The Best Over-the-Counter Sleep Aids (2026), Tested and Reviewed | WIREDSkip to main contentMenuSECURITYPOLITICSTHE BIG STORYBUSINESSSCIENCECULTUREREVIEWSMenuAccountAccountNewslettersBest Office ChairsBone Conduction HeadphonesBest Digital NotebooksBest Motorola PhonesTCL DealDeals DeliveredSecurityPoliticsThe Big StoryBusinessScienceCultureReviewsChevronMoreExpandThe Big InterviewMagazineEventsWIRED InsiderWIRED ConsultingNewslettersPodcastsVideoMerchSearchSearchSign InSign InMolly HigginsGearJan 23, 2026 8:31 AMThe Best Over-the-Counter Sleep AidsI tested an array of alternative sleep aids, from gummies to wearable patches, to see if they would help my chronic insomnia.CommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyFeatured in this articleBest Melatonin GummyLemme Sleep Tight GummiesRead more$30 AmazonBest Mushroom Sleep Aid GummyCharlotte's Web Quiet Sleep Mushroom GummiesRead more$35 Charlotte's WebBest Oral SprayOnnit Instant Melatonin MistRead more$13 $10 (23% off) ONNITBest Melatonin Powdered DrinkSom Sleep Powder Drink MixRead more$22 Amazonthese days there seems to be a never-ending list of over-the-counter sleep aids and alternative products touted to help you get a full night’s rest. And sleep aids work differently for different people, so you should try a myriad of products before settling on one.I've had trouble with insomnia since I was a child. After years of dependence on medications, I wanted to try an alternative over-the-counter sleep aid that would take a gentler approach to falling asleep. None of the sleep aids on this list has the common medications found in prescription or over-the-counter medicines (more on that below), and many on this list include supplements like magnesium, functional mushrooms, and melatonin.During testing, I cut out all of my other usual sleep aids and tried to have the same nighttime routine in order to compare the individual products. I tested more than a dozen of these, each for a week, from edibles and drinks to sprays and apps, to see which ones helped me fall—and stay—asleep.Check out our many other sleep-related guides, including the Best Mattresses, Best Sleep Trackers, Best Pillows, and Best Bed Sheets for a great night’s sleep.Jump to a SectionAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronOthers TestedNot RecommendedWhat Else Can I Try Besides Sleep Aids?What Are the Risks of Sleep Aids?What Are Some of the Common Ingredients in OTC Sleep Aids?Updated January 2026: We've added BonPatch Sleep Wearable Patches, The Absorption Company Sleep Powdered Drink, and ImmunizeLabs DeepSleep Formula. We've also updated prices and links throughout.Best Melatonin GummyPhotograph: Molly HigginsCourtesy of LemmeChevronChevronLemmeSleep Tight Gummies$30 Amazon$30 Ulta$33 Target$30 LemmeI hate to admit this, but for better or worse, I heart Kourtney Kardashian's gummies. Why is a reality TV personality hawking wellness aids? Because we all died in 2020 and this is hell. But, these gummies work so well. Each gummy has L-theanine, magnesium, an herbal blend of chamomile, lavender, and elderberry, and 5 milligrams of melatonin (which I admit, is a little above the recommended dosage). They are a yummy berry flavor that doesn't taste too artificial or overly sweet, and I found myself feeling tired within about 45 minutes after taking them, without feeling any sort of grogginess in the AM.How it worksL-Theanine; magnesium; an herbal blend of chamomile, lavender, and elderberry; 5 milligrams of melatoninAlternative: Olly Sleep Gummy for $17: Olly is a super-trendy brand whose gummy supplements consistently go viral on social media like TikTok and sell out fast. These are tasty: blackberry flavored with a hint of mint, and they contain 3 milligrams of melatonin; L-theanine, which eases anxiety and promotes a healthy sleep cycle; and botanicals like chamomile, passionflower, and lemon balm extract. The first time I took these gummies, I felt the effects and fell asleep easily. I woke up around 2 am and took two more and eventually got back to bed. Throughout testing, results weren't consistent and sometimes I had to double the dosage to fully feel the effects.Best Mushroom Sleep Aid GummyPhotograph: Molly HigginsCharlotte's WebQuiet Sleep Mushroom Gummies$35 Charlotte's WebThese vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO blackberry lemon gummies have some of our favorite non-melatonin ingredients like magnesium, reishi mushrooms, and chamomile to help ease you into a sleepy state. The idea is that the reishi will help regulate and promote healthy sleep patterns over time (without an additive like melatonin), while the added supplements will aid in helping spur immediate sleepiness. Charlotte's Web has a whole slew of other health and sleep gummies, and I've been a fan of all those I've tested.How it