I never thought I’d sleep soundly without melatonin — until I tried this new sleep remedy

Like many college students running on self-inflicted sleep deprivation, I became pretty accustomed to drugging myself to get to sleep — with melatonin.

The only way I could fall asleep was by popping not one, but two gummies every night. At first, it worked like clockwork. Ten minutes after taking them, I’d start to feel drowsy, and soon after, I’d be out until 10:00 AM the next morning. I never thought any other kind of sleep support would stand a chance.

Somewhere along the way, the side effects started. I began getting headaches, feeling constantly groggy and started having bizarre nightmares, often about taking exams slated for the next morning. Once I started suffering from sleep paralysis, it was game over. My brain would suddenly wake up, while my body remained frozen. It was terrifying.

None of these side effects are unheard of. Melatonin is a psychoactive hormone known to disrupt the body’s circadian rhythm. That’s partly why I believe it worked so well for me at first. I was essentially forcing my body into sleep mode. Ultimately, the side effects were not worth it, and left me searching for alternative solutions to manage my stress-induced insomnia.

Years later, as a working mom with a tireless toddler, I found myself back in a familiar, and arguably much more severe, state of sleep deprivation. For several months, my daughter was waking up twice during the night. Getting myself ready for work by 7:30 AM felt nearly impossible.

A few things certainly helped in my quest to improve my sleep. A supportive mattress, cooling sheets, and breathable bamboo pajamas were all somewhat impactful. However, nothing I tried made me feel truly rested or helped me. That is, until I tried AG1’s sleep supplement, AGZ.

What is AGZ?

I’d heard of AG1, the signature greens supplement with over 75 vitamins, minerals and whole-food sourced ingredients. Hugh Jackman has invested in it, and it’s backed by a throng of Olympic gold medalists, wellness enthusiasts and even supermodels, like Gwyneth Paltrow and Cindy Crawford.

Where I live, on the edge of Williamsburg, it’s nearly impossible to walk around without spotting an AG1 ad proudly promoting its NSF Certified for Sport status. The message is clear: AG1 isn’t just another supplement; it’s in a league of its own, made for people who train like athletes.

When I found out that AG1 would be launching a new product for the first time in 15 years, I was pretty curious. When I found out that said product would be a melatonin-free sleep supplement, I knew I had to get my hands on it immediately.

AGZ is advertised as “a nighttime drink to support restful, restorative sleep.” How does that work exactly? By blending third-party tested, clinically-studied adaptogens, herbs and minerals designed to support the body’s circadian rhythm — winding down, sleeping and waking up.

AGZ is paleo, vegan and vegetarian-friendly; however, it is not recommended for anyone under 18, pregnant or breastfeeding. Currently, AGZ is available in three delicious flavors: mixed berry, chocolate and chocolate mint.

What ingredients are in AGZ?

Rather than focusing on one element of sleep, AGZ has carefully selected ingredients to support you at each stage of rest, so you don’t just relax and ease into sleep but also wake up refreshed.

For nighttime support, AGZ includes L-theanine and ashwagandha, which are known to support the nervous system and help support healthy levels of the stress hormone, cortisol.

During the sleep phase, AGZ also incorporates magnesium L-threonate and valerian with lemon balm, all to help support natural melatonin production and improve sleep quality.

A research-backed dose of saffron is added for waking up refreshed, to help support mood and vitality from the start of the day.

How do you take AGZ?

As a health and wellness writer, I’ve tested dozens of vitamins, supplements and even subjected myself to a couple of homeopathic, herbal cleanses. There are very few remedies that I’m afraid to try, but there are plenty that I’m skeptical will work.

Given the company’s legacy as a leading global health company, AGZ is one product I was very hopeful about. Still, I wasn’t convinced that any remedy could work for me as well as pure melatonin. From my understanding, AGZ uses herbs that can support the production of melatonin. Promising.

On first glance at the directions, everything seemed pretty straightforward. AGZ is designed to be taken roughly 90 minutes before bed, helping to signal to your body that it’s time to wind down. Personally, I’ve found that it kicks in much faster, but I’ll get to that later.

With flavors like mint chocolate, chocolate, and mixed berry, it tastes much more like a healthy dessert than a supplement. On the site, there’s actually an entire page dedicated to different AGZ recipes, including an oat milk cocoa and refreshing mint water (I suggest the latter for a hot summer day).

My review: AGZ

One of the first things I noticed about AGZ is that it comes in easy-to-grab, pre-portioned packets placed in a sturdy, compact box. In my opinion, this type of packaging is a world better than a space-wasting, flimsy bag filled to the brim with powder. 

These packets are simple, mess-free and deliver exactly what you need, taking all the guesswork out of your supplement routine. For myself, thoughtful packaging goes a long way in building lasting habits. If I don’t enjoy taking it or don’t have time to take it, I simply won’t take it. This was part of the reason I initially fell into the trap of melatonin gummies.

