In this review, we’ll be taking a look at the Instant Melatonin Spray from Onnit. Available in either mint or lavender flavors, these drowsy spritzes are meant to knock you out fast and keep you dozing all night long.
But do they actually work? To find out, I tested the spray for two weeks and discovered that while they made me sleep like a baby, there was one big detractor that almost made the product a no-go for me.
Curious to know what it is? Well then you better keep on reading.
Note: The content on Sleepopolis is meant to be informative in nature, but it shouldn’t be taken as medical advice, and it shouldn’t take the place of medical advice and supervision from a trained professional. Please talk to your healthcare professional before beginning any new supplement routine. If you feel you may be suffering from any sleep disorder or medical condition, please see your healthcare provider immediately.
Onnit Melatonin Spray
Onnit Melatonin Spray is a simple way to get to sleep fast, you can learn more by clicking the link to head to Onnit!
Sleepopolis Score
4.70 / 5
Brand Snapshot
Onnit launched in 2010 on a mission to help its customers achieve “Total Human Optimization.” And though this phrase sounds like the premise for a bad 80s sci-fi flick, from what I gathered, it really just means that all the company’s products — from nutritional supplements to fitness equipment and workout apparel — are designed to enhance every aspect of an individual’s life.
As with the other supplements on the site, the Instant Melatonin Spray has been third party tested by the Banned Substances Control Group, which ensures products are safe for human consumption as well as free of any drugs that might show up on a performance test (which is important for the brand’s main demo — athletes!)
Ingredients
I was pretty jazzed to test out this product, because I’ve never used a melatonin spray before. Typically, I’ve taken melatonin in pill, capsule, or oil form, so I was excited to see if a spray would be just as effective as these other supplements have been for me in the past.
But before I get ahead of myself, let’s take a moment to chat about melatonin. Now, melatonin is a hormone in the body that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and is primarily released by the pineal gland, which is located deep in the center of the brain. While a lot of folks are able to produce enough melatonin to secure many a night of peaceful slumber, some (like me) need a little help in the sleepy hormone department.
And that’s where supplements like this one from Onnit come into play. By doubling down on the body’s natural supply of melatonin, you’re apparently able to increase the effectiveness of the hormone. (1) There’s been a lot of research done into the effectiveness and safety of melatonin supplements, and most of it’s quite positive, though there are common side effects associated with the treatment, such as nausea, headaches, and drowsiness.
To curb the worst of those side effects, most medical professionals suggest taking no more than 5 mg of melatonin a night. Any more can cause some serious fog in the morning, which is not an ideal way to start the day.
The Onnit spray stays within those parameters, as the recommended six-spray dosage has 3 mg of melatonin. Each bottle retails for $11 and has 30 servings, so you should only need to replenish your supplies every month. Onnit makes this easy by allowing you to “subscribe” to the product, receiving automatic deliveries of the spray on a bi-weekly, monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly basis.
My Experience
Now that we’ve gone over the brand history and dished about the ingredients, it’s time to get into my experience with the Instant Melatonin Spray. To do this, I’m going to break it down into three categories: Falling Asleep, Staying Asleep, and the Morning After.
Onnit Melatonin Spray
Onnit Melatonin Spray is a simple way to get to sleep fast, you can learn more by clicking the link to head to Onnit!
Sleepopolis Score
4.70 / 5
Falling Asleep
One of my biggest nighttime woes is getting to sleep. As soon as my head hits the pillow, my mind floods with dozens of competing thoughts, which makes it difficult for me to calm down and drift off to dreamland, even on nights when I’m super exhausted. So, when I’m testing a new supplement, I’m particularly sensitive to how it’s able to quiet these thoughts and relax my body.
And in my opinion, the Instant Melatonin Spray was fantastic at doing just that. About 15 minutes after taking the recommended six-spray dose, I felt this gentle fog of calm rolling across my body. My shoulders were relaxed, my mind was still, and I was soon peacefully slumbering. I found that this sense of relaxation persisted even when I took three sprays of the product, though I’d note that it took a little bit longer to kick in.
As far as taste is concerned, I preferred the mint flavor, finding it refreshing and crisp. The lavender spray was a bit too floral for my tastes.
Staying Asleep
Staying asleep is another huge problem for me, as I usually wake up in the middle of the night every night. Therefore, I need a supplement that’ll sustain my slumber throughout the entire evening, not just when I first hop into bed.
For the most part, I thought the Instant Melatonin Spray was effective at helping me stay asleep. Over the course of two weeks, I woke up in the middle of the night on four occasions, which is a significant improvement to my usual slumber schedj.
However, I would say that I did experience some strange dreams on the nights when I took six sprays of the product. They weren’t nightmares per say, but were a bit disconcerting, and somewhat disturbed my sleep. When I switched to three sprays, I found that I didn’t experience the dreams, but that my sleep wasn’t quite as steady.
The Morning After
And herein we find the detractor I teased at the top of this review. Though the Instant Melatonin Spray worked to help me fall and stay asleep, it made me feel incredibly groggy the next day. My limbs were heavy, my mind was foggy, and I found it difficult to snap out of the drowsy haze.
While the feeling wasn’t the best, I can’t wholly blame it on this product. Melatonin has a bit of a reputation for morning after grogginess, so if you’re the kind of person who really needs to get up and go in the morning, melatonin may not be the supplement for you.
Pros/Cons
Before I send you on your merry, sleepy way, I want to wrap up this review of the Onnit Instant Melatonin Spray with a few final pros and cons.
Onnit Melatonin Spray
Onnit Melatonin Spray is a simple way to get to sleep fast, you can learn more by clicking the link to head to Onnit!
Sleepopolis Score
4.70 / 5
Pros
- First and foremost, I thought this product was excellent at getting me to fall asleep. Within minutes of taking the spray, I felt calm, relaxed, and totally zen.
- Secondly, I like that you can set up a subscription service, which makes it easy to maintain a consistent bedtime routine.
- And finally, I was a big fan of the mint flavored spray. It tasted great and made for a refreshing pop before I tucked into bed.
Cons
- My biggest complaint was that the spray made me feel incredibly groggy the morning after. If you’re someone who wants to feel clear-headed after you sleep, this may not be the product for you.
- I also didn’t love the taste of the lavender spray, but that might just be a personal preference!
Well, that about does it for this review! If you have any other questions about this product, feel free to DM me on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. And make sure to subscribe to the Sleepopolis YouTube channel so you can get all our latest sleep-related content.
References
- “Melatonin: In Depth.” National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 16 July 2018.