Updated: 7/3/24. Have you seen the Relaxium Sleep TV commercials featuring Mike Huckabee, former governor of Arkansas? Other commercials feature Mike with musician Larry Gatlin. Relaxium. Sleep is touted as a natural, drug-free insomnia supplement that can help you fall asleep 140X faster. Impressive claims and there's some research too so in this Relaxium review, let's look at the ingredients and research as well as the company that makes this sleep aid supplement, including what the main ingredient might be and what you need to know about the free sample. If Relaxium didn't work for you, you'll also learn about the money-back guarantee and how to get a refund too. Affiliate Disclosure: This site may earn a small commission on purchases you make. See the affiliate disclosure page for more insights. Also, see the Relief Factor review.
What Is Relaxium?
Relaxium is not a prescription drug but a sleep aid dietary supplement. According to the company that makes this supplement – American Behavioral Research Institute – its Tripple Action Formula is touted to address 3 key areas that keep you from getting a good night's sleep:
- regulating your natural sleep cycle
- relaxing the body
- calming the mind
Is The Free Bottle Of Relaxium Really Free?
If you are curious and want to test drive this slumber supplement, the company offers a free, two-week supply bottle for $7.95. If you decide to take them up on this free offer, understand the company will also add in a two-month supply. If you do not call the company within 17 days of ordering your free bottle, the Relaxium company will charge your credit card $119.90.
This charge will continue automatically every 55 days until you cancel. If you cancel your subscription within 14 days, the company will let you keep one of the bottles they sent you. See below for how to cancel Relaxium auto-shipments.
At one time, customers had to enter their phone number and email address before they could see how much it cost. This is no longer the case, and prices are listed without private information being entered.
Relaxium Ingredients
A bottle has 60 capsules. Taking the recommended two capsules a day of Relaxium Sleep has the following synergistic ingredients:
| Amount | Percent DV | |
| Magnesium (magnesium oxide, citrate and glycinate | 100 mg | 25% DV |
| L-tryptophan | 500 mg | |
| Valerest Proprietary Blend composed of: | 228.9 mg | |
| 1 Valerian root extract | ||
| 2 Hops | ||
| Ashwagandha | 125 mg | |
| GABA | 100 mg | |
| Chamomile | 75 mg | |
| Passionflower | 75 mg | |
| Melatonin | 5 mg |
The other ingredients are rice flowers and vegetable cellulose. Melatonin is the final ingredient listed. Melatonin has a long history of use in sleep aid supplements, which may make some wonder if it is the main ingredient in Relaxium.
Relaxium Sleep is vegan and non-GMO and contains no gluten, nuts, yeast, dairy, sugar, fish, tree nuts, shellfish, soy, corn, barley, or artificial ingredients.
Where Can You Buy Relaxium?
The cost is about $35 online. You can purchase this sleep-improving supplement directly from the official company (Relaxium.com) as well as on Amazon, and it may also be available in local stores such as Walmart, Bed Bath, and Beyond, Target, Rite Aid, CVS, and Walgreens. The cost of Relaxium may vary, so shop around for the best price. The company may offer discounts and coupons too.
Video Review
If you prefer, watch it on my Youtube channel
What Is Valerest?
Valerest is the name of the proprietary blend in this sleep aid supplement and is a registered trademark owned by the Relaxium company – also called the American Behavioral Research Institute.
Valerest is said to induce sleep safely and naturally and is composed of two ingredients: valerian root extract (Valerina Officinalis) and hops (Humulus lupulus). Valerian extract is listed first, making up most of the 228.9 mg of the Valerest propriety blend.
Valerest Clinical Study
The company states Valerest's effectiveness is backed by a university clinical study where it was compared to melatonin, a popular pharmaceutical drug. The company's results showed Valerest “significantly improved the quality of life through better sleep.” While this is encouraging, there are several problems, such as:
- Where has the full Valerest University study been published? It can't be located.
- Was the study peer-reviewed? They don't tell us.
- What university conducted the study? It's not listed.
- How long did the study last? They don't say.
- How many people were in the study? They don't tell us.
- Did the study contain both men and women? Unknown.
- What was the dosage of Valerest used? The amount is not listed.
- How much melatonin was used? They don't tell us.
- Did Valerest induce sleep better than melatonin? They don't say.
- What was the pharmaceutical drug? It's not mentioned.
- Did Valerest perform better than the prescription drug? They don't mention that either.
Without seeing the actual university study, we cannot know how well Valerest performed. Another question is if Valerest performed so well, why does Relaxium Sleep also contain melatonin and other ingredients?