worksMagnesium, reishi mushrooms, and chamomileAlternative: Nightcap from Alice for $36: Like the mushroom gummy above, this mushroom chocolate aims to aid in nighttime relaxation while also regulating sleep cycles long-term. These chocolates also have added chamomile, L-theanine, magnesium, and zinc to lessen tension and promote relaxation and stress relief for more immediate results. (Alice’s products are designed for adults and haven’t been extensively tested with children, teens, pregnant people, or those breastfeeding.) Alice’s chocolates are vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and kosher, and also come in Brainstorm, to aid in energy and focus, and Happy Ending, for arousal and pleasure.Best Oral SprayPhotograph: Molly HigginsCourtesy of OnnitChevronChevronOnnitInstant Melatonin Mist$13 $10 (23% off) ONNIT$13 $10 (23% off) AmazonThis spray delivers melatonin straight to the source by delivering six pumps, equal to about 3 milligrams of melatonin, directly into your mouth. It comes in lavender and mint flavors, and since it’s directly absorbed, the spray is fast-acting, taking around half an hour to take effect. (Melatonin is generally considered safe for pregnant people, but a doctor should be consulted before use if you are pregnant.) The first day of testing, I felt the effects in closer to an hour rather than half an hour, but it was a noticeable, nice wave of sleepiness. Both flavors were good and it was effective. I’m a fan.How it works3 milligrams of melatonin via oral sprayBest Melatonin Powdered DrinkPhotograph: Molly HigginsCourtesy of SomChevronChevronSom SleepPowder Drink Mix$22 AmazonThis powder comes in cherry and berry, and both flavors are super tasty, similar to Vitaminwater. The mixture is made with five sleep-aiding ingredients that were present in most of the other edible products on this list: vitamin B6, magnesium, L-theanine, GABA, and 3 milligrams of melatonin. Each package has 10 sticks that just need to be stirred into water, and Som is sugar-free, vegan, non-GMO, and gluten- and allergen-free. It took closer to an hour to feel sleepy, but this was the most effective powder mix aid in helping ease me into sleep.How it worksVitamin B6; magnesium; L-theanine; GABA; 3 milligrams of melatoninAlternative: Raw Sleep Formula for $36: This mix-in powder uses lemon balm extract, hawthorn leaf, NooGandha, melatonin, magnesium, B6, and vitamin C. I found this drink to be basically as effective as Som above, but it has a grainy mouthfeel and artificial, super sweet flavor that wasn't my favorite.Best Melatonin-Free Powdered DrinkPhotograph: Molly HigginsCourtesy of AmazonChevronChevronThe Absorption CompanySleep$24 Amazon (7-Pack)$80 $72 (10% off) The Absorption Company (28-Pack)The Absorption Company makes a few wellness powdered drinks, including Calm, which I also tested. Instead of using melatonin additives, it has several natural amino acids and herbal supplements to more naturally promote deep sleep without grogginess or forming dependency. It uses many familiar natural ingredients (amino acids) like L-theanine, L-glycine, L-tryptophan, GABA, and magnesium to support sleep quality and deep sleep. It also uses relaxing herbs and natural edibles like chamomile, passionflower, saffron, and tart cherry to promote relaxation and help induce sleep. You just need to add one stick to around 8 ounces of water, and effects should be felt in 45 minutes to one hour. The chamomile lemonade is an unexpected orangish hue and is extremely tart (the flavor was a little too citic acidy). Despite the sour flavor, I found this powder to be consistently effective.How it worksL-theanine, L-glycine, L-trytophan, GABA, magnesium, and other calming herbs like chamomile and tart cherrryAlternative: Everyday Alchemist Deep Sleep Solution for $55: This melatonin-free powder sleep aid has great branding and came with a cute reusable glass straw and stirring spoon. The powder is a striking icy cool blue when combined with water (one scoop per 4 ounces of water) and has a hard-to-pinpoint lemon elderflower flavor. It has magnesium, L-theanine, glycine (amino acid), and inositol (B vitamin that helps with regulating body function). It's a bit hard to stir completely in, and it can have a bit of a grainy mouthfeel. Overall, I liked this powder, but I found I generally had to double the doses to feel a sleepy effect.Best Melatonin Wearable PatchPhotograph: Molly HigginsCourtesy of BarriereChevronChevronBarrièreMelatonin Sleep Patch$13 Barrière$13 Ulta$13 Walmart$13 AnthropologieThese dainty, gold moon-embossed melatonin sleep patches go right on the skin before bed. Each patch contains 2 mg of melatonin, designed to release slowly throughout the night by seeping through your largest organ—the skin—to ease you into a more gradual snooze. (Each pack includes 36 patches.) I