If you're looking for a sleep supplement, the choice can quickly become confusing. From traditional herbal remedies and CBD oils to multi-ingredient formulations, products marketed for sleep can contain very different ingredients and be aimed at very different needs.
But does a more complicated formula necessarily make one supplement better than another?
We compared four sleep-related products available to UK consumers: A.Vogel Dormeasan, Goodrays Night Drops, TRIP Dream Drops and SomniVive. Rather than simply looking at which product has the longest ingredient list or the highest CBD content, we looked at what each product contains, how it is positioned, its price and the type of consumer it may appeal to.
It is important to stress that this is a product comparison, not medical advice. Supplements should not be used as a substitute for professional assessment of persistent sleep problems.
At a Glance: 4 Sleep Supplements Compared
| Product | Best suited to | Key feature | Approx. UK price |
|---|---|---|---|
| SomniVive | Adults looking for a multi-ingredient sleep supplement | CBD, CBN, melatonin, GABA and 5-HTP in one formula | £29.99 |
| A.Vogel Dormeasan | People looking for a traditional herbal option | Valerian and hops | £14.95–£17.50 |
| Goodrays Night Drops | Consumers interested in CBD as part of an evening routine | 1,000mg CBD oil | ~£34.95 |
| TRIP Dream Drops | Consumers looking specifically for a CBD oil marketed for bedtime | 3,000mg CBD with chamomile and lavender | ~£39–£50 |
Prices are indicative and may change. Always check the manufacturer's current product information before purchasing.
A.Vogel Dormeasan: A Traditional Herbal Option
A.Vogel Dormeasan is a traditional herbal product containing valerian and hops. It is registered as a Traditional Herbal Registration (THR) product and is positioned for the temporary relief of sleep disturbances associated with mild anxiety.
Its long-established herbal positioning makes it quite different from the CBD products in this comparison.
Dormeasan is taken as drops diluted in water, generally around 30 minutes before bedtime according to the manufacturer's directions. It is also widely available through UK pharmacies and other retailers, making it a familiar option for consumers who prefer a traditional herbal approach.
One potential advantage is its simplicity: consumers who specifically want to avoid cannabinoids have a straightforward alternative.
However, it is important not to confuse a traditional herbal registration with evidence that a product is effective for every type of sleep problem. Its licensed indication is specifically limited to temporary sleep disturbance associated with mild anxiety.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Considerations |
|---|---|
| Traditional herbal formulation | Not a cannabinoid or melatonin-based product |
| THR registered | Its indication is limited to temporary sleep disturbance associated with mild anxiety |
| Widely available | Contains alcohol as part of the tincture formulation |
| Lower price point than the CBD products compared here | Not intended to replace assessment of persistent sleep problems |
Best for
Consumers who prefer a traditional herbal product and are looking for an option specifically registered for temporary sleep disturbance associated with mild anxiety.
Goodrays Night Drops: A CBD-Focused Option
Goodrays Night Drops is a CBD oil containing 1,000mg of CBD and is marketed as a product for use as part of an evening routine.
Unlike Dormeasan, it does not contain valerian and hops. It also does not contain melatonin. Its positioning is therefore centred on CBD rather than a traditional herbal formulation or a sleep-wake-cycle ingredient.
For consumers already interested in CBD products, the dropper format provides a relatively straightforward way of incorporating CBD into their routine.
However, there is an important distinction between how a product is marketed and what can legally be claimed about its effects.
In the UK, CBD food products are subject to the novel foods regulatory framework, while health claims made for food supplements must comply with the relevant rules. The ASA states that there are currently no authorised health claims for CBD food products, meaning marketers need to be particularly careful about claims relating to sleep, anxiety or other health conditions.¹
Pros and cons
| Pros | Considerations |
|---|---|
| Straightforward liquid format | Contains CBD rather than melatonin |
| Specifically marketed for an evening routine | Consumers should check current product and regulatory information |
| Suitable for consumers who specifically want a CBD product | CBD is not a treatment for insomnia |
| Established CBD brand | People taking medication should seek professional advice before using CBD |
Best for
Consumers specifically interested in trying a CBD product as part of their evening routine, rather than those looking for a traditional herbal medicine or melatonin-based formulation.
