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In spite of the wide variety of drugs available for treating anxiety, this disorder continues to represent a worldwide health problem that is classified within the first 10 causes of disability. New antianxiety agents not related to benzodiazepines are being proposed to face this problem. Even though melatonin has been prescribed as an anxiolytic drug, its use is currently reduced due to its short half‐life and photo‐sensitivity, among other disadvantages. The present study explores the antianxiety properties of a new 1‐N substituted melatonin analogue, M3C, in pinealectomized rats submitted to two behavioral tests (the cumulative burying behavior paradigm and the elevated plus‐maze). Results from both tests show that M3C is effective as an anxiolytic agent, at doses lower than any other melatonin analogue previously reported. The blocking of these actions by luzindole, a melatoninergic antagonist showing a high affinity for MT2 receptors, suggests a mechanism independent of MT1 receptors. Grant Funding Source: Supported by COFAA and SIP‐IPN