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These options worked well but weren’t as consistently effective as our top picks. I still recommend giving them a shot since everyone’s body reacts differently to the active ingredients in these over-the-counter sleep aids.
Rebalance Dream Sleep Mints (Melatonin-Free; 31-Pack) for $46:
These melatonin-free mints dissolve slowly and feature natural sleep-inducing ingredients like L-theanine, L-tryptophan, GABA, and slow-release Reishi mushroom. You can take up to three lozenges per night. I found it took three mints before I felt any calming effects. I appreciate the concept of a slowly melting mint, but I’m currently trying the version with melatonin to see how it compares.
Photograph: Molly Higgins
Olly Sleep Gummy for $17:
Olly is a trendy brand known for its viral gummy supplements on platforms like TikTok, and they sell out quickly. These blackberry-flavored gummies have a touch of mint, contain 3 milligrams of melatonin, L-theanine for reducing anxiety, and botanicals like chamomile, passionflower, and lemon balm extract. (While melatonin is generally considered safe for pregnant individuals, consulting a doctor is recommended.) The first time I tried these, I fell asleep easily. I woke up around 2 a.m. and took two more to get back to sleep. However, the next night after taking two, I didn’t feel as sleepy, so I went up to four gummies (6 milligrams) and managed to sleep after about an hour, but again woke up in the middle of the night. With many people, including those in my life, raving about these Olly sleep gummies, I expected more.
Kona Sea Salt Deep Ocean Magnesium Water Drops for $12:
Kona’s sleep and relaxation products feature magnesium sourced from Hawaii’s deep ocean waters to promote better sleep and muscle relaxation. I tried several of their offerings, including the Calm Mineral Spa Bath ($8) and Deep Ocean Magnesium Mist ($18), but found the drops to be the most effective. You only need one drop per ounce of drinking water, and it absorbs quickly with potential benefits like regulating the sleep-wake cycle without causing a hangover. While the taste is pretty neutral with only a hint of salt, it didn’t provide the consistent sleepy effects I was hoping for like some other picks.
Osea Vagus Nerve Pillow Mist for $38:
This mist aims to create a calming atmosphere to help you wind down before bed. It targets the vagus nerve, which activates the body’s relaxation response. Each spray delivers a soothing blend of essential oils like juniper berry, lavender, lemon tea tree, chamomile, and Moroccan rosemary to help you relax. The scent is hard to pin down but is light with herbal and citrus notes that made me want to spray it all over my pillows and linens. It might have been a placebo effect, but using this mist made me feel cozy and more ready for sleep.
Not Effective (for Me)
Photograph: Molly Higgins
Earthing Pillow Cover for $140:
I have to admit I’m puzzled by this product. It’s designed to connect you to the Earth’s natural electrons, which supposedly helps keep you “grounded” for better sleep. Earthing’s website claims this grounding rejuvenates, reduces inflammation, and reconnects you with the Earth. In reality, it’s a synthetic, faux leather cover infused with carbon that needs to be plugged in during sleep. There’s even a massive safety warning and an outlet safety test to prevent electrical fires while you sleep, which is comforting, right? I found the material uncomfortably hot and sticky, and I woke up feeling anything but grounded.
Canary Nighttime Nourisher (60-Pack) for $18:
I hate to say it, especially since I enjoy Canary’s other products, but these sleep gummies didn’t do it for me. They’re vegan and made with tart cherry, ashwagandha, chamomile, and lemon balm. While they taste great (like all Canary gummies), I didn’t experience any noticeable sleepy effects.
BodyHealth Sleep for $42:
You take three capsules before bed, which is quite a lot to swallow. These capsules include “Perfect Amino” (undefined), taurine, vitamin C, L-theanine, L-glycine, 5-HTP, L-glutamine, GABA, and 3 milligrams of melatonin. These large pills were difficult for me to take and caused acid reflux every time. Though they might have increased sleepiness, I was too focused on my heartburn to notice.
What Else Can I Try Besides Sleep Aids?
Before rushing to the store for a quick fix, Monica Baena, an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner at the George Washington Center for Sleep Disorders, suggests establishing good sleep hygiene. This means sticking to a sleep schedule, setting a bedtime routine, avoiding screens, alcohol, and bright lights before bed, along with ensuring you get physical activity during the day and addressing any health issues contributing to insomnia. Part of the bedtime routine involves optimizing your bedroom environment to suit your personal preferences, whether that’s adjusting the temperature or using sleep masks or sound machines.
What Are the Risks of Sleep Aids?
“There is potential for both dependence and tolerance with sleep medications—these are meant for short-term use,” says Hannah Sagedy, a physician assistant at the George Washington Center for Sleep Disorders. While sleep aids can help initiate and maintain sleep, Sagedy points out some serious possible side effects, like grogginess and memory issues. They can also increase the risk of abnormal sleep behaviors like sleepwalking or sleep-eating. Generally, people shouldn’t drive or operate machinery while using sleep aids or mix them with alcohol. Anyone—especially pregnant individuals or those with preexisting conditions—should consult their doctor before use. The FDA only approves specific prescription medications for insomnia, like Ambien, along with over-the-counter options that often contain just variations of two main ingredients: doxylamine and diphenhydramine. It’s important to note that OTC medications aren’t regulated as stringently as prescription medications, and some active ingredients like doxylamine have been linked to a higher risk of dementia.
What Are Some of the Common Ingredients in OTC Sleep Aids?
While these should be used in moderation, there are certain ingredients commonly believed to promote healthy sleep that show up in many sleep aids on this list. Let’s take a quick look:
- Doxylamine: Found in OTC medications like Unisom, this is one of the most common sleep aids and is also used for nausea during pregnancy and allergic rhinitis. It tends to linger in your system longer, making a morning grogginess more likely.
- Diphenhydramine: Present in OTC products like Benadryl and ZzzQuil, this is another widely used sleep aid that can also treat allergies. Both diphenhydramine and doxylamine work similarly and share similar side effects.
- Melatonin: A naturally occurring hormone that helps regulate your internal clock by signaling that it’s time to sleep. Baena explains, “Melatonin is released by the pineal gland in response to darkness and helps time your circadian rhythms.” Sagedy cautions that melatonin can cause side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, headaches, and vivid dreams. While it helps regulate sleep-wake cycles, it is considered a dietary supplement in the U.S. and thus is not as tightly regulated by the FDA as meds.
Melatonin is generally deemed safe for pregnant people and children at low doses, but it’s best to consult a doctor before use. Other common ingredients include:
- Vitamin B6: Thought to aid melatonin production.
- Magnesium: Helps regulate the nervous system and melatonin production.
- L-theanine: An amino acid that promotes relaxation.
- GABA: An amino acid that calms the brain.
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