SomniVive: A Multi-Ingredient Formula
SomniVive takes a different approach from the other products in this comparison.
Its formulation combines CBD and CBN with melatonin, GABA and 5-HTP. This makes it the most multi-ingredient formulation of the four products considered here.
SomniVive on the ConsultingRoom.com Shop
The attraction of a formulation like this is straightforward: rather than choosing a traditional herbal product or a CBD-only oil, consumers are presented with several ingredients in one supplement.
However, a longer ingredient list should not automatically be interpreted as evidence that a product will work better. The presence of several ingredients also makes it particularly important to check the label, dosage instructions, warnings and suitability for the individual.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Considerations |
|---|---|
| Multi-ingredient formulation | More ingredients do not necessarily mean better results |
| Contains CBD, CBN, melatonin, GABA and 5-HTP | Not suitable for everyone |
| Available through the ConsultingRoom.com Shop | CBD has specific UK regulatory and safety considerations |
| Offers an alternative to CBD-only formulations | Consumers should check the full product information before use |
Best for
Adults interested in a multi-ingredient sleep supplement and who have checked that the formulation is appropriate for them.
CBD, CBN or Melatonin: What's the Difference?
One of the biggest problems with comparing sleep supplements is that ingredients are often discussed as though they all perform the same function.
They don't.
CBD
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a cannabinoid found in cannabis and hemp plants. CBD food products are regulated as novel foods in the UK.
It is important to distinguish this regulatory status from medicinal use. CBD products marketed as food supplements cannot legally be advertised as treating or preventing conditions such as insomnia or anxiety.
CBN
CBN, or cannabinol, is another cannabinoid. It is increasingly appearing in products marketed around relaxation and sleep, but consumers should be cautious about interpreting marketing claims as established clinical evidence.
The fact that an ingredient is included in a sleep supplement does not by itself demonstrate that the finished product will improve someone's sleep.
Melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone involved in regulating the body's sleep-wake cycle. However, consumers should not assume that a supplement containing melatonin is automatically appropriate for them.
The status, permitted use and availability of melatonin-containing products can differ from ordinary food supplements, so consumers should check the product's regulatory status and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
The important takeaway
The most useful question isn't necessarily: "Which supplement is strongest?"
Instead, consider: "What exactly am I looking for, and is this product appropriate for me?"
That means looking beyond the front of the packaging and checking the ingredients, dosage, warnings, regulatory status and evidence behind any claims being made.
TRIP Dream Drops: A Higher-Strength CBD Oil
TRIP Dream Drops is another CBD-focused product, formulated specifically for use around bedtime. The product contains 3,000mg of CBD alongside chamomile and lavender.
The higher CBD content differentiates it from Goodrays Night Drops, although consumers should not assume that a higher CBD concentration automatically means better sleep support.
That's an important point when comparing CBD products. The amount of CBD in a product is only one aspect of the formulation, and there are currently no authorised health claims for CBD food products in Great Britain.¹
TRIP has established strong brand recognition within the UK CBD market, which may appeal to consumers who are already familiar with the brand and specifically want a CBD oil.
As with other CBD food products, however, consumers should pay attention to the product's current labelling, recommended use and regulatory status rather than relying on claims made in reviews or social media.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Considerations |
|---|---|
| High-strength CBD formulation | Higher CBD content does not automatically mean greater effectiveness |
| Contains chamomile and lavender | Does not contain melatonin |
| Established CBD brand | CBD products are subject to specific UK regulatory requirements |
| Liquid dropper format | People taking medication should seek professional advice before use |
Best for
Consumers who specifically want a higher-strength CBD oil and are comfortable with a CBD-focused formulation.
