I tried the 16p Boots dupes of Kourtney Kardashian's Lemme gummies – there's an agonising side-effect I couldn't stand

The Sun

2 days ago

WITH a to-do-list as long as my forearm, getting a full eight hours of sleep is something that rarely ever happens in my life.
As someone with a VERY busy social life and an incredibly intense job, a good quality night's sleep is something I often strive for, but often don't experience.
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So could a so-called 'science-backed' capsule created by Kourtney Kardashian's supplements brand be the answer?
Lemme Sleep Tight Gummies claim to 'help you fall asleep and stay asleep', whilst helping you 'wake up feeling refreshed'.
The supplement contains melatonin, which helps you to fall asleep and promotes restful sleep patterns, while Magnesium, L-Theanine and a dreamy blend of Chamomile, Lavender and Elderberry let you drift off in peace.
But at £23 a pop and my purse feeling tighter than ever before, I was on a mission to find something slightly more purse-friendly.
And that's where the Habi Bedtime Sleep Gummies from Boots come in.
At just £10 for a pack of 60, this high-street buy, which works out at just 16p per gummy, appeared to be a much kinder solution to my sore wallet.
But could this dupe, which is part of Boots' 'vibrant and fresh' new approach to wellness, help me sleep?
I've noticed numerous five star reviews of the gummies online and many have reported noticing improvements in sleep quality.
One happy shopper beamed: 'Bought when they came out a few weeks ago and I take one one hour before bed and definitely have a deeper and longer sleep.'
Meanwhile, another added: 'Doesn't send me to sleep quicker, but definitely a deeper sleep!'
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A whirlwind two weeks
So in an attempt to feel less tired all of the time, I thought I'd see what the fuss was all about.
But I can safely say, the past two weeks have been an absolute whirlwind in terms of my sleep.
The best sleep routine and environment
Thomas Høegh Reisenhus, TEMPUR® sleep specialist & sleep counsellor, reveals the key components of a good bedtime routine and environment...
A sure-fire way to facilitate a better night's sleep is to practice good sleep hygiene.
Establish a sleep routine that works for you and stick to it.
This will help your body establish a consistent, natural sleep-wake cycle which can do wonders for your overall sleep quality.
As such, try to avoid making up for lost sleep with a lie-in.
Instead of sleeping in, spend your morning reading a book in bed or having a leisurely coffee in the kitchen.
Ensure that your bedroom, bedding, and sleepwear are fit for purpose too.
The ideal sleep environment is dark, quiet, and cool – much like a cave.
If you find unwelcome sources of light are keeping you up, consider investing in an eye mask or black-out curtains.
Adding soft furnishings can be a great way to reduce noise, with the surfaces having an absorptive quality, but if this doesn't work, consider embracing a soothing soundtrack to block it out.
In terms of temperature, try to keep your bedroom at 18°C. You can further reduce the risk of waking up due to overheating by ensuring that all your bedding and sleepwear is made with natural, breathable materials such as cotton and linen.
Bear in mind that everyone is different; what might work for most, may not work for you!
Whilst knowing how much sleep you should get, how to overcome common barriers, and practicing good sleep hygiene can facilitate a great night's sleep, if you continue to struggle with sleep or fatigue persistently, do not hesitate to visit a doctor or health professional for support.
From hours of tossing and turning to the most vivid dreams I've ever had, it's been bizarre.
Despite that, normally I always wake up in the middle of the night, desperate for a wee, but thankfully, there's been none of that.
Every night, just before bed, I've been having my dose of one capsule a day.
Hours of tossing and turning
But rather than 'drift into dream land' as Boots bosses suggest, I found myself tossing and turning for hours.
The first two nights after chewing on the gummy, which I have to say is delicious, I battled sleep until the early hours.
I put my phone down and was ready to catch some Zs just before 10pm, but by 1am, I was still wide awake.
I even resorted to the age-old classic of counting sheep - that's how agonising it was
Abby Wilson
