Proper Review: Are These The Best Natural Sleep Supplements?

According to the CDC, a third of adults in the US report sleeping less than the recommended amount. The same report found that a lack of sleep is linked to chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and even depression. [1] 

With these risks in place, getting a good night’s sleep shouldn’t be a luxury. The CDC is just one of many sources confirming what we already suspected, that getting enough sleep is vitally important for our well-being. 

Maybe you have trouble getting to sleep at night, or perhaps it’s that you can’t stay asleep, and you get restless throughout the night. There are many reasons why you might end up feeling sleep-deprived. But the main question is, what can you do about it?

This is where solutions like those from Proper might be useful. Proper is a sleep wellness company providing natural sleep supplements and sleep coaching services to help their customers improve their sleep health.

Their sleep formulations are either focused on just achieving better sleep or on sleep combined with other health concerns. For example, they have Sleep + Immunity supplements which also support a healthy immune system.

Meanwhile, their sleep coaching gives you an action plan for your own individual sleep habits. 

By pushing both approaches simultaneously, Proper aims to offer a holistic solution for their sleep-deprived customers, to help them rest and feel better. 

Is the Proper approach a good fit for your needs? Let’s dive in and find out.

What is Proper?

Proper’s core focus is to provide long-term sleep health solutions. They use a holistic approach that combines sleep coaching with high-quality, natural sleep supplements.

These supplements include Core Sleep and Sleep + Restore, among others.

Proper is a relatively new company based in New York City. The founders wanted to study each person’s individual habits and lifestyles to offer a tailored solution.

Their goal is to achieve long-term results for their clients. And to avoid reliance on short-term, quick-fix solutions that don’t help in the long run.

Proper Sleep Supplements Review

Proper has a variety of sleep supplements in its range. All use natural ingredients and herb extracts:

• Core Sleep
• Sleep + Restore
• Sleep + Calm
• Sleep + Immunity
• Sleep + Clarity

Of the five mentioned, the first two also have a “Proper CBD” version. Here we break down what’s in each one of these supplements in their range and who could be good for: 

Natural Sleep Supplements by Proper

The last three formulations – Sleep + Calm, Sleep + Immunity, and Sleep + Clarity – target specific setbacks in the body that may be caused by a lack of sleep: stress, immunity, and cognitive function, respectively.

This is alongside the help they provide with common sleep problems such as getting to sleep and having good sleep quality.

Proper CBD Sleep Supplements

Proper also have a Proper CBD range. This includes their two most popular formulations, Core Sleep and Sleep + Restore. These are each given an additional ingredient of 25 mg broad spectrum CBD.

What Exactly Are CBD Sleep Supplements?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a chemical compound that comes from the cannabis plant. 

Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is present in marijuana, CBD is not psychoactive. This means it won’t get you “high,” and you won’t experience a lowered cognitive function. 

CBD is used in many oils and supplements because it can have a relaxing effect. It may reduce cortisol levels at night, which helps bring down stress levels so that you can fall asleep more easily. It could also help increase sleep duration.

Research is ongoing on CBD and how exactly it works in the body to deliver these results. However, a recent study of 103 participants taking CBD for insomnia found that 67% of participants reported better sleep while using CBD.

In the same study, 25% of participants also reported having worsened sleep. So it’s important to remember that everyone’s body is different and could react differently. Although CBD supplements are sold over-the-counter in many states, always consult your doctor before starting them. [2]

Proper offers two main CBD supplements, which are based on their key formulations:

Free Sleep Coaching Session with supplements: Proper

Core Sleep with CBD

This formulation uses Core Sleep’s ingredients plus broad-spectrum CBD and omega-3 oil.

The CBD is sourced from a supplier in Oregon who offers full traceability. As mentioned earlier, CBD is THC-free and used mainly for its relaxing effects. The omega-3 oil is wild-sourced from Nova Scotia.

Free From: GMOs, sugar, artificial colors, or binders. Suitable for vegans. 

