In this review, we’ll be taking a look at the Vitamin Dispenser and Natural Sleep Aid Pod from Tespo. Basically, you stick the pod into the device, press a button, and within seconds out comes a delicious elixir designed to send you straight off to dreamland. But does it actually, you know… work?
To find out, I tested the juice myself, and let me tell you, it definitely impacted my slumber. So, did I sleep better? Worse? The same? Well, you’ll just have to keep on reading to see!
The Tespo Connect Dispenser is a high tech way to make sure you get the vitamins you need!
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.
Brand Snapshot
Tespo launched in 2014 on a mission to improve the way folks get their daily vitamins. To do this, the brand decided to forego the traditional pill path and opt for something a little more unique in the form of a dispenser that makes a vitamin-packed drink.
So um… how does it work? Great question! First things first, you have to get your hands on the company’s Tespo Connect Dispenser ($149). Then, you select from the brand’s array of vitamin pods, which range in price from $22 – $45, and includes the sleep one we’re trying today as well as ones for prenatal care, energy, vision support, and many more. Once you’ve got your pod, you pop it in the dispenser, click a button, and the gizmo quite literally spins the powder from the pod into a juice you drink.
Powder… juice… machine… spinning… yeah, I know, it’s a lot to think about, but worry not! We’re going to break down what all this means.
Setting Up Your Tespo
I found it super easy to set up my Tespo! I’m not a tech-head at all (like, at all), so was relieved that the step-by-step instructions provided by the brand were plainly written and simple to follow. The company walks you through plugging in the machine, connecting it to your home WiFi, and positioning your first pod. All in all, I’d say it took me around 10 minutes to get everything up and going, which is pretty darn fast if you ask me.
Pod Ingredients
Alright, now that we know how to set up the machine, let’s talk about the vitamin pod. According to Tespo, each pod comes with 31 individual servings, so you stick this baby in, and you don’t have to take it out for an entire month. Each night, add some water to the back, press the button, and the machine will serve you up a wee little bedtime drink.
But… what’s in this pod? Well, I’m so glad you asked!
Each serving from the Natural Sleep Aid Pod is packed with an array of intriguing elements, so let’s go through them one-by-one.
Taurine – The bulk of the serving is composed of Taurine, an amino acid found in many foods and even some energy drinks. Taurine has widespread health benefits, and has been shown to help regulate the immune system, support the central nervous system, and promote cardiovascular health. Some research has also found that taurine increases sleep! (1)
5-HTP – 5-HTP or L-hydroxytryptophan is an amino acid that’s part of the biosynthesis of serotonin, a hormone that actively promotes slumber.
GABA – GABA, or gamma-aminobutyric acid, is a naturally occurring amino acid that works as a neurotransmitter in the brain. Many consider it to be an inhibitory transmitter, because it quite literally inhibits brain signals and decreases activity in the nervous system, which makes it a popular ingredient in sleep supplements.
L-Theanine – L-theanine is yet another amino acid, most commonly found in black and green tea leaves. Though some suggest that it has a myriad of health benefits, the most frequently cited one is its ability to relax the mind without inducing too much drowsiness. (2)
Chamomile Extract – You probably recognize this one, huh? Popular in teas, chamomile extract has been used as a natural sleep aid for centuries, and there’s a lot of research to back it up! In fact, several recent studies have found the extract to be incredibly effective at reducing anxiety. (4)
Melatonin – And finally, melatonin, a naturally occurring hormone in the body that’s released by the pineal gland in the brain. Its main function is to regulate the sleep/wake cycle, and is commonly taken as a supplement to do just that.
The Tespo Connect Dispenser is a high tech way to make sure you get the vitamins you need!
My Experience
Now that we’ve gone over the set up and chatted about the ingredients, it’s time to get into my experience with the Tespo Dispenser and Natural Sleep Aid Pod. Per the brand’s instructions, I whipped up a glass of vitamin juice about 15 minutes before I wanted to sleep, and drank it while reading in bed.
To describe my experience, I’m going to break it down into three categories: Falling Asleep, Staying Asleep, and the Morning After. I should also mention that I’m not a doctor, so everything I’m about to share is based on my own personal opinion. If you’re looking to try vitamins for the first time or want to change up your sleep regime, I’d highly recommend consulting with a medical professional before doing so.
Falling Asleep
One of my biggest issues at night is getting to sleep. Even if I feel super tired, as soon as my head hits the pillow, my mind starts churning with so many thoughts that it can be difficult for me to relax and actually fall asleep. So, it’s crucial that a sleep supplement is able to quiet these thoughts so I can drift peacefully off to dreamland.
And I’d say that the Tespo all natural sleep aid did an okay job. After about 15 minutes of taking it, I could feel it “kick” in, producing a full-body tingle of relaxation. It quieted my thoughts, but didn’t necessarily lull me to sleep. Though I did end up dozing faster than I normally would, the supplement definitely didn’t knock me out or anything like that.
Staying Asleep
Another problem I have is staying asleep. Even if I’m able to catch some quality shut-eye at the top of the night, it’s hard for me to sustain that slumber over the course of an entire evening.
As with my falling asleep assessment, I’d say this sleep aid did okay. I did wake up in the middle of the night most nights I used it, but my body felt heavy and slightly groggy. When I walked to the bathroom, for example, I felt discombobulated, not totally awake or asleep, which made it fairly easy for me to snooze once I got back into bed.
The Morning After
And finally, the morning after. In my experience, sleep supplements usually leave me feeling pretty drowsy the next day, and I’ve gotta say that this one from Tespo was no exception. I woke up feeling quite groggy, and found that my limbs were heavy and it was difficult to get out of bed. I’d say the effects lasted into the morning, though they wore off after I had a couple rounds of coffee. If you’re someone who needs to get up and go when you wake up, this may not be the supplement for you.
Is the Tespo Dispenser Right for you?
Well folks, we’ve officially arrived at the end of this review, and it’s time for you to decide whether or not you want to buy the Tespo Connect Dispenser. Unfortunately, I can’t make this decision for you, but I can leave you with a few pros and cons to help you get there on your own.
The Tespo Connect Dispenser is a high tech way to make sure you get the vitamins you need!
Pros
- Firstly, I’d say that I really enjoyed the actual taste of the drink! It had a subtle citrus flavor, which I found quite pleasant.
- Secondly, the supplement worked well at getting me to fall asleep. Within minutes of taking the drink, I felt relaxed and ready to slumber.
- And last but not least, this is a cool and innovative way to do supplements. If you’re a techie looking for a new gadget, this could be a good fit for you.
Cons
- That being said, the expense is going to be a barrier to entry for some folks. At $149, this dispenser is just not in everyone’s budget.
- I’d also say that the drink left me feeling super groggy the next day, so may not work for individuals who need to get up and go.
Fini! You now know everything you need to know about the Tespo Dispenser and Natural Sleep Aid Pod. For more sleep-related content and resources, make sure to subscribe to the Sleepopolis YouTube channel and check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.