Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Gadling Gear Review: Dream Water
TSA restrictions mean that I can only give up so much space in my bag to concoctions. I like the idea of somewhat more natural ways to get over the jitters and sleeplessness of travel, but there was no way I was going to pack Dream Water, a TSA-friendly-sized product that claims to help you sleep, for a carryon-only, big trip. A recent overnight seemed like the ideal scenario for checking it out.What is this stuff, anyway? It's a mix of melatonin, GABA, 5HTP and a few other things, in a 3-ounce serving that you can slurp down before you go to bed (or if you can't sleep on the flight).
Here's how I tested it, giving up my innards for science. I slugged back one dose the night before I had a dawn flight and the other in my hotel room in L.A. where I had a one-night stay. I typically sleep badly in both those scenarios. Early morning flights have me waking up repeatedly the night before I fly. And I need three or four days on the road before my inner security system mellows enough to let me sleep well in strange places.
How'd it work? Well, okay ... I guess. I was genuinely sleepy after taking it at home, I crashed pretty hard in my own bed, though I did not stay asleep any more than I usually do. And in my hotel, well, the "enthusiastic" couple in the next room assured that even if I was going to sleep, I was not going to do so until they finished their exertions.
If you want to know more about what's in this stuff, there's a breakdown on Dream Water's natural ingredients page. You'll have to do your own sleuthing if you want to know more about what exactly GABA, melatonin, and 5HTP do for your sleep. I have tried all kinds of things to overcome travel sleeplessness and I find that a combination of melatonin at night and sunshine by day is the best solution, though I've been known to pack pharmaceuticals for time changes that are more than three or four hours. Jet lag is a drag, right? That's why I was up for trying this even if it carves into my limited space for liquids in the carryon.
But my results were inconclusive. I'm not convinced I couldn't get the same results by taking melatonin, a remedy many of travelers swear by. I didn't love the taste – it's weirdly artificial – but that's not what makes me raise my eyebrows. It's that while I did fall asleep pretty fast after drinking a dose of this stuff, I didn't stay asleep any longer than I usually do, either at home or while traveling. I didn't have any weird side effects either; that's good, but sleep is precious and I'd have liked to get more of that.
The folks that distribute Dream Water say it's available now in lots of airports on the other side of the security wall, so if you want to try it out on your long-haul flight, try picking some up at the airport. Right now, a six pack is $38.99 directly from Dream Water but there are much better prices if you look around. If you want to try it yourself, there's a promo for a single serve, you pay shipping and handling of about $3. Me, I'll stick with melatonin and a nightcap.
If you want to know more about what's in this stuff, there's a breakdown on Dream Water's natural ingredients page. You'll have to do your own sleuthing if you want to know more about what exactly GABA, melatonin, and 5HTP do for your sleep. I have tried all kinds of things to overcome travel sleeplessness and I find that a combination of melatonin at night and sunshine by day is the best solution, though I've been known to pack pharmaceuticals for time changes that are more than three or four hours. Jet lag is a drag, right? That's why I was up for trying this even if it carves into my limited space for liquids in the carryon.
But my results were inconclusive. I'm not convinced I couldn't get the same results by taking melatonin, a remedy many of travelers swear by. I didn't love the taste – it's weirdly artificial – but that's not what makes me raise my eyebrows. It's that while I did fall asleep pretty fast after drinking a dose of this stuff, I didn't stay asleep any longer than I usually do, either at home or while traveling. I didn't have any weird side effects either; that's good, but sleep is precious and I'd have liked to get more of that.
The folks that distribute Dream Water say it's available now in lots of airports on the other side of the security wall, so if you want to try it out on your long-haul flight, try picking some up at the airport. Right now, a six pack is $38.99 directly from Dream Water but there are much better prices if you look around. If you want to try it yourself, there's a promo for a single serve, you pay shipping and handling of about $3. Me, I'll stick with melatonin and a nightcap.
Filed under: Gadling Gear Review
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Andrew Dec 9th 2012 11:51PM
It is really hard to give a subject review of a product like this any credence based on a couple of experiences to be honest... Who knows whether you slept well due to the product or to other factors.. It could have just been the fact that you thought the product would make you sleep better. There is no way to really tell without some sort of controlled study.. That is the only way to really evaluate whether these products can stand up to their claims. I don't mean any offense and I am not trying to take away from your review or your experiences at all. I appreciate that you took the time to share it. However, just think about how many countless products there are where people will swear to the benefits because it 'makes them feel better' or countless other things they claim, but there isn't any evidence that the product does that.. If the product is switched out with a placebo, there is no difference in outcome or effects
pam Dec 10th 2012 10:59AM
Andrew, you're totally right, of course -- and I'm not the least bit offended by your comments. (Trust me, I've seen much worse.) The product is marketed as effective and without the ability (or inclination, really) to do my own blind study, I can only present what's, at best, anecdotal evidence. I used it, here's what happened for me, for the curious, only.