BBC Morning Live doctor issues ‘sleep patches’ alert

BBC Morning Live regular and resident GP, Doctor Xand van Tulleken, has urged viewers to be careful when spending money on products that promise better sleep, warning that many may simply be ineffective and costly. If you enter “sleep patches” into Google, suggested searches include “sleep patches that actually work” and “sleep patches scam.”

Addressing the debate directly, Dr Xand suggested the products could indeed be a scam. During an episode of the BBC breakfast programme (October 27), he said: “Sleep patches are the next big thing in sleeping aids as much as it is the next big money-making thing in people who are exploiting vulnerable people who don’t have enough sleep.”

He explained: “When you haven’t had enough sleep, you are tired, so it’s hard to make good decisions – and it’s something that makes people incredibly anxious. So there’s a huge amount of money to be made selling cures and treatments and things like that. Sleep patches typically run from 50p up to £1 a day. £1 a day may not sound like too much, but over a year, that is something you would be taking for the rest of your life.“

When adding all that up, he noted: “You’re at £1,000 within three years. That’s enough for a nice weekend break where you can actually get some sleep and check into a nice hotel. Save your money.”

He warned people who struggle to sleep that “patches are often pushing things like melatonin.” He added: “Melatonin is not a miracle cure or tranquilliser. It’s all about resetting your sleep rhythm, which seems to work well for jet lag, not for other things.”

In his final warning about the sleeping aid, he asked people: “Do not spend your time, energy and money on sleep patches.”

NHS sleep warning – do you think or feel these?

If you are struggling to sleep, health experts at NHS inform have noted that if you notice the signs and symptoms below, it could be time to seek help.

How your body might feel

tired/exhausted
restless
lacking energy
weak/heavy – as if you can’t get out of bed

Thoughts you might have

“I’m never going to get enough sleep.”
“I’m going to have a terrible day tomorrow.”
“I’ll be awake all night.”
“I’ll fall asleep at work and get in trouble.”

Feelings you might have

so tired it makes you feel upset or depressed
tense or stressed
irritable or short-tempered
angry or impatient
worried

Things you might do

try to catch up on sleep during the day
watch TV or use your phone in bed to pass the time
lie awake in bed at night
check the time a lot during the night
smoke (cannabis or nicotine) hoping it will help you relax
drink alcohol hoping it will help you sleep

How your life might be affected

you might have an irregular sleep pattern, with no real routine
you might have difficulty concentrating
it might be hard to motivate yourself to start your day
you might not want to spend time with friends and family

Do you need support?

If you are feeling distressed, in a state of despair, suicidal or you need of emotional support, you can phone NHS 24 on 111 for free. If you feel you need more help with your mental health, try speaking to your GP, or search for mental health and wellbeing services in your area.

For information and advice when you’re feeling down, you can phone Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87.

The Breathing Space phoneline is available: