Hi, I was introduced to melatonin by my doc. I suffer from insomnia. You are right it's not a sleep initiator, which means that you won't feel crazy drowsy soon after taking it. For that you need a prescription based sleeping pill. Xanax etc are benzodiazepines, that the body gets dependent on, over time and in that respect may prove to be dangerous. Zolpiderm is what I have been taking for the last 5 years, and it's as effective as it was on the first day. But that is a prescription based, sleeping pill, so don't just take it without a doctors say so. Same goes for xanax and Valium.

My suggestion would be to stick with melatonin, it is quite effective in flights and to counter jet lag. Many of my friends have tried it too and vouched for it. The higher potency, sleeping pills are good for those like me who have difficulty falling asleep at all. And don't worry it's not a hormone that will wreak havoc on your system, it's totally safe. If you do go for it, take the 3 mg strength. The higher potency will not make it any more effective.

Have a safe flight!