Relaxium Sleep Research
To prove the supplement really works, the company supported a clinical study. At one time, bottles of Relaxium Sleep indicated these results:
- Fell asleep 140% faster
- Slept longer by 266%
- Woke up alert and refreshed 69% better
- Showed 80% better concentration
However, bottles no longer show the percentages next to the benefits. Oddly, improvements in concentration are no longer displayed on bottles.
The Relaxium clinical trial's title is A Study to Evaluate the Effects of Relaxium in Subjects with Sleep Disorders. It involved 35 men and women with insomnia. The study lasted two weeks and was published in the Journal of Insomnia and Sleep Disorders (vol 1 issue 1), published by Annex Publishers (annexpublishers.com).
During the first week, people took 2 placebo capsules before bed, and in the second week they took 2 Relaxium capsules each night at bedtime. The people kept sleep diaries and underwent before and after sleep tests. Sleep quality and duration were measured using a Fit Bit Inspire fitness tracker.
Relaxium Clinical Study Results
Compared to the placebo, people rated on diaries Relaxium Sleep better at:
- improving the quality of their sleep
- making it easier to fall asleep
- having improved daytime concentration
The results sound impressive. However, problems include:
- It was a small investigation containing only 35 people.
- Difficulties were reported using the Fit Bit tracker, which may have impacted sleep quality results.
Also, for the people who they had complete data sets for, Relaxium was only shown to be significantly better than placebo for improving daytime concentration. In other words, in that group, Relaxium did not improve sleep. Is it possible this due to difficulties with using the FitBit?
Bottom line: this study needs to be duplicated.
Does Ashwagandha Help Sleep?
Ashwagandha (Indian ginseng), one of the ingredients in Relaxium Sleep is an adaptogenic herb touted to do many things including helping improve the quality of your sleep. Does it work? Here's a quick video on the ashwagandha-sleep research.
Watch on my Youtube channel if you prefer
Who Makes Relaxium?
If you are wondering where Relaxium Sleep is made, the American Behavioral Research Institute LLC is the company that makes the supplement and owns the trademark. The company address listed with the Better Business Bureau is 2255 Glades Rd STE 324 A, Boca Raton, FL 33431.
Timea Cilberti is the CEO of the American Behavioral Research Institute. Dr. Eric Ciliberti, MD, is a Boca Ratan, Florida-based Neuro-ophthalmologist who is credited with creating Relaxium. Dr. Cileberti is also the company's medical director.
Better Business Bureau Review
The Better Business Bureau gives the American Behavioral Research Institute a rating of C with 1.9 out of 5 stars. The company is not BBB-accredited but has been in business since 2009. The BBB reports over 400 complaints about the company, some of which mention the Mike Huckabee TV commercial. Many Relaxium complaints revolve around problems with selling and advertising the supplement and credit card.
Unexpected charges after ordering a free trial offer of Relaxim are also listed.
The company responds to customer complaints made on the BBB website and works with unsatisfied customers. The company has also stated that it has implemented a streamlined ordering process to add more straight talk and reduce confusion when people make a purchase. See the BBB file for more information.
Is It Made in America?
The TV commercial featuring Mike Huckabee claims Relaxium is made in the USA. When contacted, the company stated all of the ingredients
were sourced from within the United States.
Celebrity Endorsements
At one time, the Relaxium website featured an assortment of actors and celebrities in addition to Mike Huckabee. They include:
- Dan Marino
- Dee Wallace
- Celeste Thorsen
- Sofia Milos
- Patrikia Darbo
- Moronai Kanekoa
- Kikki Soohoo
- Traci Lynn Cowan
It is unknown if these were paid endorsements or legitimate, non-remunerated happy customers.
See the Relief Factor review for a list of celebrities who endorse that supplement.
Negative Customer Complaints
The supplement had over 20,000 ratings on Amazon, giving it a 3.5 out of 5-star ranking. While a good number of people reported Relaxium Sleep was not a hoax and did indeed improve their ability to fall asleep, some said otherwise. Complaints and side effects from unsatisfied customers included:
- expensive
- doesn't work
- not better than melatonin
- worked sometimes. On other nights, it did not work.
- drowsy the next day
- caused nightmares
- caused hives
Like any popular supplement, results will vary from person to person. See the Amazon listing for more customer reviews.
Relaxium Contact Phone Number
To contact the customer service department, call the phone number 888-353-1205.