liked the convenience of these tiny patches. They're lightweight, portable, and nearly invisible on the skin. They're super cute, but they're so tiny I sometimes forget to take them off in the morning. Overall, this is a solid option if you don't want an ingestible sleep aid.How it works2 mg melatoninAlternative: Deeps Nightly Sleep Patch for $45: You slap this sticky wearable patch to your wrist (alternate nightly), and sleep-inducing ingredients release throughout the night to help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer without a hangover. The breathable material is infused with herbals like ashwagandha, valerian root, lavender, L-theanine, passion flower, lemon balm, and 4 milligrams of melatonin. I felt very subtle sleepy effects about an hour after putting it on, but twice during testing it fell off mid-sleep and sometimes it wasn't super effective at helping me stay asleep all night.Best Melatonin-Free Wearable PatchesPhotograph: Molly HigginsCourtesy of BonPatchChevronChevronBonPatchSleep Wearable Patches$40 BonPatch (30-Pack)These melatonin-free wearable sleep-aid patches come in a 30-pack. Just fold along the dotted line, separate the paper patches, peel off the clear sticker, and adhere the patch to your skin before sleep. The BonPatch Sleep sticky wellness patch is infused with valerian, passionflower, purified hemp extract, and lavender essential oil. All of these natural herbal ingredients help promote and support more restful sleep, without using chemicals or melatonin. Once you put the patch on your skin, rub gently to help release the oils; the lavender scent is strong and helps me feel instantly more relaxed. My only qualm is that the invisible sticker can be a little difficult to remove from the paper, but this is a solid option for someone who doesn't want to ingest before bed or use melatonin.How it worksValerian, passionflower, purified hemp extract, hops, and lavender essential oilAlternative: Restore Sleep Patch for $42: I'll admit, when I read that these wearable sleep patches attempt to help sleep through vibrations and energy, my eyes rolled so far back in my head I went blind for a moment. Brand Restore makes wellness patches for a myriad of issues, like migraine and anxiety relief and improving energy. This patch sets itself apart by using “transfer of energy” to “embed unique frequencies and energetic signatures” onto the copper foil that's on the adhesive material. The brand claims a subtle vibration effect occurs that helps reduce or eliminate “overly excited energetic states in the body.” Maybe it's physics, maybe it's psychosomatic, but I really did have an easier time falling asleep and staying asleep with these.Best Canned DrinkPhotograph: Molly HigginsCourtesy of BrézChevronChevronBrezDream Drink$40 Amazon$40 Brez (8-Pack)I'm actually so obsessed with this sparkling mushroom drink. It comes in a can and tastes almost like an infused black tea. The adaptogen tonic (top pick overall in our guide to adaptogen drinks) has reishi (functional mushrooms), passionflower, chamomile, and magnesium. It uses functional botanicals and nootropics to gently ease you into a more relaxed state. Drinking one of these before bed became one of my favorite parts of the day, and not only was it super tasty, but worked extremely well to get me more relaxed before sleep.How it worksReishi, passionflower, chamomile, and magnesiumBest WearablePhotograph: Molly HigginsPhotograph: Molly HigginsPhotograph: Molly HigginsChevronChevronSomneeSleep Headband$489 SomneeThis wearable sleep tech headband aims to map the brain using EEG (electroencephalogram) sensors to deliver individualized therapeutic stimulation to help promote sleep. (I tested this for months; read my full review here.) Constant, very low electrical currents (1 milliampere at 5 to 10 hertz) deliver stimulations to the brain via hydrogel electrodes on the forehead to evoke sleepiness and promote healthier sleep at night. Somnee claims the stimulation is personalized in real time, responding and shifting based on my brain’s rhythms to optimize my brain for a restful night’s sleep. The wearable tech is connected to an app where you can monitor the “phase” of the session you’re in, view session reports, log your sleep in a journal, and track sleep trends over time. I found that this worked best for establishing a good bedtime routine to improve my sleep hygiene overall.How it worksLow electrical currents deliver stimulations to evoke sleepiness; soothing sounds; sleep journal and logBest AppCourtesy of SoaakSoaakApp$5 Soaak (Per Month)This app uses frequency therapy for different things like helping you sleep well, reducing stress, decreasing anxiety, boosting energy, and more. Each frequency has options for “original” (meaning just the frequency itself plays), “nature,” and “music.” I used