As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This is at no extra cost to you.
The first time I heard about the Dodow sleep device, I was so excited. For so long I had been searching for a solution regarding my insomnia that did not involve taking medication. Could it be true? Could this little device that has now helped over half a million people, actually help me fall asleep faster too? And will it improve the overall quality of my sleep, naturally? I must admit, it sounded a little too good to be true, but I was desperate. I had tried so many things to beat insomnia in the past and I was willing to give in a go. Here’s my Dodow sleep device review.
What is Dodow?
The name Dodow is derived from the French for sleep. The Dodow is a small white circular metronome device with a built-in light system. It has a touch sensitive surface, so there are no buttons to try to find in the dark, this feature makes it very user-friendly. It is also small and lightweight, so it’s easy to take with you when you travel. I also liked the convenience of having the batteries included with the product.
One of the things that interested me from the start was the fact that this device was invented by three insomniacs, Pierre, Alex and Guy. That’s right! People just like me, and perhaps you too, who were basically tired of being tired all the time, first came up with this brilliant idea.
How it works
You will want to set the Dodow down on a hard surface close by your bed, such as a nightstand. I found this worked best for me. There are two different modes, one for 8 minutes and one for 20. If you just started using the Dodow or it usually takes you quite a while to fall asleep, I would suggest starting with the 20-minute mode. Simply tap its surface once for the 8-minute mode and twice for the 20-minute mode. Touch the surface and hold for a couple of seconds and it will turn off.
Once you select the appropriate mode, you will notice a blue circular light reflecting on the ceiling above you. You must inhale and take a breath as the circle expands and exhale when the circle retracts. Just synchronize your breath with the blue light, it is really that simple.
Dodow is designed to help you fall asleep 2.5 x faster by slowing down your breathing rate from 11 to 6 breaths per minute. When a person falls asleep, everything slows down significantly, their metabolism, heart rate and breathing rate, this is normal. Unfortunately, many of us have a hard time slowing our breathing rate down, thus not allowing our bodies to enter rest mode.
According to Dodow’s website, focusing on the blue hallow also takes your attention away from thoughts that stimulate your waking state, thus reducing brain activity and helping you fall asleep smoother and faster. Once the 8- or 20-minute cycle is complete, Dodow will automatically shut itself off.
The cost
The cost of the new Dodow is only $59, which is a relatively small investment for your health. Things such as therapy, yoga, meditation may also work to reduce stress and help induce sleep. Many of these methods, however, take time and cost much more. Sleeping pills are another option, but often come with bad side effects and the possibility of dependency.
Melatonin
How about a natural melatonin supplement to help you fall asleep? While it’s true that Melatonin is a natural hormone found in our body , there is not much evidence that it will help you fall asleep much faster or improve your quality of sleep. Some find it works for them but I would never want to mess with hormone therapy and my body’s natural production of melatonin. Furthermore, most doctors will suggest this as a short term solution only.
Melatonin is available in many different forms including pills and gummies and advertised as a sleep aid. Melatonin is also available in natural or synthetic form from many different brands. Be aware however, that this hormone supplement, natural or not, may come with side affects as well. According to WebMD, these side effects can include:
- Daytime sleepiness
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Stomach discomfort
- Anxiety
- Crankiness
- A “heavy head” feeling
- Short-lived depression
My Dodow experience
When I first received this device in the mail, I was so exited to use it! I have the older version and I’ve been using it for over a year now. At first, I found it a little awkward and difficult to breath in sync with the blue hallow projected onto my ceiling. The machine forces you to concentrate on your breathing and not much else. In the beginning, I sometimes felt like the blue light was increasing my breathing instead of slowing it down.
I suppose when you are not used to being so aware of your breathing, it can be a bit challenging at first. Still, the first time around, I managed to fall asleep a little faster than I normally would have without the device by a few minutes. Not the great results I was hoping for though. However, I was intrigued enough to give it another try, and the following night, I fell asleep about 15 minutes earlier than normal! For me this is huge.
After the second week I adjusted the mode from 20-minutes to 8-minutes, I felt I was ready. After the first 6 weeks, I began to fall asleep before the 8-minutes were up. Some nights it still takes me longer to fall asleep than other nights, but never as long as it used to. I also began to wake up less during the night. I never achieved these types of results before without medication.
Now, I only use Dodow when I feel I really need it, usually about once or twice per week. Although the results were not immediate for me, and I’m not sure if I’m falling asleep 2.5x faster than before, as claimed by the marketers, it does work! Everyone is different however, but I believe that anyone who can stick with the Dodow for at least 7-14 days will benefit from improved sleep. Overall, I am more than happy with it, especially at this price, and I am currently in the process of ordering myself the newer version.
Dodow Cons:
- May not work as fast as a sleeping pill
- May not help with pain (including fibromyalgia pain) related insomnia.
- May take a few days to adapt to the device
- carrying case is sold separately
- I had trouble opening the battery door and ended up breaking it early on (I think others had this same issue as well), but the device was still usable.
Dodow Pros:
- Natural, no need to take pills
- One time, low cost
- Portable
- Easy to use with easy to understand instructions
- Will help most individuals fall asleep faster
- May improve overall sleep quality
- Machine will not disturb your partner because it is silent
- Can be used for children as young as 6
- Can ease troubled thoughts, stress, restlessness, and even chronic insomnia
- batteries included
- Refundable if not satisfied
- Makes a great gift
I will never be without my Dodow
Overall, I recommend this device hands down as a safe and effective alternative to medication for anyone who has trouble sleeping, as well as stress or chronic insomnia. Click here If you are interested in picking up a Dodow for yourself or a loved one for under $60! Amazon offers a great price and fast reliable shipping. Click here for more information on improving your sleep, including information about the effect that lack of sleep has on fibromyalgia and other natural ways to fall asleep faster.
Thank you for taking the time to read my honest review on the Dodow sleep system. Do you suffer from insomnia? What have you tried? Leave us some comments below. Talk to you soon!