Citation: Antidrug. "Anxious Night: An Experience with Melatonin (exp77971)". Erowid.org. Feb 20, 2019. erowid.org/exp/77971
A friend recommended melatonin to me, as I had been going to bed later and later and seemed unable to get back to a decent 'non-am' bedtime.
I was told it would take effect in 20-30 minutes, so I took the pill around 10pm. I checked email on my laptop, in bed, with the lights off. At 10:30, I put the laptop away, and fell immediately asleep.
I woke up around 1, 2, 3:30 and 5am, everytime the same: intense anxiety. My skin wasn't actually itchy, but I had an intense desire to scratch it all off. I felt an overwhelming need to urinate, but once in the bathroom, discovered I had no liquid in me. There was a sexual anxiety as well, like if I could just have an orgasm, everything would be ok. But I couldn't. My body kept tensing and relaxing, I kept balling my fists.
My body kept tensing and relaxing, I kept balling my fists.
I wanted badly to scream, cry, or run or all 3, but I had roommates and was trying very hard not to wake or bother them.
Also, I rarely ever dream, maybe once every 4 months or so. I had several vivid dreams that night, and by the time morning arrived, I felt like I hadn't slept at all-- either I had been awake and wildly anxious, or I had been asleep and living through dreams.
I haven't taken any melatonin since. The late-night anxiety is FAR worse than a later-than-desired bedtime will ever be.
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