Are Sleep Patches Safe?

The amount and quality of sleep we get every night impacts every aspect of our life, including our mood, long-term health, and even our memory. However, sleep evades approximately 15% of individuals worldwide– that’s at least a billion people who are suffering from insomnia alone! 

Since sleep poses a challenge for so many individuals, it’s no surprise that countless devices and tools have emerged to help. With so many devices available, it can be a challenge to determine which are truly safe, effective, and backed by science–and which are nothing more than clever marketing tricks.

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Sleep patches have been popular for decades, and for good reason. They use transdermal medical technology to deliver sleep-supporting compounds into the bloodstream. Many people regularly use sleep patches to help them fall and stay asleep, but new users often wonder about the safety of sleep patches.

In short, you should always consult your doctor before starting any new supplement or medication. However, a high-quality sleep patch that uses natural, trusted supplements is perfectly safe for healthy adults to use. 

Continue reading to learn how sleep patches work and the major elements you should pay attention to when shopping for a sleep patch.

Sleep Patches: A New Version of Transdermal Patches

In essence, every sleep patch is a variation of a transdermal patch. Although humans have been applying medicine to the skin for centuries, the modern transdermal patch was invented in the mid-1900s. 

Transdermal patches provide major benefits over other forms of drug/supplement delivery thanks to the unique nature of the skin. The skin forms the largest organ in the human body. Furthermore, the skin is capable of absorbing drugs or supplements externally, without ingesting or injecting. This allows for painless, non-invasive delivery.

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As an added benefit, the design of transdermal patches ensures that the exact dosage of medication is absorbed into the bloodstream. This guarantees a consistent dosage over a set period of time, maximizing therapeutic benefits and maintaining proper dosage.

Sleep patches, therefore, utilize this transdermal technology to deliver over-the-counter supplements that aid in sleep. As you’ve read above, transdermal patches offer a safe and effective way to take drugs or supplements.

Sleep Patch Formulations

Now that we know the patches themselves are perfectly safe, it’s time to look into what drugs or supplements sleep patches include. When shopping for sleep patches, you need to pay special attention to formulation.

Most sleep patches feature melatonin as their main ingredient. Our bodies naturally make the hormone melatonin in order to regulate our circadian rhythm. Since it’s naturally found in the body, it’s very difficult to take too much melatonin. Dosages between 1 – 30 mg are widely considered safe for adults.

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Sleep patches can also feature other gentle but effective supplements and herbs, such as chamomile, lavender, magnesium, B6, and more. 

However, some individuals have allergic reactions to melatonin supplements in any form. Other seemingly innocent ingredients such as lavender and skullcap can be allergens. Therefore it’s essential to investigate the formulation of sleep patches and consult with your doctor before use.

First, determine whether the ingredients listed are generally considered safe. Then confirm (with your doctor) that you don’t have any specific allergies, intolerances, or conditions that could make a generally safe sleep patch unsafe for you.

For example, our Capy Sleep Patch includes a signature blend of melatonin, chamomile, lavender, L-theanine, hops, valerian, magnesium, 5-HTP, gaba, passionflower, skullcap and B6 . These compounds naturally and safely support sleep for most adults. 

However, we created a special melatonin-free sleep patch for individuals with melatonin allergies or intolerance. Similarly, individuals with rare magnesium allergies should still refrain from using Capy Patch.

In short, most sleep patches provide safe, gentle supplements in controlled dosages. When searching for a sleep patch, practice due diligence by paying close attention to the formulation of the sleep patch and consulting with your doctor.

Sleep Patch Adhesives

If formulation represents the most important element of a sleep patch regarding safety and efficacy, then the patch adhesive comes in close second. Specifically, the adhesive used in a sleep patch determines how comfortably it peels off of the skin and how well the supplements become absorbed into the body.

By keeping the patch in constant contact with the skin (even as you toss and turn), adhesives make the supplement absorption possible.Heat-activated adhesives such as the ones used in our Capy Patches take advantage of body heat to ensure proper delivery all night long. There’s no benefit without a reliable adhesive! Since sleep patches have to keep up with even the most restless of sleepers, adhesives really are crucial to an effective sleep patch. 

Finally, adhesives should be skin-safe. This simply means that they don’t cause any pain damage to the skin when removed. Nothing ruins a peaceful morning like ripping off a painful sleep patch. Ouch!

In Summary: Yes, Sleep Patches Are Safe!

In conclusion, yes sleep patches are generally quite safe thanks to their transdermal technology and natural ingredients. Before adding a sleep patch to your routine, check out its active ingredients and consult with your doctor for any individual concerns you should consider.

If you’re ready to enjoy the benefits of a safe and effective sleep patch, check out our full line of sleep patches. Happy snoozing!