‘Can’t sleep? Don’t count on melatonin supplements, expert says
Prof. Cho Chul-hyun of Korea University Anam Hospital speaks about insomnia during an interview in Seongbuk District, Seoul. Courtesy of Korea University Anam Hospital
The trending pursuit of a so-called “God Life” — a hyper-productive, self-disciplined lifestyle — has led many young Koreans to believe sleep is expendable. But sleep deprivation, especially in the long term, could come at a steep cost, warns a leading psychiatrist.
“Some people say, ‘You can sleep when you’re dead,’ but pushing your body to the limit increases your risk of physical and mental illness,” said Prof. Cho Cheol-hyun, a psychiatrist at Korea University Anam Hospital, in an interview.
The term “God Life,” a blend of the English word “God” and the Korean character for life, refers to a life of extreme self-discipline — often showcased on social media as waking up before sunrise, hitting the gym, and maximizing every waking moment.
But as heatwaves and sleepless nights persist, Cho cautioned that trying to recoup lost sleep with daytime naps could actually worsen sleep disorders.
He also dismissed the effectiveness of over-the-counter melatonin supplements. “They have little real impact on sleep,” he said.
Unlike prescription melatonin, which mimics the body’s natural sleep hormone rhythm, health supplements often cause a quick spike and fall in melatonin levels, rendering them ineffective for most age groups, he said.
According to Cho, insomnia is on the rise. “The number of patients receiving treatment for sleep disorders rose by about thirty percent between 2018 and 2022,” he said, citing national health statistics. “If you include those with depression or anxiety-related insomnia, the figure would be even higher.”
Cho emphasized that sleep disorders can contribute to a wide range of health problems, from breast cancer and endocrine disorders to high blood pressure, dementia and mood disorders. “The psychiatric community now treats insomnia not just as a symptom, but as an independent disorder,” he said.
Contrary to popular belief, taking naps to make up for a poor night’s sleep can make things worse.
“Our bodies rely on a balance between a homeostatic drive — the buildup of sleep pressure from daily activity — and our internal circadian rhythm,” Cho said. “A daytime nap disrupts this balance, causing a vicious cycle of sleeplessness.”
For those who fall asleep but frequently wake in the early morning, Cho said the problem could be mid-stage or late-stage insomnia, often triggered by stress or an inability to enter deep sleep.
Alcohol, often used as a sleep aid, does more harm than good. “It disrupts the sleep cycle. You may fall asleep quickly, but the resulting rest is shallow and fragmented,” he said.
When tension or anxiety persists at night, medications like benzodiazepines or antidepressants may help, but Cho warned against heavy dependence. “Some clinics prescribe zolpidem as a first-line treatment, but while it may work instantly, it carries a high risk of dependency,” he said.
Ultimately, Cho stressed the importance of consistency and prioritizing sleep not as a luxury, but as a foundation of health. “Sleep is not optional. Sacrificing it for the sake of productivity can backfire, mentally and physically.”
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.