the Sleep Well frequency, which claims to help you fall asleep faster, reduce tossing and turning, achieve deeper REM sleep, and wake up more refreshed. Each of the three sound options you can play in tandem with another video or audio source, like Spotify, to have the frequency sounds playing in the background of what you already listen to. The nature option for Sleep Well has become my go-to when falling asleep, as the noises pleasantly guide me to dreamworld. If you’re someone who already needs to fall asleep with a white noise machine, I’d try out this upgrade.How it worksFrequency therapyOthers TestedThese were effective, but not as consistently so as the above picks. I'd still encourage others to try since bodies react differently to the active ingredients in these over-the-counter sleep aids.Photograph: Molly HigginsAGZ Nightly Sleep Support for $99: I tested AGZ's chocolate and mint flavors, which come with a frother, and you can blend the powder with water or milk, either warm or cold (although I think it tastes the best with milk, like a frothy hot cocoa). The drink doesn't taste overly sweet and has a nice, rich chocolate taste. The mix is melatonin-free, instead with adaptogens, herbs, and minerals, including magnesium, vitamin B6, L-theanine, ashwagandha, and calming herbs. Because of the magnesium and L-theanine, my body felt more calm before bed throughout testing, but it didn't consistently push me over to full-on sleepiness.Photograph: Molly HigginsRebalance Dream Sleep Mints (Melatonin-Free; 31-Pack) for $46: These melatonin-free mints are designed to slowly dissolve, with natural sleep-inducing ingredients like L-theanine, L-tryptophan, GABA, and slow-release Reishi mushroom. You can take up to three lozenges every night, and it took me three to feel any sort of calming effects. I like the idea of a slow-melting mint alternative, but I'm currently testing the version with melatonin to see how it stacks up against the melatonin-free version.Natrol Melatonin Gummies for $9: These have 10 milligrams of melatonin, which is about triple the recommended dosage, and they don't have any of the other sleep-boosting ingredients found often in other sleep gummies. The strawberry flavor has sort of a grainy mouthfeel. But, they are cheap and worked effectively within half an hour.Kona Sea Salt Deep Ocean Magnesium Water Drops for $12: Kona's line of sleep and relaxation products use ocean magnesium from Hawaii to support improved sleep and muscle relaxation. I tried a whole host of Kona Sea Salt's Hawaiian water products, including Calm Mineral Spa Bath ($8) and Deep Ocean Magnesium Mist ($18), but I found the drops to be most effective, although I still regularly spray the magnesium mist before bed. You just need to use one drop per one ounce of drinking water, and it supposedly quickly absorbs into the body, with a host of supposed benefits like regulating the sleep-wake cycle and promoting deeper sleep without a hangover. It doesn't really taste like anything except slightly salty, but it didn't deliver solid, consistent sleepy results like other picks above.Photograph: Molly HigginsOsea Vagus Nerve Pillow Mist for $20: This spray aims to create a calming atmosphere to help regulate and prepare the mind and body before bed. The longest cranial nerve in the body, the vagus nerve activates the body's relaxation response to help regulate stress. Each spray of this mist releases a soothing essential oil blend of juniper berry, lavender, lemon tea tree, chamomile, and Moroccan rosemary to help relax the mind and body. The smell is almost hard to describe—it’s light, with slight herbal and citrus notes that made me want to douse all of my pillows and bed linens. It may have been a placebo effect, but this triggered something in me that made me feel like I was in a spa, and I always felt noticeably more relaxed, cozier, and ready for bed.Not RecommendedPhotograph: Molly HigginsEarthing Pillow Cover for $130: This grounding pillowcase is supposed to serve as a sort of conduit for Earth's natural electrons, which are supposed to lead to more restful sleep. According to Earthing's website, this electron grounding is supposed to “rejuvenate, reduce inflammation,” and help you “reconnect with the earth.” In actuality, it's a synthetic, plasticky faux-leather pillow cover infused with carbon pigment, which needs to be plugged in while you sleep. There is a strong safety warning, and it even comes with an outlet safety test to ensure it doesn't cause an electrical fire while you sleep. So, that's reassuring. I found the faux leather material to be way too hot, sticky, and uncomfortable, and I woke up feeling very much Not Grounded.Photograph: Molly HigginsImmunizeLabs DeepSleep Formula for $129: These capsules use a blend of valerian root, GABA, L-theanine, melatonin, magnesium, glycine, and