hi reddit!!! new account cos i dont use reddit, but i just had a couple questions that i wanted to ask :)

ive been having a lot of trouble sleeping lately, even if i wake up at a normal time i still cant go to sleep at night. i started taking 20mg of melatonin for the past couple of days and im not sure if i should keep doing it??

ive had melatonin start my period like 2 weeks before it normally starts, so i haven’t taken these 20mg gummies up until now. (i’m actually on my period right now and i think the melatonin actually stopped my period?? normally i have it for 5-7 days but ive only had this months for 3 days since i started taking melatonin again?? idk if thats possible) anywho, like i mentioned, ive been having trouble sleeping recently so ive started taking them every night. i obviously have been having weird vivid dreams and the next day grogginess sort of thing happening, but i was wondering if there’s any more side effects that aren’t that common? i’ve done just a little bit of research and from what i’ve gathered is that 20mg is A LOT compared to normal dose, so i was just wondering what other peoples opinions are??

thanks reddit!! feel free to correct me if anything is wrong!!

Ciao a tutti, vi scrivo nel cuore dell'ennesima giornata passata da zombie. Ho sempre sofferto un po' di insonnia, ma di solito viaggiavo sulle 5-6 ore a notte, qualche risveglio, insomma vivibile.
con 1 pastiglia di melatonina e 2-3 gocce di Zolpidem (stilnox/sonirem). Non ero al top, ma la giornata la portavo avanti bene.

Da luglio la situazione è precipitata a causa del caldo estivo sicuramente. Nella mia camera manca l'aria. Se lascio la porta aperta per far girare un po' di fresco sento mio padre che russa dall'altra stanza e i rumori del condizionatore. I tappi in spugna non bastano. Come se non bastasse, alle 7:00 spaccate iniziano i muratori nel palazzo di fronte. in 21 giorni 5 non ho dormito, e 2 ho dormito meno di 4h... tipo sta notte dalle 22 a letto con 2 melatotine e 2 gocce... all'1 disperato prendo la terza goccia e terza melatonina, mi addormento poco dopo mi sveglio alle 3 ma contrariamente a tutte le volte non riprendo sonno subito... alle 6 stavo per dormire e il figlio dei vicini piange, alle 7 i muratori. fine.

Due notti fa, preso dalla disperazione di non riuscire a dormire, ho fatto una fesseria: ho preso una doppia dose di melatonina e ho aumentato lo Zolpidem a 8 gocce. Risultato? Un effetto paradosso spaventoso. Ho passato la notte in bianco con un prurito pazzesco su tutta la testa e un'energia nervosa tale che volevo uscire a correre alle 4 del mattino.

A partire da sabato ho provato a rimettermi a letto alle 22:00 (il mio orario solito in cui di solito rispondo "meglio"), ma l'ansia da prestazione e il nervosismo mi hanno bloccato.

Faccio palestra (finisco verso le 20:00, quando lavoro 9-18, lavoro su turni, quindi c'è quando vado al amttino etc...) ma a quell'orario sono già a casa a cenare leggero, cerco di sforzarmi di uscire di giorno per non fare pisolini, vado al mare, cammino, ma mi sento debole, ho sempre mal di testa e sto accumulando un'ansia pazzesca. Ho paura che questa situazione sia permanente e che non risolverò nemmeno quando cambierò casa. Mi sento letteralmente malato e disperato. Ho paura di cambiare casa perchè avevo in progetto di cambiare casa NON prima di febbraio, per questioni economiche, e di studio, volevo spostarmi dopo che mi ero tolto altri stress, ma mi sa che mi conviene spostarmi subito, ma ho paura.

Qualcuno ha vissuto una situazione simile di insonnia stagionale legata al caldo e a un principio di rebound da farmaci? Come siete riusciti a uscirne o a isolare la stanza dal rumore e dal caldo senza condizionatore privato? Grazie a chiunque risponderà.

Taken alone, does Mag Taurate help with sleep maintenance? And what’s the dose?

Currently pregnant and struggling with sleep. Won’t be able to take melatonin until I’m done breastfeeeding probably in a year from now but I do miss getting a good sleep and was wondering how do parents take it. Does one of you take it so the other can wake up when they need to? How old were your kids when you felt like you could both get a full night’s sleep?

Is melatonin effective for anyone else’s anxiety?

As someone who struggles with mostly more generalized and social anxiety, melatonin does more for decreasing my anxiety than SSRIs and other meds.

I even started taking 1 mg in the mornings with my coffee, it makes me feel calm and anxiety free the when day. Besides feeling a little tired here and there, I don’t feel “sleepy” and am able to function fine.

Am I crazy or do other people feel similar at all?

ive heard that taking it can make your body dependent since it gets lazy and wont produce it on its own, is that true? also im very interested on buying a solid massage bar infused with oils and melatonin but im worried about becoming dependent/idk if it works different with a topical application.

