This content was created in collaboration with Apollo Neuroscience.
According to some recent Apple Watch data, people aren’t getting enough sleep, with only 31% of study participants getting the recommended at least 7 hours of sleep, which is a shockingly low percentage. So if you’re like us, waking up from unsatisfactory sleep not only puts us in a grumpy mood, it often impacts our work and even how much we enjoy our hobbies. Therefore, it is natural that we try to find a solution that will help us sleep better. From sleep tracking and sleep apps to white noise devices, just about anything is worth trying.
Of course, there are plenty of bogus products out there that claim to get you a better night’s sleep, and a surprising amount comes in the form of bracelets that emit energies or something equally unscientific. That’s why we were a bit skeptical at first when we heard about the Apollo Wearable; “Just another scam bracelet, for sure,” went through our minds. But on closer inspection, the wearable appears to have impressively positive effects on sleep.
An unconventional approach to better sleep
For starters, there are no miraculous claims of instantly better sleep, and what it promises is reasonable. For example, Apollo Neuroscience, the company behind the wearable, says you need to wear the bracelet at least three hours a day, five days a week for optimal benefits. And what are these benefits? According to research, consistent use of the Apollo wearable device has given users 30 minutes of extra sleep at night, a 14 percent increase in REM sleep, and a 19 percent increase in deep sleep, all of which are reasonable and great claims you need this one extra little nudge for better sleep. But how does it work?
Well, first and foremost, the wearable Apollo uses silent touch therapy to combat the stress the body builds up. Think of it as a mini-massage for your nervous system, and you can wear the device anywhere to make it work. Whether it’s on your wrist like a watch or your ankle, you’ll still get the beneficial effects of the vibrations, which is handy for those of us who already wear a watch or bracelets. The wearable pairs with an app that lets you choose intensities from various goal-based modes — like relax, focus, and fall asleep — and integrates with other health trackers like the Oura ring.
Because Apollo fights our natural stress responses, it’s a great product to use beyond just getting better sleep. Imagine what you can do if you feel less stressed in general? The wearable can help you calm down overall, help with things like meditation and mindfulness, and even help you focus on your work instead of the stress you’re experiencing. It may even help us recover from stress faster over the long term by improving our heart rate variability (HRV), a biomarker of how well our bodies recover and respond to daily stress.
What is science and is it valid?
Right off the bat, we let you know that the Apollo wearable has gone through multiple clinical trials and real-world trials and that they take their research seriously. While the sample size of the studies may appear small at first glance, some of the studies are double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover studies, which are the gold standard in scientific methodology. It also increases the legitimacy of the research. Apollo Neuro has completed seven clinical studies, and even better, the parent company is running nine new clinical studies with significantly larger samples, the largest of which includes 6,000 participants, which bodes well as companies, universities and medical organizations will not a lot of money in research and studies when there is no merit.
So what does this mean for you and me? Well, for starters, the Apollo seems to work pretty well for better sleep, and if you’re in a situation where you need that extra boost for better overall sleep, the Apollo will likely help you. As for focus, energy, recovery, and the other benefits mentioned, we encourage you to look at the research for yourself.
Really, the only major downside is that the Apollo wearable is a little pricey at $349, although it’s certainly worth it for extra sleep and stress relief. Luckily, as a Digital Trends reader, you can get a $40 discount with the code DIGITAL TRENDS when you are in the cart and the offer is valid until May 31, 2023.
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