Active Ingredients: Core Sleep formulation + 25 mg broad spectrum CBD + omega-3 oil and terpenes.

Helps with: relaxing in the evenings, falling asleep and sleep duration.

Core Sleep with CBD

Free Sleep Coaching Session with supplements: Proper

CBD and Melatonin

The Core Sleep + Restore with CBD combines melatonin and CBD to give a stronger relaxation effect in the evenings.

It has all the benefits of the natural ingredients in the standard ‘Core’ sleep formulation, plus MicroActive melatonin, broad-spectrum CBD, and marine sourced omega-3 oil.

Free From: GMOs, sugar, artificial colors, or binders. Suitable for vegans. 

Active Ingredients: Core Sleep formulation + MicroActive melatonin (sustained-release) + 25 mg broad spectrum CBD + omega-3 oil and terpenes.

Helps with: relaxing and falling asleep, longer sleep duration.

Core Sleep + Restore with CBD

Comparison Table

Proper vs. Proper CBD Supplements:

Formulation	Core Sleep	Core Sleep + CBD
Active Ingredients	Senesoril Ashwagandha GABA Venetron Rafuma Leaf Extract Valerian Root Extract	Core Sleep Ingredients plus: Broad spectrum CBD Terpenes Algal omega-3 oil
Free From	Sugar Artificial colors Binders GMOs	Sugar Artificial colors Binders GMOs
Helps with	Falling asleep more easily Staying asleep Feeling rested after waking	Falling asleep more easily Staying asleep Feeling rested after waking Relaxation and dealing with stress
Bottle Size	60 capsules (30 nights)	30 capsules (15 nights)
Price	$39	$55.99
When do you take them?	2 capsules with water around 30-40 minutes before going to sleep.	2 capsules with water around 30-40 minutes before going to sleep.
Delivery Areas	Within the United States only.	Within the United States only.
Website	Proper	Proper CBD
Special Discounts	10% Off subscriptions plus free coaching consultation (for a limited time) Proper Core Sleep	10% Off subscriptions plus free coaching consultation (for a limited time) Proper Sleep with CBD

Proper’s Clinically Studied Ingredients

Proper supplements contain natural ingredients that are openly listed next to each supplement type.

Results of the clinical trials performed on the key ingredients are also displayed openly on their website. 

Some of these ingredients include:

Sensoril Ashwaghanda. Derived from the leaves and roots of a plant called Withania somnifera. It can reduce malondialdehyde and cortisol levels, key markers in stress. It can also help improve focus as well as support better sleep quality. 

Venetron is a powdered extract from the leaves of the Rafuma plant. It’s considered to reduce feelings of irritation, restlessness, and stress. In clinical trials, it was shown to improve initiation of sleep and also gave better sleep quality.

Valerian Root is an ancient herb that has been used to improve sleep and promote relaxation for thousands of years. It also allows GABA to have longer-lasting effects. 

GABA is a naturally occurring amino acid that stands for Gama aminobutyric acid. It is an inhibitory neurotransmitter as it slows down certain brain signals to decrease activity in the nervous system. It promotes calmness and relaxation while reducing excitability in the body. As it exists naturally in only a few foods, GABA has become a popular supplement. 

Free Sleep Coaching Session with supplements: Proper

What is the Difference Between Sleep Supplements and Pharmaceutical Drugs? 

Pharmaceutical drugs must undergo rigorous testing by the FDA before they are allowed onto the market. This testing then permits certain health claims to be displayed on the packaging of the product.

As sleep supplements are derived from natural ingredients, they don’t have FDA-approval. This is because they are classed as a dietary supplement and fall under the Dietary Health and Education Act. [3] 

This also means that the FDA cannot verify their health claims so none of Proper’s benefits should be interpreted to be health claims.

Instead, we must be guided by the results of the clinical trials shown. These outline the effectiveness of the particular ingredients and are on the web pages of each supplement.  

According to Proper, their supplements are drug-free and carefully formulated by experts. They also manufacture them in line with the FDA’s Good Manufacturing Practices guidelines.

