Performance Lab refers to their products as ‘the most sophisticated nutritional supplement system for optimising daily performance and long-range health’. From the products I’ve seen so far, I’m inclined to believe them. While there are lots of incredible natural supplement ranges out their, Performance Lab always seem to go the extra mile. Most of their products contain a range of science-backed ingredients instead of the usual one or two. Also, every substance has been studied and optimised to ensure that they’re in the best form for quick absorption and potent effects.
This sleep supplement from their ‘Core Range’ contains no synthetic substance and is built around naturally sourced melatonin. One bottle contains 60 capsules which, with a recommended serving of two per day gives you a months supply. With each serving, you get 500mg of Montmorency tart cherry concentrate which is rich in melatonin. I’ve taken two capsules approximately 30 minutes before bed, every night for the last month.
Table of Contents
First Impressions
The professional-looking packaging and informative label immediately gave me confidence that this is a high-quality product. Whatever you want to know about this supplement, you’ll likely find it on the bottle, box or the product page on the website.
I rarely have trouble staying asleep, but I often struggle to calm my mind enough to drift off. I was keen to see if this supplement would have an effect. I’ve used a few vitamin and mineral products aimed at supporting sleep before but nothing that contained melatonin, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Along with the melatonin you also get:
- Magnesium (100mg)
- L-Tryptophan (250mg)
Who is Performance Lab?
Performance Lab is an international supplier of high-performance supplements based in the UK with facilities in the US. Each product is designed and formulated in the UK and then manufactured in New Jersey, US. They use the latest science to produce biologically active natural supplements.
Performance Lab creates products that can be added to a balanced diet to improve health, wellbeing and sports performance. Instead of using whole foods or standard synthetic methods, they use a technique they call NutriGenesis. NutriGenesis is a method of producing specific nutrients in lab conditions from single-celled organisms like yeast. The result is nutrients in a form that is highly potent and can be quickly recognised and absorbed by your body.
All of the ingredients they used are subject to numerous safety checks at every stage of production, and the majority are patented versions that have been proven to be highly effective and fast-acting. Most of their range is free from GMO, soy, allergens, gluten, synthetic additives and suitable for vegans.
Awards and Certifications
The manufacturing arm of Performance lab is known as Optinutra and is FDA registered, certified as achieving the standards of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and has a USDA organic certification.
They are also certified by the Natural Products Association and are European Supplement Commission compliant. On their website and the Optinutra site, they detail molecular level testing that is conducted at multiple stages to ensure that each product is up to scratch. They also say that they employ a third-party to verify their results and verify their standards.
The level of authorisation and verification here is beyond anything that I’ve seen from any brand before. The only drawback is that Performance Lab gives no examples of the results of these tests and quality analysis. For me, the final step would be to see an example of the analysis with the product to verify the precise contents and screening for contaminants.
I would have awarded a higher score if: There was a copy of the third-party analysis available for customers to view.
Ease of Use
Capsules are likely one of the most straightforward ways to consume a supplement. These are large, but I found it easy to swallow the recommended serving of two capsules with a small amount of water.
The shells are patented as NutriCaps, made entirely of fermented tapioca and are entirely vegan. They are designed to dissolve quickly and cleanly in your stomach, allowing the fine powder inside to absorb effectively in your gut.
The information and directions on the packet and website are second to none. There is a detailed explanation about each ingredient, and the FAQs section allows you to explore many of Performance Labs processes in more detail.
The bottle is lightweight yet sturdy, and although I always take them at home in the evening, they would be easy to take with you in a pocket or bag. The only extra I would’ve liked to have seen is a child-safe cap, they aren’t standard for supplements, but they would be a welcome addition.
Taste
The capsules have no noticeable flavour and added no taste to the water as I swallowed them.
How Effective Are They?
These sleep supplements have been designed to have a relaxing effect on your muscles, nervous system and mind. On the first few nights of taking them, I wasn’t sure if they’d had any effect; I seemed to sleep ok, but I could tell if it was any better than usual. After I’d been using them for a week, I noticed that my sleep was more regular, and my entire/wake cycle had improved.
Once I’d taken the recommended two capsules, I typically fell asleep within 15 minutes of getting into bed. I then wouldn’t wake until my alarm went at six. During the day I also noticed a difference, in the past, after lunch on most days I usually hit a slump and feel very tired and exhausted, and then the same again at about 7 pm. However, now this rarely happens, and in fact, I feel more awake and alert during the day than I’ve ever felt before.
Having used them now for a full month, the improvements have been impressive. I now get to sleep promptly every night without fail and wake up in the morning feeling ready for the day. This is a real change for me because previously I’d often find my mind was full of thoughts that kept me awake until 1 or 2 in the morning. But now, I sleep sooner, and during the day, I feel alert and focussed.
I would have awarded a higher score if: I had noticed a difference immediately.
Value for Money
A month’s supply for £29 plus shipping isn’t cheap for a sleep supplement, but because of how effective I found it, for me, it’s worth it. I’d ideally like to see the results of the third-party lab analysis, but this is easier to overlook because of the results it produced. Natural melatonin supplements can be hard to find, and this one is well made, potent and effective.
I would have awarded a higher score if: there was more information available about the lab analysis.
My Supplement Recommendations
These are products that I currently use and enthusiastically recommend:
Multivitamin – Nutrigenesis Multi for Men or Nutrigenesis for Women. Performance Lab use their patented Nutrigenesis technique to provide a range of vitamins and minerals in their most effective form. Read my review.
Nootropic – Mind Lab Pro contains eleven natural nootropics that have been proven to support cognitive function and brain health. Read my review.
Collagen – Edible Health Bovine Collagen. This excellent bovine collagen powder is completely tasteless and absorbs quickly into any liquid. It’s third-party lab tested and provides 13g of collagen per serving. Read my review.
Turmeric – VitaBright Organic Turmeric with Ginger and Black Pepper. These turmeric capsules are organic, effective and affordable. They include black pepper to enhance curcumin absorption and ginger to provide additional useful benefits. Read my review.
Incredible value – G&G Vitamin 28 day packs This is the most affordable way to buy supplements in the UK. One tub holds 28 daily packs of up to 11 different vitamins, minerals or food supplements.
You may also be interested in reading the best multivitamins UK, best nootropic supplements UK or 7 top tips for a better night’s sleep.
Related reviews: Mind Lab Pro Review, Brain Feed’s Theanine Capsules Review, Living Nutrition’s Cognitive Supplement Review and Testo Lab Pro.