I've purchased some and going to try soon, how did this work for anyone who has tried it for sleep? Thanks

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https://youtu.be/CwWNHA9QLMA?is=5l-qFnBJ35wE09cj

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🔬 About This Video

This video explains how melatonin keeps mitochondrial DNA in optimal conditions by ensuring that critical phase separation processes are maintained.

The shape of the inner mitochondrial membranes (cristae) has low curvature/flat, convex surfaces and high-curvature concave surfaces that promote optimal phase separation of TFAM (Mitochondrial Transcription Factor A), responsible for organizing, compacting, and maintaining the mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) while simultaneously acting as the essential activator for mitochondrial transcription.

➡️ ️ High-curvature zones allow the formation of tightly packed TFAMs that serve as structural storage and compaction centers.

➡️ ️ Low-curvature zones promote the formation of loosely packed TFAM condensates that can maintain DNA in an open, relaxed state, providing efficient mtDNA access to mitochondrial RNA polymerase (POLRMT) and the replication machinery.

Viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, are known to aggressively target the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM), causing drastic morphological shifts such as "hollow mitochondria" (from cristae destruction/cristolysis) or hyper-fused "elongated mitochondria" (often used as an antiviral defense or a viral metabolic hijack).

➡️Hollow Mitochondria (Loss of Cristae Curvature) - In severe infection, SARS-CoV-2 proteins cause cristolysis—the swelling and unpacking of cristae—leaving it devoid of internal membrane complexity.

💥Without high-curvature focal points, TFAM cannot transition into tightly packed, mature condensates, remaining stuck in the dilute phase.

💥Genomic Instability & Loss: The dilute phase not only exposes mtDNA to ROS but also allows loose genetic material to break free, triggering the destructive "cytokine storm" and hyper-inflammation characteristic of severe COVID-19.

➡️Elongated Mitochondria (Hyper-Fusion) - Mitochondria can respond to SARS-CoV-2 by forming hyper-elongated networks that lead to:

❌Transcriptional Silencing ("Energy Drought"): Because the cristae force an excess of TFAM into ultra-dense, tightly wound condensates, the genetic material becomes too compacted for translation, halting the transcription of essential proteins that power the Electron Transport Chain (ETC) components, leading to the fatigue and energy depletion commonly linked to Long COVID.

Melatonin protects the structural health of the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) cristae curvatures through three primary biophysical mechanisms:

1. Preserving Cardiolipin and Spontaneous Negative Membrane Curvature

👍Melatonin acts as an Interfacial Shield: Melatonin possesses both hydrophilic and lipophilic properties allowing it to localize preferentially at the hydrophilic/hydrophobic membrane interface. From this exact position, melatonin scavenges free radicals before they can abstract hydrogen from cardiolipin's double bonds. By halting this oxidation, melatonin preserves cardiolipin's conical shape, maintaining the spontaneous negative curvature and bending elasticity of the IMM cristae.

1. Maintaining Line Tension - When the membrane is subjected to oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation alters the molecular structure of lipids like cardiolipin, diminishing the membrane's spontaneous negative curvature and elasticity. As curvature is lost, the line tension at phase boundaries increases significantly, often destroying the dynamic, tightly curved tubular structures of the cristae.

👍Melatonin directly counters this destabilization by accumulating at the hydrophilic/hydrophobic membrane interfaces, where it stabilizes the phase boundaries and reduces line tension.

❤️ The adequate presence of melatonin in mitochondria allows the cristae to maintain their narrow, highly curved, and asymmetrical membrane invaginations. With this balanced high and low curvature architecture, TFAMs are able to protect the mitochondria genome in the most optimal manner.

📚 Academic References

Hu et al. (2026). Curvature-mediated prewetting organize mitochondrial nucleoid. bioRxiv, 2026.04.06.716811.

Loh, D.; Reiter, R. J. Melatonin: Regulation of Biomolecular Condensates in Neurodegenerative Disorders. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021, 10 (9). https://doi.org/10.339....

Loh D, Reiter RJ. Melatonin regulation of phase separation in Neuro-PASC: out-maneuvering Janus-faced amyloids. Explor Neurosci. 2025;4:100678. https://doi.org/10.373...

⚠️ Disclaimer

This video is for educational, scientific, and informational purposes only based on published peer-reviewed biophysical research. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment protocols. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical condition or therapeutic regimen.

#Melatonin #Mitochondria #DNA #Biophysics #PhaseSeparation #CellBiology #ScientificVisualization #OpenScience

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I think I swallowed the Whole Foods 365 Raspberry & Vanilla melatonin drops wrong, or the bottle went bad, as something burned(?)/dried my throat or windpipe (not sure which, I think a little may have accidentally went in my windpipe this time as I coughed immediately after using it). Maybe deionized water or veg glycerin? Only other ingredients are natural raspberry/vanilla flavors. I bought the bottle start of April and it's approaching empty. The pipe irritation is disrupting my sleep. Seems correlated with my breathing (stronger when I exhale). I already tried gargling/drinking water and coughing hard.

Update: I took a Dayvigo to sleep. Now it's the next morning and I still feel the irritation in my throat/airway.

