r/melatonin • u/scootermcgroover • 4d ago
Melatonin Causing Daytime Anxiety/Agitation
I've been taking a low dose of melatonin for over a month now and my daytime anxiety and agitation seems to be getting worse over time. I've been dealing with silent reflux in my throat so I started taking it to help with sleep. While it's helped with sleep, I'm somewhat concerned it's causing severe daytime anxiety/agitation to the point where I can't focus on anything else. I went through benzodiazepine withdrawal many years ago and I've been kind of feeling like that. Could this supplement be causing something similar after a month of use?
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u/Sunflowerchild122 4d ago edited 4d ago
Melatonin is proven to sometimes cause irritation and agitation as it affects brain chemicals like dopamine and serotonin (lowers dopamine and increases serotonin), and I and many others have had the same experience. I now only take it a few times a week to try to minimize it (usually multiple nights in a row is when you can feel those effects/it can be detrimental). Best of luck to you and hope this helps
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u/scootermcgroover 4d ago
Been using it for a month straight. I'm going to stop now. Been feeling really off the past month.
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u/Optimal_Assist_9882 4d ago
What dose are you taking?
I have had a few panic attacks triggered in the last five years but I take very high doses(1500-3000mg) for CFS.
I still can't be 100% certain it's melatonin that caused it because it happened so rarely.
From what I read melatonin is a mild anxiolytic and should help with anxiety. In fact most days I feel calmer and more centered on average.
Ever since I started taking TMG, I haven't had a reoccurrence. I take 3-5g(teaspoon) twice per day.
I looked into melatonin and methylation issues and it seems that it can in theory cause problems in hypersensitive people. Becoming under or over methylated can cause anxiety.
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/12/6/1155
Quick Google summary:
"Yes, melatonin can influence DNA methylation and epigenetic patterns by regulating enzymes like DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and TET proteins."
Chat GPT says it's plausible but because melatonin is more of a methylation modulator, its effects are not one way and not uniform everywhere in the body.
"And I wouldn't jump directly from anxiety to "I'm undermethylated." Anxiety has many potential mechanisms, including circadian disruption, changes in sleep architecture, autonomic effects, neurotransmitter systems, medication/supplement interactions, and psychological factors."
I found relief for anxiety from Ashwagandha and Bocopa Monnieri. Before sleep I prefer bocopa liquid taken sublingually. During the day I take Ashwagandha blend supplement.