I have a strong preference for what most people call “natural” or simple supplements to help my sleep. A friend of mine recently started taking the Sundown Naturals Melatonin Gummies (this friend takes all of her vitamins in gummy form), so naturally I had to try them out — candy form be damned.
I am also a big believer in melatonin, and have been using it for a while, but there seems to be a discrepancy between brands, since at times 2mg of melatonin seems to be more than enough to induce a great night’s sleep, and at other times 10mg does nothing but make me a little drowsy.
Stated Use
Melatonin supports sound, quality sleep. The gummies are recommended for people experiencing occasional sleeplessness, those with jet lag, or those seeking to improve their quality of rest.
Active Ingredients
- Melatonin — This is one of my go-to sleep enhancers. It helps me fall asleep faster and experience more restful sleep. I especially like melatonin because its effects don’t diminish with repeated use (and studies back up my experience).
In addition to the melatonin, this product also contains corn syrup, sugar, gelatin, citric acid, natural flavor, pectin, vegetable juice for color, fractionated coconut oil, and carnauba oil
My Experience
Following the bottle’s directions, I chewed on two gumdrop-shaped, strawberry-flavored gummies before bed. They taste a lot like the green Haribo Gummy Bears (yes, in the US the green ones are strawberry-flavored) and went down easy. I fell asleep a little easier than usual, but according to my sleep tracker, I only had about an hour of deep sleep. I woke up fine after 7.5+ hours of sleep, but not quite as rested as I wanted to be.
Pros
- Moderately reduced time to fall asleep
- Induced uninterrupted, but light sleep for 7.5+ hours
- Tastes just like gummy bears
- Gluten Free
Cons
- Tastes just like gummy bears (could be a problem for households with children. or folks with no self-control)
- Contains 4g of carbs from corn syrup and sugar
The Final Word
For people who like a treat before bedtime, these melatonin gummies might be a solid option. Although I will continue taking melatonin to supplement my sleep, it will likely not be in the form of gummies. I can see people with a sweet toothmaking this their favorite sleep supplement, since it can address two issues at once. I am still experimenting with the best form for me, and will be sharing my reviews of a sublingual melatonin and a time-release melatonin in the near future.