Melatonin and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Rob...
• July 3, 2021

For Insomnia "I have used melatonin for insomnia. It helps me fall asleep faster, but frequent urination from 5 am wakes me up, which is not normal. Then in the morning, feeling anxious and depressed for no specific reason, dizzy and tearful all day, fatigue and tiredness all day, unable to take my simple daily walk on a beach. Questioning my life and very dark mood. Nausea and no appetite all day, sleepy all day, headache. I took only 2.5 mg for 4 days and then stopped. Feeling fine after 2 days. During these two days, I felt very dizzy, nauseated, and tired. To be sure, I tested it once again a month later, took only 1.25 mg for 3 days, and each day was worse than the day before. It doesn't matter on the dosage, both times, I feel bad with all side effects mentioned above. I found out a much better alternative is Magnesium Glycinate supplement, which does not have any side effects on me. Simply took 100-200 mg magnesium pills and fell asleep within an hour, slept well till morning with no side effects the next day."

• Bro...
• December 21, 2019

For Insomnia "I took 2 mg of melatonin last night to help me sleep, and never again. I tossed and turned all night, had strange dreams, but felt like I was half awake during them. Today, I felt so flat and extremely anxious. It’s 2 AM and I’m still feeling anxious and just horrible. I’m having a chamomile tea and hoping that it helps me. NEVER again."

• Oma...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 25, 2019

For Insomnia "I have been taking this for a week. I have anxiety, depression, and panic attacks, and then after a doctor change, I was taken off my meds. So someone said take Benadryl. Not a good idea! I called an ambulance when I could not stand the feeling of anxiousness, and a paramedic said yes, try melatonin when I asked because of heart racing, etc., from Benadryl. Well, not a good idea on my part either with melatonin! It is the same thing! Not as bad, but I sleep a couple of hours, wake up all nervous and scared about health. I have started to cry at any little thing now. I have an appointment with a new doctor, but not for two weeks. I can't stand this! If anyone can recommend something safe, please do!"

• Oma...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 25, 2019

For Insomnia "I have been taking this for a week. I have anxiety, depression, and panic attacks, and then after a doctor change, I was taken off my meds. So someone said take Benadryl. Not a good idea! I called an ambulance when I could not stand the feeling of anxiousness, and a paramedic said yes, try melatonin when I asked because of heart racing, etc., from Benadryl. Well, not a good idea on my part either with melatonin! It is the same thing! Not as bad, but I sleep a couple of hours, wake up all nervous and scared about health. I have started to cry at any little thing now. I have an appointment with a new doctor, but not for two weeks. I can't stand this! If anyone can recommend something safe, please do!"

• Nat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 5, 2018

For Insomnia "I’m a nurse, so lots of shift work, not willing to go for anything too hard. Got some Circadin (melatonin slow release) 2 mg, took for a few days just so I can have a decent sleep. First night/day slept like 16 hours on and off, next few days kind of 6-8 hours, but crazy vivid dreams. Another two days-depressed as anything, feeling like a zombie, no jokes, worst anxiety, depression ever, never again."

• Mag...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 24, 2019

For Insomnia "Followed instructions, only took once. Fell asleep 2 hours after taking it. 11 PM. Slept for 6 hours but was getting up to urinate every hour, which is not normal for me. Very alert when I woke at 5 AM. Had a cup of tea, and then the nausea, headache, anxiety, depression, and lightheadedness came on. My neck feels strange. Felt like I could throw up and no appetite. Would never recommend these."

• Bel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 18, 2019

For Insomnia "I have tried melatonin three times. It is truly awful! It made me go into a very light sleep, but it still felt like I haven't slept. It gave me headaches, very low mood, sadness, eye twitching, anxiety, weird dreams, and felt completely out of it and dazed all day, which isn't good for life or work. I'm going to seek natural methods. Never taking it again. I heard today that staying really hydrated helps sleep. I'm also going to try the following: valerian root, lavender oil, ginkgo biloba, magnesium, and passion flower tea."

• Cat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2019

For Insomnia "My experience with melatonin has been horrible. I suffer from severe anxiety, and after a particularly rough patch, I was having an incredibly hard time sleeping. My boyfriend gave me a 5 mg melatonin, and while it helped me fall asleep rather quickly, the effects the next day have been devastating. I feel like I've been drugged; my limbs feel extremely heavy, I feel so out of it, and my anxiety keeps spiking. I keep wanting to cry and sleep forever. After seeing all the comments here about the effect of melatonin on anxiety and depression sufferers, it all makes sense. I'm going to try a 1 mg dose because it really did help me sleep, but I would never recommend taking anything over that."

• qqi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 29, 2022

For Insomnia "I used melatonin and slept well, the next day, though, I was depressed, had suicidal thoughts, and anxiety. I used it for one week. Also got back pain. Then I stopped, and all these symptoms disappeared after 2 days off. Tried again a few weeks later, same story."

• Hey...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 26, 2019

For Insomnia "I have been using melatonin for 2 weeks now. The last week I have been noticing some really nasty side effects. I have been dizzy all day, my anxiety and depression are really bad. I had a panic attack at work and am actually now in such a dark mood. After reading all the reviews here, I'm quitting this stuff immediately."

• Unk...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 18, 2018

For Insomnia "I've been having problems sleeping, so I decided to try and take this. I was also giving it to my children, and I'm not going to do that anymore. It doesn't help you sleep. As for my experience, after taking it, I did get sleepy, but the next morning I woke up with such nervousness and anxiety. I had throughout the whole day, it was the worst feeling ever."