other ingredients like amino acids and herbs to promote faster sleep onset, reduce racing thoughts, relax the nervous system, and support a healthy REM cycle. You'll need to take three capsules about 30 minutes before bed. These worked very well; I felt sleepy and slept deeply throughout testing. The pills are gigantic, however, and you'll need to take them one at a time (and I could feel them in my esophagus). But more than anything, I can't recommend them, because they don't give the consumer any detailed information about the actual serving size of the ingredients. It just lists a “proprietary multi-pathway blend” but doesn't detail the number of ingredients listed. It feels a bit unsafe to not be fully sure of the amounts of what I’m ingesting. Plus, the price point is flat-out egregious.Canary Nighttime Nourisher (60-Pack) for $18: I hate to do this, because all of Canary's products are so darn tasty, but I didn't feel the effects of these sleep gummies. These vegan tart cherry gummies use natural ingredients like ashwagandha, chamomile, and lemon balm for a more natural foray into relaxation. Although they are super tasty (like every gummy supplement I've had from Canary), I didn't feel any noticeable sleepy effects while taking these.BodyHealth Sleep for $36: A serving size of three capsules are enhanced with “Perfect Amino” (BodyHealth gives no information about what it actually is), taurine, vitamin C, L-theanine, L-glycine, 5-HTP (I-5-hydroxytryptophan, which is often used for depression, with less evidence for helping insomnia); L-glutamine and GABA (amino acids), and 3 milligrams of melatonin. These horse pills were so hard for me to swallow, and gave me acid reflux symptoms every time I took them. They may have helped to increase sleepiness, but I was too focused on my heartburn to noticeWhat Else Can I Try Besides Sleep Aids?AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronBefore just running to the store for a quick fix, Monica Baena, adult-gerontology nurse practitioner at the George Washington Center for Sleep Disorders, recommends establishing good sleep hygiene. This includes keeping a set sleep schedule, creating a bedtime routine, and avoiding screen time, alcohol, and bright lights before bed, as well as making sure you’re getting physical activity during the day and caring for any other health issues that may contribute to insomnia.Part of the importance of creating a bedtime routine is making sure your bedroom is optimal for your personal sleeping preferences, whether that's temperature or using a sleep mask or a sound machine—whatever is going to make your environment more conducive to a restful sleep.What Are the Risks of Sleep Aids?AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron“There is a potential for both dependence and tolerance to sleep medication—these medications are intended to be for short-term use,” says Hannah Sagedy, physician assistant at the George Washington Center for Sleep Disorders. Though sleep aids can be helpful at times to initiate and maintain sleep, Sagedy outlines some of their more serious potential side effects, like grogginess and memory issues. They can even increase the risk for abnormal sleep behaviors like sleepwalking or sleep-eating.As a general rule, people shouldn’t drive or operate machinery while on sleep aids or mix them with alcohol, and everyone—especially pregnant people or those with preexisting medical conditions—should consult their doctor before use. The FDA only endorses prescription medications for insomnia like Ambien, as well as over-the-counter medications, which often are just variations of the same two active ingredients: doxylamine and diphenhydramine. However, OTC meds are not regulated in the same way prescription drugs are. Some of the active ingredients, like doxylamine, have actually been shown to increase the risk of dementia.What Are Some of the Common Ingredients in OTC Sleep Aids?AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronWhile these should be used in moderation, there are certain ingredients believed to help in promoting healthy sleep that appeared in most of the sleep aids on this list. Let’s do a crash course.Doxylamine, found in OTC medications like Unisom, is one of the most common medications used for insomnia and is also used for nausea during pregnancy and allergic rhinitis. It stays in your system longer than other sleep medications, so it’s more likely to cause that next morning “hangover” feeling of lingering drowsiness.Diphenhydramine, used in OTC medications like Benadryl and ZzzQuil, is also one of the most common OTC sleep medications and can be used for allergies too. Both diphenhydramine and doxylamine work similarly and have similar side effects.Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone produced by the brain that helps regulate your internal clock. Increased levels of melatonin help signify it’s time for your body to sleep. Baena explains that “melatonin is a hormone released by the pineal gland in the brain. It is connected with the time of day and increases when it's dark and decreases when it's light. This helps with the timing of your circadian rhythms." Sagedy warns that melatonin can give side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, headache, and strange dreams. Melatonin has been proven to regulate the sleep-wake cycle, but since it’s considered a dietary supplement in the US, it's regulated less strictly by the FDA than a prescription or over-the-counter drug. Melatonin is generally considered safe for pregnant people and children in low doses, but a doctor should be consulted before use.Other common ingredients include: vitamin B6, thought to aid in the production of melatonin; magnesium, which helps to regulate the nervous system and melatonin production; L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes relaxation; and GABA, an amino acid that helps calm the brain.Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting and exclusive subscriber content that's too important to ignore. Subscribe Today.CommentsBack to topTriangleMolly Higgins is WIRED's Commerce Production and Operations Coordinator. She tests mattresses, cat gadgets, pet hair vacuums, vegan meal kits, and helps oversee our coupon program. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English from UCLA and an MFA in creative nonfiction writing from the University of Missouri–Kansas City. She ... 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The Best Over-the-Counter Sleep Aids (2026)

Molly Higgins, WIRED’s Commerce Production and Operations Coordinator, embarked on a rigorous testing program to identify effective over-the-counter sleep aids, moving beyond the usual suspects to uncover truly restorative solutions. Her journey, spanning more than a dozen products—from gummies and drinks to sprays and wearable patches—revealed a diverse landscape of ingredients and delivery methods, all aimed at tackling chronic insomnia, much like her own personal struggle. Her testing methodology was meticulous, controlling for variables like routine and sleep environment to ensure a fair comparison of each product. Ultimately, her investigation showcased a range of options, with several emerging as particularly promising.

The testing began with establishing a baseline by eliminating all previous sleep aids, creating a controlled environment to isolate the impact of each new product. Higgins meticulously documented the effects of over a dozen sleep aids, including edibles, drinks, sprays, and app-based therapies. The goal was to identify which options effectively facilitated sleep onset and duration. Several key ingredients—melatonin, magnesium, L-theanine, GABA—were consistently observed.

Higgins's top picks demonstrate a layered approach to sleep support. The Lemme Sleep Tight Gummies immediately stood out, boasting a combination of L-theanine, magnesium, chamomile, lavender, and 5 milligrams of melatonin. She found them to be the most effective, noting that they induced sleepiness within approximately 45 minutes, without any lingering grogginess the next morning. Next, Charlotte’s Web Quiet Sleep Mushroom Gummies, employing reishi mushrooms, magnesium, and chamomile, proved a strong contender, with a focus on promoting consistent sleep patterns over time. The Onnit Instant Melatonin Mist offered quick relief, deploying 3 milligrams of melatonin directly into the mouth for a rapid onset.

Beyond these top performers, Higgins explored other options, like Som Sleep Powder Drink Mix, featuring a blend of vitamins and amino acids, and The Absorption Company Sleep Powdered Drink, utilizing a variety of adaptogens and amino acids. These options, though effective for her, varied in their perceived taste and immediate impact. Furthermore, she tested wearable patches like Barrière (melatonin) and Somnee (EEG-based stimulation), acknowledging their unique approaches and their potential benefits for users seeking novel sleep solutions.

Higgins emphasizes that the effectiveness of over-the-counter sleep aids can vary significantly, urging individuals to experiment to discover what works best for their unique physiology. She also provides a cautionary note regarding the potential for dependence and tolerance, particularly with medications like melatonin. Importantly, she stresses the importance of establishing good sleep hygiene, including consistent routines and minimizing exposure to disruptive stimuli.

Ultimately, Higgins’s comprehensive testing, and experience with numerous options, points viewers to a landscape of effective sleep aids that have a lot of creative and unique approaches.