I'm not someone who normally struggles to get to sleep, or has a brain overflowing with thoughts as soon as they hit the sack, but for some reason, my head was on overdrive.
While I typically like to fall asleep to silence, I found myself desperately logging into YouTube and searching for 'sounds to fall asleep to', in the hope that anything would help.
Not only this, but I even resorted to the age-old classic of counting sheep - that's how agonising it was.
The 'flavoured food supplement' gummies, which are suitable for adults and children aged 12 years and over, contain Griffonia Seed and Lemon Balm Extracts, alongside Vitamin B6, which is said to help you end your day with a clear mind.
According to those at Boots, the gummies, which are vegetarian and vegan, are 'believed to help support sleep and relaxation', but I can't say they worked for me.
Feeling exhausted
Despite two nights of hell, the third night I actually had a decent sleep, but surprisingly, woke up feeling exhausted.
But things soon began to pick up as a few days later, I had one of the best sleeps I've had in a long time.
Unfortunately, the improvements in my sleep habits didn't seem to last, as on reflection, it appears that in the two weeks of taking these gummies, I've had many more bad nights than good.
Not only does my brain appear to go into overdrive as soon as I hit the pillow, but I've never felt so restless, agitated and unsettled as much in my life.
Having said that, I do think my sleep is deeper once I'm finally off.
The gummies, which are free from artificial colours, flavours and preservatives, are DELICIOUS, so much so that I'd be tempted to demolish the whole box in one sitting.
Top tips and tricks for winding down for sleep before bed
EMILY Robertson, from Mira Showers, shared their top sleep hacks, particularly for during hot weather.
Wind down with purpose
About an hour before bed, start dimming lights around your home.
This signals to your brain that it's time to produce melatonin, your natural sleep hormone.
Think of it as helping your body shift gears from "daytime mode" to "sleep mode."
Disconnect to reconnect
Put away phones, tablets, and laptops at least 30 minutes before bedtime.
The blue light from screens tricks your brain into thinking it's still daytime.
Instead, try reading a physical book or magazine under soft lighting.
Take a warm shower
A 10-minute warm shower about an hour before bed helps trigger your body's natural cooling process afterward, which makes falling asleep easier.
The gentle warmth also relaxes tight muscles from your day.
Try gentle stretching
A few simple stretches can release physical tension.
Focus on your neck, shoulders, and back - areas where we tend to hold stress.
Just 5 minutes can make a big difference.
Sip something soothing
A small cup of caffeine-free tea like chamomile, lavender, or valerian can be a lovely ritual.
Just drink it about an hour before bed so you're not waking up for bathroom trips.
They are part of HABI's new range of 15 supplement gummies and taste just like blackcurrant wine gums, an all-time favourite sweet treat of mine.
But the mouth-watering taste of these lactose free gummies is not worth the agonising pain of tossing and turning for hours on end.
Nor is it worth the burning eyes the next day when I try to concentrate at my desk after getting just four hours of sleep, something that even a coffee can't fix.
Joe Thorley-Mitchell, the Director of Boots Brand, said: 'I'm excited to finally be able to reveal HABI, which puts good habits over hype', but I can't say these gummies are a habit I'll be sticking to.
I'm a fan of the bold, playful packaging, but for me, I think I'll stick to tuning into ASMR if I can't get a good night's sleep.
'Complete waste of money'
And despite the glowing reviews, it turns out I'm not the only one who's struggled to fall asleep since trying these high-street gummies.
Other Boots shoppers have been left equally as disappointed by the supplement and many have also claimed that it 'keeps you awake rather than helps you sleep'.
One frustrated shopper angrily slammed: 'Does nothing at all, actually kept me awake...complete waste of money.'
Not only this, but a second agreed: 'Doesn't make you sleep faster at all, had no effect on my sleep.'
Meanwhile, someone else claimed it had the 'opposite effect' of a deep sleep, just like I experienced, and chimed in: 'Instead of helping me sleep I am instead still wide awake and struggling to sleep four hours after taking one.'
For £10, they're not exactly going to break the bank, but you bet I won't be buying these gummies again.