mood problems will try melatonin in two forms—oral tablets and a melatonin lotion—against a placebo in a short crossover trial. Researchers will track sleep with wearable devices and diaries, and measure the autonomic nervous system activity, mood, and anxiety symptoms along the way. Saliva tests will help compare how the lotion behaves in the body versus the oral form and monitor adherence. The goal is to understand if melatonin can help sleep and whether better sleep translates to lower anxiety and mood symptoms, with attention to any side effects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer a simple way to improve sleep and possibly mood for teens at risk of anxiety disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Past studies show melatonin can help sleep in youth, with unclear effects on anxiety—this study adds a direct comparison of lotion vs. oral forms.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Redlands
Redlands, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Olson, Lisa — University of Redlands
- Study coordinator: Olson, Lisa
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.