Link: https://old.reddit.com/r/tifu/comments/1teao07/tifu_by_constantly_eating_melatonin_chewables_as/

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The original was posted on /r/tifu by /u/selahscorpse on 2026-05-15 22:02:47+00:00.

This is basically an angry vent post, but whatever.

I’ve dealt with chronic insomnia and have been on prescribed sleeping pills since I was twelve. I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue two years ago and recently had a sleep study preformed where I learned I had a melatonin deficiency. Apparently, their best guess as for why I’ve had sleep issues so long is because I downed AT LEAST five of those bitches every night for years since I was seven and have developed a reliance on it. Those were basically my flint stone vitamin gummies. Because little me couldn’t resist those chalky bricks, I have to take four sleep pills every night and can’t fall asleep without them. I’m pissed & tired.

TL;DR: I had too many melatonin chewables as a kid and now my sleep schedule is permanently screwed and I have to take sleeping pills.

EDIT: A lot of people are giving me unsolicited medical advice, and while I appreciate the concern, I don’t need it. I’m happy with the medication I’m on currently.

EDIT 2: I’m worried this post might’ve scared people off of melatonin, so I’ll clarify some things real quick:

1. Taking melatonin occasionally isn’t going to ruin your brain. I took a minimum of 25mg every night from ages 7-11 years old. That dose is extremely high for an adult, let alone a developing child. Most melatonin chewables come in 3mg, taking one or two of those when you can’t sleep isn’t bad AT ALL. Melatonin is something that your brain creates, so taking a pill that helps increase that isn’t bad at all. Please don’t take this post to heart, it’s an extremely rare case with other factors besides melatonin that contributed to my sleep disorders.
2. Don’t demonize parents who give their children melatonin. If you know someone who gives their child melatonin sometimes, don’t try to scare them away with this post. My parents were neglectful as fuck which is what led to me taking so many. If a parent is giving their child melatonin because they can’t sleep, it’s most likely because they’re concerned about their child. This doesn’t mean we should be giving a shit ton of pills to babies, but there’s a reason why some over the counter medications are labeled for kids as well. If your child is having trouble sleeping and nothing else is working, talk to your doctor about melatonin. Just because this extremely rare thing happened to me doesn’t mean it will happen to your child.
3. There is no concrete evidence that you can develop a dependency on melatonin. Once again, I am an extremely rare case of childhood melatonin abuse leading to sleep issues in adulthood. Don’t be scared of medication that is made to help you. If you have side effects from them, stop taking it immediately. Please know that everyone’s body is different and your experience with melatonin might not be another persons experience.
4. If you need sleep medication, talk to your doctor. Take care of your body.