Took 1mg xanax (i never take xanax normally) at 530pm and had recurring nightmares all night long that i felt i couldn't wake from. is this normal?

Can happen: This is a drug that enters your brain and effects how it works. It can effect different individuals quite differently. It may have worked for you as expected at a much lower dose or you may never be able to tolerate the drug. It should be out of your system now. I would consult with the prescribing doc & consider never using it again.