• Unk...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 18, 2018

For Insomnia "I've been having problems sleeping, so I decided to try and take this. I was also giving it to my children, and I'm not going to do that anymore. It doesn't help you sleep. As for my experience, after taking it, I did get sleepy, but the next morning I woke up with such nervousness and anxiety. I had throughout the whole day, it was the worst feeling ever."

• OCD...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 8, 2019

For Insomnia "I really don't recommend it, specifically if you have any anxiety or depression. I was normally using melatonin when I was taking antidepressants for my OCD, which turned my life into hell, and it was effective. But after quitting antidepressants, every time I use melatonin, I get severe depression (and real dark thoughts) and anxiety, and as a result, I can't sleep, it is not safe."

• sma...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 18, 2015

For Insomnia "I'm 49, menopausal, and I am detoxing methadone (for cancer pain), and every night I find myself wide awake, body and mind, despite Rx sleeping pills. I was taking 2-3 mg tabs of melatonin with fairly good results. I have since learned that that is considered a high dose. However, I picked up a new bottle and inadvertently got 5 mg tabs, so for 4 nights I was taking 10 mg, and it had an opposite effect. I was anxious, my heart was racing, I became quite depressed throughout the day, and of course, I was wide awake. So if you are having any of those problems with melatonin, then maybe try a lower dose. I have since learned that a body normally makes 0.3 mg/day, so much lower doses make sense. Sweet dreams..."

• Jen...
• September 23, 2019

For Insomnia "Circadian 2 mg. I took for 3 nights, crazy nightmares, woke exhausted, irritable, and anxious. Have also taken herbal melatonin, also useless, no nightmares, but no sleep either. Might be effective for some people, but not for me."

• Ros...
• January 24, 2017

For Insomnia "Have never experienced such a high quality of sleep in 8 years, was very promising. Experienced night sweats and vivid dreams at the beginning. But I didn't mind at all because I thought finally I could stop taking benzos and go with this healthier alternative. After the 3rd day and increasing with each day, my preexisting stuttering condition worsened significantly, and I began to experience severe anxiety and felt dizzy during the day. My doctor saw me during treatment and a week after stopping and was shocked at how much my stuttering decreased and anxiety reduction. I am so disappointed it didn't work for me. I still recommend people try it."

• sam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2019

For Insomnia "Tried melatonin 5 mg a little before bed, gave me a lot of anxiety during the night. Would have bouts of deep sleep and wake feeling anxious. Just when I would go to doze off, I couldn't because of an anxious feeling like if I would fall asleep, I would stop breathing. Not again..."

• qqi...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 10, 2017

For Insomnia "Caused anxiety and depression. Didn't realize this after taking them for a year. When I stopped taking them, I became my good old self. The doctor confirmed these side effects afterward because I had a new doctor."

• Ros...
• December 14, 2016

For Insomnia "Be careful. I was prescribed Circadin by my psychiatrist to help with insomnia caused by my antidepressant. Over a period of around 3 months, I became anxious, agitated, and extremely depressed. I felt like I was losing my mind. I then realized that my deterioration coincided with starting the melatonin, so I stopped it. Within 24 hours, my depression was under control and I was back to my normal self. It says on the drug information that it can worsen depression and cause mood changes, yet my psychiatrist thought it would be a good idea to prescribe it for someone with severe depression. It also caused awful trapped wind and tummy pain. It's a shame because, as a sleeping tablet, it did actually work. Back to zopiclone for me!"

• Cis...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 25, 2017

For Insomnia "For insomnia, I think it helps, 1 mg to 3 mg, depending on each one's body. But if you don't get to sleep properly, maybe anxiety is the cause. In my case, and from my life experience, I do some tricks to beat both anxiety and insomnia: 1.5 mg melatonin 30 min before bedtime; spend those 30 min reading a book (out of the bedroom) with just 5W blue light; take 75 mg Trazodone when already in bed, just before programming my alarm clock, lights out; always get up before 9 AM (no matter what); exercise outdoors 40 min (before lunchtime); have 2 hobbies: listen to music (without headphones) and study collective sports; dinner time before 8:30 PM; and psychotherapy 2 times a month, forever. So, melatonin is a part of a whole."

• Sar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 31, 2022

For Insomnia "I'll sometimes take 0.5 mg of melatonin per night because it works for better sleep, but I eventually have to stop taking it within a week because my psych meds become less effective. I become anxious then depressed. Would rather have a level mood."

• Ale...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 21, 2021

For Insomnia "Great to help for sleep, but anxiety and depression the next day. Inclusive bad thoughts. Headache. I tried 5 mg, 2.5 mg, 1 mg, and 0.5 mg, all the same. Just my personal reaction. I take if desperate for sleep."

• Far...
• January 18, 2021

"So after reading all these reviews, it seems that most people have been steered in the wrong direction, being told or advised to use melatonin for insomnia. Melatonin is a hormone that people who struggle to fall asleep at bedtime do not produce enough of. This is very different from insomnia. Also, people are taking big dosages and using synthetic melatonin, then having side effects. I have been giving a 0.9 mg liquid dose of natural melatonin to my 14-year-old daughter as she has struggled to fall asleep for years and become at her most awake at bedtime. I have been giving her melatonin for only a week now, and the change has been amazing. Her behavior has improved, as has her falling asleep and feelings of anxiety. I will only be giving her melatonin at a dose of 0.9 mg for another week, and then I will stop and see if she can manage without it. Please use it in small doses and wisely, it's not for insomnia."

• Hop...
• January 15, 2013

For Insomnia "I took melatonin for a good night's sleep and instead was up all night jumping out of my sleep. It seemed to make me nervous and have a rapid heartbeat. I'm done taking this."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 21, 2020

"Taking melatonin for fibromyalgia, and it didn’t help me sleep and made me horribly anxious."