OTO Sleep Drops are considered to be top-tier when it comes to CBD oils, and if you're reading this, I wouldn't be surprised if you've already stumbled upon them once or twice. But for those who are just discovering the benefits of CBD-infused products, I also totally get the skepticism that comes with it. Why? Because I've been there and have had the same thoughts that might be going through your head right now: “Do they really work? And how can they help me?". Plus, when you're faced with a bottle that contains 15ml of product and costs more than £70, you may have a hard time justifying the price and figuring out whether it's genuinely worth the splurge.
On paper, they promise to help you get “the sleep of your dreams” and gently relax your body so that in the morning, you wake up fully refreshed with no grogginess in sight. And as someone who's been struggling with insomnia, to say that I was intrigued would be an understatement. Not to mention, I was curious to see whether it had the potential to help me on the mental health front, as I often get anxious right before going to bed, which is precisely what often results in me getting about 4-5 hours of sleep on average (6 hours on a good day).
To see whether it lives up to my high expectations, I decided to give it a go for a month and see if it genuinely helped improve the quality of my sleep that I so desperately needed (spoiler alert: it absolutely did). I closely monitored how I felt throughout my entire experience and avoided using any other relaxation-boosting remedies. So, if you're also part of the sleep-deprived club or someone who just needs a little boost to feel a bit more rested and grounded, you might want to tag along.
OTO Sleep Drops at a glance:
- GLAMOUR star rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Pros: helps achieve a healthy sleeping pattern, aids relaxation, vegan & cruelty-free
- Cons/reasons to avoid: expensive
- Our verdict: These CBD drops are unlike anything I've tried before when it came to battling my insomnia. Personally, I didn't notice any “instant” results, but the benefits of using them consistently over an extended period of time are undeniable. I can now sleep through the whole night (which used to be a rare occurrence for me) and wake up feeling refreshed and calm. As someone who also deals with anxiety and panic attacks right before going to sleep, I honestly can't recommend this product enough.
Meet the reviewer: Denise Primbet, GLAMOUR's Beauty Commerce Writer
As we've already established, I've been struggling with insomnia for the better part of my adult life. So, I'm way too familiar with irregular sleeping patterns and pulling all-nighters (and no, I'm not talking about the kind that you'd pull over a fast-approaching deadline at uni). I'm also no stranger to staring at the ceiling while lying awake at night without a hint of sleep in my eyes. To give you an idea, I usually go to bed around 11pm every day but only manage to fall asleep around 2-3am, leaving me with about 4-5 hours of sleep on the daily (yep, tragic, I know).
And if that's not enough, the anxiety only makes it worse. The thoughts that race through my head before bed are so overwhelming that sleep is the furthest thing on my mind. And trust me, nothing quite compares to how frustrating it is to feel that your body is beyond exhausted but despite all efforts, you're not being able to give it the rest that it deserves. Over the years, my insomnia hasn't stayed at the same level – it would deteriorate and then settle depending on a number of factors, but over the past 6 months, it's gotten worse.
Having tried nearly every remedy in the book (be it sleeping aids with valerian or lavender, oil diffusers, baths, and even antihistamines), nothing seemed to have helped me long-term, and even if it did, it would often leave me feeling groggy and drowsy for a good couple of days. When I read up on the benefits of cannabidiol and MCT, both of which are included in the OTO Sleep Drops, I was curious to find out more. So without any further ado, let's break down how it works and what it's made from.
Product deep dive
When picking a CBD-infused product, the first thing you want to look at is the dosage. Although the bottle only contains 15ml of product, it also includes 1500mg of pure CBD, which is one of the most potent and optimal dosages that you can find in a product of its kind. Considering you only need one dropper a day, it's designed to last you a full 30 days. Speaking of dosage, one dropper provides you with 50mg of pure CBD, which, according to OTO, is the research-recommended amount to actually impact your sleep.
The formula consists of 100% naturally deprived ingredients, including MCT oil, cannabidiol (CBD), lavender extract, butterfly pea flower extract, field mint extract, liquorice extract, lavender oil and spearmint oil. Among these, you'll notice ingredients such as lavender, which is a known relaxation aid, as well as butterfly pea flower, which helps you feel calm and balanced and is a common ingredient in herbal teas.
GLAMOUR road test: 1 month later
As directed, I used the OTO Sleep Drops every day right before going to bed and admittedly, I didn't notice a huge difference immediately after the first use. Although I did feel more relaxed than usual, I still struggled to fall asleep as fast as I'd hoped to. That said, after using it consistently for a week, there was a noticeable shift in my sleeping pattern. I noticed that despite most definitely not being a morning person, I started waking up feeling more energised than before. After two weeks, I started sleeping for 6 hours consistently, and although it still wasn't close to the recommended 8 hours, I woke up feeling as if I had a full night's worth of sleep, which was a significant improvement. Another small but a very nice soothing benefit was that this product leaves a pleasantly refreshing minty aftertaste that's not too overpowering.
On that note, I'd like to point out that if you're thinking of buying the product, don't expect it to “knock you out” instantly – it really don't have that kind of power. But guess what? That's a good thing. Instead, you'll drift off to sleep gently and seamlessly. And the best part is that you're not going to feel too tired or groggy the next day. On the contrary, I noticed that I felt more grounded and focused throughout the day and after a month has passed, I realised that even my anxiety had improved. I won't lie, I don't think there's a way to make it fully disappear with CBD alone, but if there's anything that's helped me manage my anxiety, this product is pretty high up on the list.
Bottom line
Overall, I'd say that the OTO Sleep Drops are definitely worth the splurge if you're after something that aids relaxation and helps work towards having a healthier sleeping pattern. It's also worth noting that I haven't used a lot of CBD-infused products in the past, so I'm unable to compare it to its competitors. In the wellness category, the OTO Sleep Drops are hard to beat. Not only did they help me establish a sleeping pattern that's admittedly not perfect but closer to healthy than it's ever been, they've also been a huge help on the mental health front. I've also recently discovered that the brand stocks mini travel-size versions of the Sleep Drops as well as the day-time Power Drops that cost just £29. So, if you're a bit intimidated by the price of the full-sized product, my advice is having a go at the mini version to see if it works for you.
OTO Sleep DropsYour questions answered:
- What is CBD? According to Gemma Colao, founder and creative director at OTO, “CBD stands for cannabidiol, which is one of the main cannabinoids found in the hemp plant. It's made by extracting CBD from the cannabis plant and diluting it with [carrier oils] such as hemp seed oil or coconut oil so it can be ingested or applied topically."
- How is CBD different from THC? Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD is not a psychoactive cannabinoid and therefore won't make you feel high or intoxicated. As a matter of fact, most – if not all – CBD-infused products in the UK make a conscious effort to limit the amount of THC in their products to the point that it's either untraceable or removed from the formulation entirely.
- Are CBD oils safe to use? Generally, yes. However, you should aim to avoid using them if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or under 18.
- Is CBD legal in the United Kingdom? In short, yes. Over-the-counter CBD oils are legal in the UK and the substance has also been declared safe by the WHO (World Health Organisation). However, it's worth noting that the UK does not regulate CBD products, meaning the quality and content is not closely monitored by the government.
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