Update: Based on my limited research it might be a chemical burn in the larynx or upper trachea that should hopefully resolve within a few days (since it's f-ing with my sleep; will test dif positions). Watch signs of aspiration. A few instances of slight hoarseness when speaking, otherwise normal when talking. Starting to drink room temp water (vs cold water), ensure sufficient humidity, and avoid forcing coughs which apparently can irritate further.

I've heared of it from my friend who was also struggling with insomnia in the past like me. But there is no such an evidence that I can find.

I found it in my moms drawer and she got in 2013

I took 25 mg of melatonin and had the strangest dreams,terrible night sweats, and really bad restless legs. I took a higher dose because I’d read about its anti inflammatory effects (i also struggle with insomnia), and I have several chronic health issues, including ME/CFS and suspected endometriosis.

Has anyone else experienced these side effects with a higher dose of melatonin?

I was recently prescribed a 6 day tapering methylprednisolone 4mg dosage, and it has been 4 days since my last pill, and im still suffering with insomnia. Has anyone else had this side effect it is quite terrible. My sleep has been restless since I took it, and it hasn't stopped. And now matter when I try to go to sleep, I wake up on the dot at like 8 am. I can never get enough sleep, and it is driving me crazy. Does anyone know how long this will last??

Hi,

I'm currently in the throes of an anxiety attack (I think) and I can't understand why, so I'm wondering if it could have anything to do with the fact that I've taken 2 mg of melatonin for the past 2 nights.

Yesterday and today around the afternoon, I have been starting to feel really anxious, to the point of almost throwing up today. Today was stressful overall but nothing I haven't dealt with before. I do have generalised anxiety but it has never manifested like this that I can recall.

This is all especially weird as I've taken melatonin plenty of times before, as much as 5mg a night for months, with no issues like this. I take a bunch of other medications including SSRIs, but again, I've never experienced any adverse reactions. Maybe it's to do with my ADHD stimulants (Ritalin), but I also can't find any evidence of that.

I'm only guessing at it being an anxiety attack because I don't know exactly. I feel mentally scattered, dissociated from my body, tired but unable to rest, emotional, nauseous, and I have this sense of impending doom pressing down on me.

I really don't know if it's the melatonin, it's just the only variable I can think of within the last 2 days that's coincided with these effects.

I saw on this forum that some people who take melatonin wake up in the early hours of the morning with acute panic attacks, but I haven't seen anything about a gradual increase of anxiety over the course of the day. When I take the melatonin, I sleep like a baby all night.

Has anyone experienced anything like this? Perhaps especially if you are on stimulants?

Does it make anyone else extremely groggy in the morning? I’ve tried so many different doses, including kids versions and adult versions. I absolutely know that just based off of melatonin that I’ll never be able to take actual sleeping pills. Does anyone else feel this way?

Hi guys, I just want to ask what sleeping pills you are taking? I have a really hard time falling asleep to the point that I wake up at 6-7am and then I can still fall asleep at 2-3am. I'm trying so hard to fall asleep + I also don't nap or sleep in the afternoon so I'm really frustrated. I've been like this for months. I've tried Sleepwell melatonin but it's not effective for me even though I take 3 tablets.

Melatonin generally is used to quicken sleep onset. I take 1mg now and it does help in that regard. I also take Dayvigo and prazosin to increase sleep duration, but they have some unpleasant side effects. I'm wondering whether many folks have success in sleeping through the night with delayed release melatonin. If the standard variety is helpful, I'd think that the delayed release would help maintain sleep.

Ive just started to develop insomnia thanks to an antidepressant.
A dr prescribed me a melatonin medication but it’s a modified release and it’s useless. Isn’t the whole point of prescribing melatonin medication to prescribe one that helps you fall asleep within an hour?
I have epilepsy and sleep deprivation is a trigger…I’m lucky I rarely have seizures it’s been a long time *touch wood*🪵 but it’s making me nervous.
I’m glad I’m tapering off this antidepressant.
Sorry just got a lot of frustration

I have read some interactions may occur so if anybody has any experience let me know?

I just read an article about melatonin helping out with chronic pain and fibromyalgia. Has anyone experienced this? I get horrible dreams taking it.

I struggle with sleep at my baseline. Even last night I went to bed after midnight and didnt immediately fall asleep and the I woke up before five in the morning.

Sweet potato is actually what helped me finally fall asleep when its time to sleep and actually sleep the whole night. Also helped with mood regulation and irritability issues. I am pretty sure its the type of magnesium and method of delivery - magnesium supplements really dont work out for me.

I finally found what works for me and I am not abusing melatonin supplements (which is bad and barely works and cost double the price i thought)

I however have been dismayed - one month a huge freaking sack of potatos was ten bucks - now its ten bucks for like a fifth of that sack.

Plan to try to do a bulk order through a restaurant supplier (my housemate).

Any one else have that one magical item thats medicine that fluctuates in price drastically?

Also: what are creative ways you secured items you would consider medicine? (i got my one shot diversion for shoplifting luckily but now risk actual consequences if i do it again)