The brand recommends mixing the AGZ powder with 4 to 6 ounces of water or your milk of choice and enjoying it cold, warm, or at room temperature. Personally, I avoid overly hot drinks. I worry that high temperatures might reduce the potency of certain ingredients.

I’ve tried AGZ now with every milk in my fridge, as well as coconut water and regular water, and certainly prefer the creamier pairings, but as far as a supplement goes, it’s pretty tasty no matter how you prepare it. The flavor profile certainly leans sweet, but it’s still light enough that you don’t go to bed feeling heavy. For a smooth, velvety consistency, I recommend using the included frother.

I’ve been taking AGZ for a few weeks now, and saying I’m impressed would be an understatement. I usually give supplements at least two weeks before forming an opinion, but with AGZ, I noticed the benefits almost immediately, after the very first serving.

About thirty minutes after taking my nightly dose, I’ll catch myself yawning, and thirty minutes after that, I’m more than ready for bed. One night, I took it and decided to go for a short walk outside, only to turn back because all I wanted to do was curl up and sleep. Per my Apple Health data, I was falling asleep within an hour of taking AGZ.

As for the sleep itself, I’ve had a few dreams, but nothing out of the ordinary, and definitely nothing unsettling. For the most part, I sleep soundly through the night. On the rare occasion my daughter wakes me up asking for pancakes at 4:00 a.m., I somehow manage to get us both back to sleep rather quickly and calmly. All without the regular dread and anxiety of morning looming.

I’m not sure I’ve felt a dramatic difference in daytime energy. However, to be fair, it’s hard to isolate that with the matcha, coffee, and occasional energy drinks I rely on. That said, I do feel noticeably more grounded and balanced, especially for the first half-hour of the day.

My only real gripe with AGZ is that it contains herbal and adaptogenic ingredients that haven’t been proven safe for use during pregnancy. Ironically, pregnancy was when my sleep struggles were at their worst, and I can’t help but feel that something like this could have made a world of difference during that time. Still, I’m glad that the warning is visible on the label and website.

Final verdict: Does AGZ really work?

I was curious whether AGZ was all hype or actually effective. Now, after a few weeks of using it, I can confidently say it works for me, and due to its pleasant taste and convenient packaging, it’s been surprisingly easy to implement into my typical nightly routine. Unlike melatonin, it doesn’t seem like I’m forcing myself to sleep. And on the nights I’ve skipped it, I’ve still slept fine. 

I concur, $79/month for a subscription to any supplement is steep, but if you’re desperate for a good night’s sleep, it might just be worth the investment. Now I am the one who sounds like the walking advertisement.

How we tested

I tested AGZ over the course of two weeks, using it nearly every night about an hour before bed. During that time, I evaluated the product based on several factors: how quickly I fell asleep, the overall quality of my sleep, whether I experienced any side-effects/withdrawals, how I felt during the day and practical elements like ease of use, taste and texture.

• Ease of use: As with any supplement, clear packaging, labeling and simple instructions are key to making it easy to incorporate into a daily routine. I looked at the quality and durability of the packaging, the convenience of the single-serving packets, and how easy it was to follow the directions for mixing the powder into different liquids.
• Taste and texture: Taste and texture are important features of any supplement intended for nightly use. For AGZ, I tested both the Chocolate and Chocolate Mint flavors in a variety of liquids — including almond milk, oat milk, coconut water and plain water — to evaluate how well it mixes, the texture, thickness, aftertaste, overall flavor profile and how full I felt after taking it.
• Sleep onset and quality: Since AGZ is designed to support both falling and staying asleep, I used my Apple Health data to track the time I fell asleep each night. I also kept notes on whether I experienced any unusual dreams, how often I woke up during the night, and how long it took me to fall back asleep after any interruptions.
• Daytime impact: AGZ also incorporates herbs and adaptogens to support waking up and feeling refreshed. Each day, I noted the time I naturally woke up and how long it took me to feel mentally clear and physically energized. I also observed whether I experienced any grogginess, mood dips or any kind of sluggishness during the day.
• Withdrawals and side effects: Given my past use and dependence on melatonin, I paid close attention to any side effects or withdrawal symptoms of using AGZ — including signs like headaches and digestive issues. I intentionally went a few nights without taking AGZ to evaluate whether there were any effects, including whether it would be difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep.

This article was written by Miska Salemann, New York Post Commerce Writer/Reporter. As a health-forward member of Gen Z, Miska seeks out experts to weigh in on the benefits, safety and designs of both trending and tried-and-true fitness equipment, workout clothing, dietary supplements and more. Taking matters into her own hands, Miska intrepidly tests wellness products, ranging from Bryan Johnson’s Blueprint Longevity Mix to home gym elliptical machines to Jennifer Aniston’s favorite workout platform – often with her adorable one-year old daughter by her side. Before joining The Post, Miska covered lifestyle and consumer topics for the U.S. Sun and The Cannon Beach Gazette.