Mint

2021 Edit (Original review 2018): Still works, still love it. A little sad the vendor is limiting purchases to 1 per customer at the moment (I like to stock up 2-3 months at a time.) Everything below is still applicable! I'm going to preface this review of InstaSleep dissolvable sleep aid tablets by that it is going to be a long one, so bear with me! If you would like to skip the details, the TL;DR Summary: This stuff WORKS! However please be advised that it could have potentially serious side effects if you are take anti-depressants (MAOI or SSRI) Sleep, or the lack thereof, has been a lifelong battle for me. I have been clinically diagnosed with Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder (DSPD), and it is a notoriously difficult disorder to treat. So much so, that most specialists generally will ultimately throw up their hands, and end up suggesting changing careers to that of one that allows you to work the graveyard shift. In the meantime, providing you with military grade stimulants/cognitive enhancers just so you can get through your 9-5. In brief, DSPD can be described as a case of permanent jet lag, as the body does not start producing the chemicals and hormones required for sleep until much later in the night than the average person. As a result, I am no stranger to OTC sleep aids, as well as most specialist treatments available. Cue InstaSleep from stage right. I was incredibly dubious when I originally ran across the $7.99 box of 16 dissolving tablets at the local Target. Ingredient wise, it is very similar to another sleep aid called Kavinace, except if you can believe it, a bit cheaper. The delivery method is also different with Kavinace being a powdered formula in a gel cap, whereas InstaSleep is a tablet that dissolves in your mouth. I hadn’t been impressed with the efficacy of Kavinace, so InstaSleep was already starting on rocky ground. Ultimately, I decided ‘why not?’ and purchased it alongside with my usual giant bottle of diphenhydramine. On the subject of ingredients, let’s break down the components of the 48mg “proprietary blend” found in each tablet: 5-HTP GABA Melatonin Each of these ingredients is nothing new in the world of OTC sleep aids. I have taken each on their own, as well as in combination with other supplements such as L-Theanine and diphenhydramine to limited results. That said, let’s start with 5-HTP, or 5-Hydroxytryptophan, a naturally occurring amino acid that works as a catalyst for the production of Serotonin. As you may know, Serotonin is instrumental in the body’s ability to actually go to sleep. It is also frequently marketed on the European markets to assist with depression. 5-HTP’s role in the production of serotonin does cause some issues, however. The most predominant of such is a potentially severe reaction if taken in combination with an MAOI or SSRI class medication, leading to a condition called Serotonin Syndrome. As such, I would not advise taking InstaSleep if you are also taking either an MAOI or SSRI without first consulting with your physician. 5-HTP, when taken by itself, yielded rather limited results in my quest for sleep. I was able to amplify them by taking supplemental melatonin and Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), but even still the results were inconsistent. Now, let’s talk about GABA: GABA, or gamma-Aminobutyric acid, is an amino acid which acts as a neurotransmitter inhibitor. In summary, it has a relaxing effect. It is natural, and if anything, a critical amino acid produced by the body, as it helps in the body’s creation of melatonin. However, it is not without its flaws. Taken by itself orally, GABA has problems crossing the blood-brain barrier, which means in that form it is as effective as a placebo. To work, it must have a catalyst. Finally, there’s melatonin. Everyone knows melatonin and its efficacy on those with general occasional sleep issues. Melatonin in this context is a catalyst, as both GABA and 5-HTP play roles in the synthesizing of it in our bodies. What does all of this mean for our pricy box of sleep aids? Well, there’s at least some science behind it. As we have now covered the basics, let’s jump into the review of InstaSleep itself. Note that my experiences are taking it in combination with Diphenhydramine, which has long been my “Go To” for the chemical equivalent of a knock over the head with a frying pan. Taking diphenhydramine alone results in grogginess, but fails at flipping the neuro switch for sleep mode. The first night I tried InstaSleep, I took a reduced dosage of diphenhydramine (150mg) with one dissolving tablet. 30 minutes later, I felt restless and was so drowsy it prevented me from going to sleep. This effect was the same one might experience taking 300+ mg of Diphenhydramine, and in general, is not pleasant. At this point, I adjusted my dosage to 100mg Diphenhydramine taken an hour before bed, followed by two tablets of InstaSleep 45 minutes later. It was at this stage that I realized I was onto something, as for the first time in many years, I peacefully drifted off to sleep about an hour and a half later. I was surprised, to say the least. Figuring it a fluke, or placebo effect, I tried it again the next night with similar effect. It now has been several months, and still works pretty well. Although I still only get about 5-6 hours a night, it is much better than the 1-3 I had been getting previously. As such, I would recommend giving InstaSleep a try if you can afford it and have been waging war on your sleep for a long time.

I’ve tested 4–5 different sleep helpers, and InstaSleep Mint is by far the best. It works quickly, helps me fall asleep naturally, and I wake up without any grogginess the next day. Tastes refreshing too. Highly recommend!

Omg this stuff never fails to put me to sleep. Within 10 to 20 minutes of taking it i can no longer keep my eyes open. No morning grogginess. I've yet to grow immune to it either. Even after months of taking it, it still works like it did the very first time.

While it's not a sleeping aid per se, it does regulate your sleep patterns. And it tastes good.

Effective and perfectly calibrated for rest. It’s gentle on my sensitive system and doesn’t leave me groggy. As a CEO in the Crypto world, who travels constantly and deals with frequent jet lag, this has become my go-to for staying balanced across time zones.

Does work well for sleep but it gives me a horrible headache almost like a hangover. I was only able to use it 2x and felt so horrible each day I stopped taking it. I gave it 3 stars because I passed them on to my son and he said they work well for him.

I used to have trouble falling asleep. This gently puts me to sleep in about 20 minutes and I sleep through the night. Works very well for me.

I have tried and tried to use these, and I actually wake UP every hour with them. I went back to using Advil PM, which is far more effective. :-(

Taken it continuously for two weeks, but it did not help at all. Taste good though, just like Polo mint. I would not recommend it to anybody.