What is the Best Herb for Deep Sleep?

Proper supplements contain many herbs that could help with deep sleep. These include:

• Melatonin
• Venetron
• Valerian Root
• CBD (optional)

Proper know that everyone’s body is different, so you should choose the combination of ingredients that work best for you. 

All supplements aim to support relaxation in the evenings and longer sleep times. However, choosing between the different formulations that are on offer can be difficult.

So Proper also offer a Discovery Trial Pack. This allows you to sample the five main supplements for five nights each, to choose the one that works best for you and your body.

Free Sleep Coaching Session with supplements: Proper

Proper Sleep Supplement Reviews

Proper is a relatively new company, but they already have a lot of positive reviews on their own website as well as a few emerging on third-party websites. 

From 80 reviews on an independent platform, their 4 sleep supplements – Sleep + Calm, Clarity, Immunity, and Restore – scored an average of 4.1 stars out of 5 stars between them.

Their most popular products are the Sleep + Calm and Sleep + Restore, which each scored 4.3 out of 5 stars from reviewers when examined on their own.

Most reviewers loved that the supplements were natural rather than pharmaceutical. They reported having a good night’s sleep and work up feeling more rested:

There was a reportedly ‘earthen’ smell to them, which some reviewers weren’t fans of, while others quite liked.

Some smell is to be expected as Proper don’t use any artificial flavors to cloak the scent or taste of the botanical extracts inside the supplements.

A few reviewers found they didn’t work for them. They were refunded as a result, which was something they appreciated.

Overall the sleep supplements were reported to be effective for many users at helping with insomnia and supporting quality sleep.

One man found Proper sleep supplements made him feel more refreshed in the morning than other supplements:

Are Proper Sleeping Solutions Worth Trying?

Proper Sleep Supplements are worth trying if you struggle with stress, poor sleep, lack of focus, or concentration. 

All of their supplements are natural and are designed to help with common symptoms of insomnia.

Depending on which product you choose from their range, they could also help support your immune system, deal with stress, fall asleep more easily, and experience improved focus in the daytime. 

Two of their formulas have a CBD option. These include an additional 25 mg broad-spectrum CBD and omega-3 oil.

In general, there is a real sense of transparency with Proper. The website states clearly what’s inside each supplement and how it works. You can also see a summary of clinical trial results for certain key ingredients so that you can judge their effectiveness.

At the moment, Proper are offering a free, one-time sleep coaching session with your first purchase. This is to help give you their multi-faceted approach to tackling insomnia, both through their supplements and through a customized sleep action plan.  

Free Sleep Coaching Session with supplements: Proper

Proper’s Sleep Coaching 

What is Sleep Coaching?

The idea of sleep coaching is that certain small changes to our daily routine can significantly affect our sleep quality. Having effective techniques and a customized approach can help us to achieve better sleep habits. 

Proper use cognitive behavioral therapy in their sleep coaching services. Research has shown that, over time, behavioral intervention is effective at improving sleep health, provided there aren’t specific sleep disorders involved.

At the moment, Proper are offering a free 30-minute consultation with your first supplement purchase. 

This consultation is with an experienced sleep coach who creates a tailored sleep action plan.

These sessions normally cost $65, so they’re a great bonus to have alongside the supplements. It’s not known how long Proper will continue to offer this service for free.

Proper Sleep Coaching Services

One-off sleep coaching sessions are offered for free with your first Proper supplement purchase.

However, Proper are also preparing a more regular sleep coaching service, which will work alongside the supplements. 

Users will get paired with a sleep coach who will review their individual needs and discuss potential sleep solutions with them. The process has 3 simple steps:

1. Fill out your details. This will inform them of your goals, needs, and possible sleep problems that you are experiencing. 
2. Have a 1:1 sleep coach session. This is done over a video call that lasts 30 minutes. The consultant will share some sleep practices and techniques that you could find useful, and you can discuss any specific concerns you have. 
3. Receive a personalized sleep action plan. This plan would have suggestions to help improve your sleep quality, both in the short and long-term.

