i stayed awake when i took melatonin, i often stay awake even when i'm exhausted.
That was my problem with taking Melatonin. It fired me up and made sleeep impossible.
After a bit of research, I discovered the the latest interpretation of what Melatonin actually does is that, it triggers the "sundown response" in the mind, which includes other neuro responses as well. It doesn't actually make you sleep. Most people slow down and prepare for sleep at sundown, so helping yourself to respond to sundown means slowing down "to most people."
But, I happen to be a nightowl and I have always gotten a charge out of sundown. Triggering my sundown response means a speedy jump of energy and increased interest in activities. That sort of makes sense to me, anyway.
Are you a nightowl or was it Star Trek that fired you up and nothing to do with your Melatonin?