Melatonin will give you weird dreams.

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weird-dream
Credit:  In Eredia’s Room

I’ve been taking melatonin (a natural hormone produced by the human pineal gland that controls the sleep/wake cycle and circadian rhythms) to control my SAD symptoms.  It’s working, but there is a side effect — very weird and vivid dreams.    This isn’t as unpleasant as it seems.  Some of the dreams are interesting, if not entirely pleasant.   One I had last night seemed important enough I’m going to talk about it in therapy this week.  I was still half asleep when I scribbled it down so I would remember later.

There’s a reason for this.  Scientific evidence has shown that melatonin releases small amounts of dimethyltryptamine (DMT) from the pineal gland.  DMT is a powerful (actually the most powerful) psychedelic drug, and also the only one that is naturally produced in the human (and other mammalian) brain and is likely responsible for both dreaming and near-death experiences (NDE’s).

Melatonin is fairly safe and won’t make you high or cause you to trip.  But if you want to remember your dreams more easily or have more interesting dreams, it might just do the trick.  You might not get as much sleep though, because you’ll be waking up from dreams more often.   It has been effective for my SAD.  I haven’t felt as depressed since I’ve been taking it, even though I’m probably getting less sleep.

Even though it’s available without a prescription, it’s always a good idea to check with your doctor before taking any hormonal supplement.

12 thoughts on “Melatonin will give you weird dreams.”

  2. I know we all dream every night, but I can only remember having one dream in the last five years. I can say I don’t miss them. The melatonin sounds great for reducing SAD, but not sure I want to take on the dream part.

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  6. I took melatonin for sleep several years ago. Because of my bipolar (and tendency to escalate easily in earlier years), the melatonin actually gave me horrid nightmares….when I was able to sleep at all. It wasn’t a good fit for me. However, I do know people who swear by it and I am glad they have something. I have to be very careful about any medications I take (even some antihistamines will cause anxiety and panic attacks). I am glad it works for you. I would prefer weird dreams over insomnia any day!

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  7. I was just reading about how doctors are seeing a link between depression and chronic inflammation. The best cure for that is to go ketogenic (that is to cut out non-fibrous carbs and increase healthy fats.)

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