Hey Platinum, welcome to the site.

Melatonin I have yet to try (if I try it at all).

I'd try sticking to the natural stuff and vitamins before going into the more "drug" category.

Here's a link to a combination (or "cocktail") that has worked for me numerous (but not every) times. This link is from another member who's been trying a different combination of the same idea.

Both are basically based on using the B6 vitamin along with some other "helpers". Magnesium is said to act like an enhancer for vitamin B, and Valerian is primarily a sleeping aid rather than a dream inducer (at least I think).

NOTE: There really is no drug or vitamin that will give you a lucid dream - the only thing this method can do is give you vivid dreams that merely give you the oportunity to become lucid. Also, too mch of anything is not good - even healthy vitamins.

Another thing, I've noticed that I get better results if I don't take the "cocktail" every night. I'll go to sleep clean for a few nights, then take the vitamin combo for a couple nights. Then off another few days, then back again.

Good luck, man!

PS-- NE Ohio eh? Cool, I'm in C-Town myself. Too bad you weren't around last month when a few of us got together up at Mentor Headlands.