Struggling to drift off naturally? Tried counting sheep, avoiding blue lights and waving goodbye to bedtime screen time?
If you've tried all of the above and you're looking for a slightly more potent approach, sleep gummies could be a gentle, effective solution to help ease you into a restful night’s sleep.
With a wide range of options now available in the UK, these chewable sleep aids are made with calming herbal ingredients and essential vitamins that promote relaxation without the need for melatonin, which isn’t available to easily buy in the UK.
What are the main ingredients in sleep gummies, and how do they work?
GP Dr Jeff Foster, Director of Health at Manual says: "Sleep gummies are generally considered to be a non-prescribable sleep aid designed to improve sleep quality. Ingredients vary depending on which you use but at the milder end they can contain: 5-HTP (L-5-hydroxytryptophan), Vitamin B6, L-theanine, chamomile and/or lavender.
At the more medical end they may contain the sleep hormone melatonin - but in the UK this is usually on prescription, although not in many other countries."
What is the recommended dosage of sleep gummies for adults?
"This largely depends on which gummy we refer to. At the herbal end, it is very hard to overdose on vitamin b6 or chamomile but too much of any herbal supplement can result in toxicity, so always follow the label.
In terms of melatonin, the standard adult dose can range from 2-3mg per night, up to 10mg as advised by your doctor."
How long does it take for sleep gummies to work?
"Most sleep assisting medications take about 30-40 min to work. This is because it has to be digested and then metabolised and get round the body. So we would normally say take up to an hour before sleep."
Are sleep gummies suitable for long-term use, or should they be used only for short-term sleep issues?
"No. We should never rely on a non-prescribed medicine for long term sleep assistance. These gummies should be used to help break a poor sleep cycle, but should be part of a wider picture of good sleep hygiene.
So avoiding work emails too late, reducing screen time, reading a book or relaxing, and having a consistent time for bed."
We've rounded up all of the best sleep gummies in the UK.
Nourished Sleep Tight Stack
The Sleep Tight Stack by Nourished is a customisable, 3D-printed vitamin stack tailored specifically to support sleep and relaxation. These pre-blended gummies combine ingredients like tart cherry, a natural source of melatonin, magnesium to calm the nervous system and 5-HTP for mood balance.
The stack is vegan and freshly made to order, ensuring optimal potency. Nourished’s ability to personalise each stack makes them also suitable for those looking to address specific sleep concerns, as each stack can be modified with other vitamins.
Buy now £38.00, Nourished
New Nordic Melissa Dream
New Nordic’s Melissa Dream tablets combine a natural blend of herbal extracts, including lemon balm, chamomile and L-theanine, alongside B vitamins and magnesium, to support calmness and restful sleep. Lemon balm and chamomile have traditionally been used to ease stress and anxiety, promoting relaxation without causing drowsiness while magnesium helps relax muscles, which can improve sleep quality.
Those extra B vitamins aid in converting food to energy, potentially reducing fatigue during the day. These non-habit-forming tablets are perfect for those looking for a gentle approach to managing mild anxiety and stress-related sleep issues.
Buy now £15.99, Holland & Barrett
RESCUE Remedy Night 60 Gummies
RESCUE Remedy's Night Gummies feature a unique blend of natural flower essences, including white chestnut, rock rose and star of Bethlehem, designed to calm a racing mind and ease into sleep.
Developed by Dr. Bach in the 1930s, the flower essence formulation is a holistic approach to emotional balance, targeting night-time stress. These gummies are non-habit forming, alcohol-free, and can be combined with other remedies, offering a gentle sleep aid that’s safe for both adults and children.
Buy now £13.99, Holland & Barrett
Love Hemp CBD Jelly Domes
Each Love Hemp CBD dome delivers 20 mg of broad-spectrum CBD, free from THC, with naturally fruity flavours for a pleasant taste. The CBD used is high-quality, and CO2-extracted, ensuring purity and efficacy.
These vegan domes promote calm and relaxation, potentially helping ease into sleep while avoiding the “high” associated with THC. They're ideal for those who want a natural way to manage stress and improve sleep without any psychoactive effects.
Buy now £14.99, Love Hemp
GummyUp Sugar Free Sleep Gummies
GummyUp’s Sugar-Free Sleep Gummies are designed to provide a sleep-promoting effect without added sugars, using natural ingredients like Griffonia seed extract, a precursor to serotonin.
The Griffonia extract may help regulate mood and support sleep by increasing serotonin levels. These gummies are lightly flavoured and are calorie-conscious, appealing to anyone seeking a low-calorie, healthier option.
Buy now £16.20, Amazon
Hillten Health Unwind Sleep Support Gummies for Adults
Hillten Health’s Unwind Sleep Support Gummies combine calming herbs like valerian root, passionflower and L-theanine, all known for their relaxation properties.
These ingredients help soothe the nervous system, ease mild anxiety, and promote restful sleep. Formulated specifically for adults, these gummies offer a natural alternative to melatonin, ideal for those who may be sensitive to synthetic sleep aids.
Buy now £14.24, Amazon
New Leaf Sleep Gummies-Natural Melatonin Sources
New Leaf Sleep Gummies offer a natural source of melatonin derived from botanical ingredients, supporting the body’s natural sleep cycle.
Infused with chamomile and lavender, these gummies are formulated to help relax the mind and body, making them ideal for those who need a gentle push to sleep. Free from added sugars, they are vegan-friendly, providing a clean option for nightly relaxation.
Buy now £9.95, Superdrug
Central CBD Valley CBD Gummy Bears Large Tub
Central Valley’s CBD Gummy Bears offer a strong 25 mg dose of broad-spectrum CBD in each bear, making them ideal for those who require a potent solution for night-time relaxation.
These gummies are flavoured with natural fruit extracts and are particularly useful for unwinding after a long day. The large tub contains enough for an extended period, offering a practical, cost-effective option for regular CBD users looking for consistent, restful sleep.
Buy now £59.99, Central CBD Valley
ZenBears CBD Gummies
CBD is renowned for calming you down and promoting a more restful sleep and ZenBears CBD Gummies offer a high-quality source of broad-spectrum CBD, delivering 20 mg of CBD per gummy without any THC.
Each gummy is crafted from organically grown hemp and coated with CBD, allowing for faster absorption through the mouth as you chew. This method, known as “phytocannabinoid delivery,” is designed to promote calmness, reduce anxiety and potentially enhance sleep quality by soothing the mind and body. These vegan-friendly, lab-tested gummies come in a mix of fruity flavours too.
Buy now £19.95, ZenBears
CANAX LIFE CBD Gummies - Strawberries
CANAX LIFE’s Strawberry CBD Gummies offer a flavorful 25 mg dose of CBD per gummy, providing a robust option for those looking to relax at the end of the day. Formulated with broad-spectrum CBD, these gummies are designed to calm the mind and ease the body, helping to improve sleep onset and quality.
Buy now £25.00, CANAX LIFE
Verdict
The Nourished Sleep Tight Stack wins this one, with its personalised blend of 3D-printed, vegan-friendly vitamins designed for optimal sleep. With natural ingredients like ashwagandha, magnesium, and chamomile, it effectively supports relaxation and quality sleep.