How We Compared the Four Products
This comparison deliberately avoids treating one product as a universal solution.
The four products were selected because they represent different approaches within the UK sleep-support market:
- A traditional herbal product
- A lower-strength CBD oil
- A higher-strength CBD oil
- A multi-ingredient formulation containing cannabinoids, melatonin and other ingredients
We considered:
Ingredients
What does each product actually contain, and how does the formulation differ from the alternatives?
Positioning
What is the manufacturer actually selling the product as, and who is it intended for?
Format
Is it a tincture, oil or capsule, and how straightforward is it to incorporate into a routine?
Price
How does the cost compare with the other products in the shortlist?
Regulatory considerations
Are there particular restrictions or warnings consumers need to understand?
This last point is especially important for CBD products.
What You Should Consider Before Buying a Sleep Supplement
There isn't necessarily one "best" sleep supplement for everyone.
Before buying, consider the following.
What ingredients are actually in it?
Don't rely solely on the words "sleep", "night" or "calm" on the packaging. Check the complete ingredient list and recommended daily intake.
Are the claims backed by appropriate evidence?
The ASA and CAP rules place strict restrictions on health claims made for food supplements. Claims must be supported by appropriate evidence and authorised health claims must be used where applicable.
This is particularly relevant to CBD. The FSA states that there are currently no authorised CBD health claims for food products, and claims that CBD food products can improve sleep or treat illness are not permitted.
Are there any reasons you shouldn't take it?
CBD is not appropriate for everyone.
The FSA advises that people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to conceive, taking medication or otherwise in vulnerable groups should avoid CBD unless under medical direction.
The FSA also currently recommends that healthy adults limit CBD intake from food to a maximum of 10mg per day.
Always check the current product label and seek advice from a pharmacist, doctor or other appropriately qualified healthcare professional if you are unsure.
Is your sleep problem persistent?
A supplement should not be viewed as a substitute for investigating an ongoing sleep problem.
If you're regularly struggling to sleep, waking repeatedly during the night or experiencing significant daytime effects, speak to a healthcare professional rather than simply switching between supplements.
So, Which Is the Best Sleep Supplement?
After comparing the four formulations, there isn't a responsible way to say that one product is universally "the best" for everyone.
Instead, each represents a different approach.
A.Vogel Dormeasan may appeal to consumers looking for a traditional herbal formulation and is specifically registered for temporary sleep disturbance associated with mild anxiety.
Goodrays Night Drops is aimed at consumers interested in a straightforward CBD oil as part of their evening routine.
TRIP Dream Drops offers another CBD-focused option, with a higher stated CBD content and additional chamomile and lavender.
SomniVive takes the broadest formulation approach, combining CBD, CBN, melatonin, GABA and 5-HTP in one product.
That makes SomniVive an interesting option within this particular comparison, but a more complex formulation should not automatically be interpreted as being more effective.
The most appropriate choice depends on the individual, the ingredients they are comfortable taking, the product's regulatory status and whether their sleep difficulties need professional assessment rather than supplementation.
Our Verdict
If you're comparing sleep supplements, the biggest lesson is that "sleep supplement" isn't one single category.
The four products examined here take distinctly different approaches, from a traditional herbal medicine through to CBD-focused oils and a multi-ingredient formulation.
Rather than choosing a product because it has the highest CBD content, the longest ingredient list or the most prominent sleep-related marketing, look at what is actually in it and what claims can legitimately be made about those ingredients.
And if sleep problems are persistent or affecting your health and wellbeing, don't rely on supplements alone. A conversation with a GP, pharmacist or other appropriately qualified healthcare professional may be much more useful than trying another product.
SomniVive
- May suit adults looking for additional support with relaxation and sleep quality
- Combines CBD, CBN, melatonin, GABA, and 5-HTP in one formulation
- Designed to support the body’s natural sleep cycle rather than act as a prescription sedative
- May appeal to people looking for a plant-based sleep support option.