Free Sleep Coaching Session with supplements: Proper

Advantages of Proper’s Sleep Coaching Services

Proper’s website lists a few key benefits of sleep coaching from research papers and clinical trials: 

1. Improved Sleep Health – by making certain behavioral changes, effective results were seen in the sleep quality of otherwise healthy adults. 
2. Increased Daytime Energy – by improving sleep quality, patients experienced less fatigue and more energy.
3. Improved Mood – a 12-week coaching program reduced depressive symptoms, improved mood, and improved other mental health areas. 
4. More Refreshing Sleep – by making behavioral changes, workers had improved sleep quality scores.  

It shows how many different areas of our life sleep can impact and the importance of getting some help when needed. 

Who are the Sleep Coaching Professionals?

Proper has several Sleep Coaches who provide sleep coaching consultations. Here are a few of them:

Lauren H. – Health and Wellness Coach who is Board Certified. Lauren’s opinion is that a good night’s sleep can be the difference between a good day and a bad day.

Rebecca B. – Master in Integrative Health and Wellness Coaching from the Maryland University of Integrative Health. Rebecca’s coaching is slightly different as she prefers to help her clients uncover new ways to reach their goals themselves. This often results in more inventive solutions.  

Danielle C. – Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach. Danielle says she wants to help clients make lasting changes and help people get a good night’s sleep.

Kelly – Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach from Duke Integrative Medicine. Kelly says she supports clients looking to achieve sustainable results in sleep health. She does this by facilitating new positive lifestyle habits with them.

Proper’s professional sleep coaches are all qualified, experienced, and passionate about the benefits of getting a good night’s sleep. 

Is Proper’s Sleep Coaching Plan Worth It?

As Proper are currently offering an initial 30-minute sleep coaching session for free alongside supplement purchases, their sleep coaching is definitely worth trying.

The benefits of taking part in a longer-term, paid sleep coaching program depends on your personal situation.

We would say that most people would probably gain a lot from using tested sleep techniques or from instilling healthier sleep habits.

However, it depends on what you feel you need help with and whether you’re keen on making those changes.

At the time of writing this article, Proper’s paid sleep coaching sessions were still under development but will be coming soon. 

Judging from the results of the clinical trials cited on their website, the program seems to show promise.

In the meantime, you can take advantage of their free sleep coaching session with your chosen sleep supplement.

Sleep Coaching and Sleep Supplements FAQs

What Makes Proper’s Sleep Solutions Unique?

Rather than a quick-fix solution, Proper has a long-term plan in place.

Users can opt to find short-term relief with sleep supplements. These are offered with an initial sleep consultation and sleep action plan.

Afterward, they can decide whether to pursue long-term sleep coaching options if they wish.

Unlike some of their competitors, Proper’s supplements are all-natural, and their ingredients are transparent and understandable. 

Can I subscribe to Sleep Coaching services?

It’s still under development, but a subscription service will be made available soon.

How do you decide which Proper supplement is best for you?

Proper’s supplements are all designed to help with sleep. Some help with specific health concerns too. Sleep + Calm, for example, is best for those who suffer from stress and need to unwind in the evenings. 

If you’re unsure, Proper also offer a Discovery Trial Pack. This contains the five main supplements in small quantities. That way, you can try each one and find the best supplement for you.

How much is the shipping cost on Proper supplements?

Shipping costs vary but start from $5. If you take out a subscription, then shipping is provided free of charge. 

How are Proper’s formulations developed?

The ingredients for the formulations are backed by clinical research and approved by qualified specialists.

Alice Herschel, Proper’s resident Ph.D. in Nutritional Science, is one of the experts who helps develop the formulations. 

Her work is overseen by a panel of scientific and medical experts specializing in integrative, sleep, and neuropathic medicine. 

Do I have to subscribe to purchase Proper supplements?

No, you have the option to make a one-off purchase or to subscribe if you wish to.