- M-F 8 AM to 9 PM EST
- Sat 10 AM to 7 PM EST
- Sun 1 PM to 4 PM EST
You can also email customer support at: Support@Relaxium.com
Relaxium Free Trial: Be Careful
If you order a free trial of this supplement, you will pay $7.95 to cover the cost of sending it to you. When you do this, the company will send you two bottles of Relaxium. This also enters you into an autoshipment subscription program. If you do not cancel within 14 days AND send an unopened bottle back to the company, you will be charged $59.95.
Failure to cancel auto-shipments also means the company will continue to send you two bottles of Relaxium every two months and charge you $59.95 per bottle (total cost $119.90). You can cancel by calling Relaxium Customer Support at 888-353-1205 or emailing them at Help@Relaxium.com.
Money-Back Guarantee, Refunds & How To Return
Relaxium comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee to request a refund. The 30 days begin when the supplements are delivered to your home. That's very good because the company gives you a full month to test drive the supplement.
To get a refund, call Relaxium customer service at 888-353-1205 and give the rep:
- your name
- the email you used to order the supplement
- your order number
Request a return authorization number (RMA number). This is very important. Returned packages that do not include an RMA number will not be accepted.
Return the sleep supplements you purchased to this address:
Relaxium-RETURNS
10701 Abercorn St.
Unit 61553 Savannah, GA 31419
If you ordered multiple bottles, the company only issues full refunds on 1 opened bottle so do not open all bottles you purchased. The company requests that you insure your return in the remote chance it becomes lost in the mail or damaged. Your money will be returned to you within 5 business days of the company receiving your returned items.
If you purchased this insomnia supplement at local stores such as Target, Walgreens, CVS, Rite-Aid, or Walmart, return it to the store you purchased it from with your receipt. If you purchased your supplements from the company's official website and want a refund, here are the instructions on how to get your money back:
Relaxium Side Effects & Contraindications
No side effects were reported in the Relaxium Sleep clinical study. If you are going to try this insomnia supplement and want to ensure you have the best results with the most safety and have minimized side effects and possible drug interactions, here are some points to consider.
- Start by taking less than recommended for the first week. This might reduce GI upset and diarrhea if they occur.
- Speak to your doctor and pharmacist if you take any prescription medications such as blood thinners like warfarin (coumadin), blood sugar medications like metformin, and high blood pressure medicines like beta-blockers.
- There's no proof Relaxium Sleep helps sleep apnea.
- In theory, the ingredients may be inappropriate for those with dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
- Animal research suggests ashwagandha may not be safe during pregnancy. Avoid if you are breastfeeding.
- Passion flower may not be safe during pregnancy.
- Stop taking Relaxium at least 2 weeks before surgery unless your doctor says otherwise.
- Avoid combing with alcohol-containing beverages.
- Don't drive or operate motorized equipment while taking.
- Don't combine with prescription sleeping pills like Ambien or over-the-counter sleeping pills or dietary supplements.
- Ashwagandha may lower blood sugar levels and/or interact with diabetes medications.
- Ashwagandha may raise thyroid hormones and reduce TSH levels.
- While rare, melatonin might be associated with heart palpitations in those with heart problems such as irregular heart rhythms.
Relaxium Lawsuit
A class action lawsuit (Aimee Lomedico vs. American Behavioral Research Institute LLC d/b/a, Relaxium) was filed in July of 2022 over false and misleading claims made about the supplement being “clinically proven” to help sleep. The company reached a settlement in December 2022 year, although the terms of the settlement are not known.
Relaxium and The FDA
No FDA warning letters to the company were discovered. Likewise, no warning letters from the Federal Trade Commission (FCC) were found either. This is good as it implies that the company is complying with federal dietary supplement guidelines.
Relaxium Sleep vs. Relaxium Calm
Here are the ingredients in the sleep and calm supplements side-by-side:
| Relaxium Sleep 2 capsules | Relaxium Calm 2 capsules |
| Magnesium 100 mg | Vitamin C 60 mg |
| L-tryptophan 500 mg | Vitamin D3 600 IU |
| Valerest Proprietary 228.9 mg Blend composed of: | Thiamine 1.5 mg |
| 1 Valerian root extract | Vitamin B6 2 mg |
| 2 Hops | Folic acid 400 mcg |
| Ashwagandha | Vitamin B5 10 mg |
| GABA | Magnesium 75 mg |
| Chamomile | Zinc 10 mg |
| Passionflower | Selenium 35 mcg |
| Melatonin | Chromium 60 mcg |
| GABA 300 mg | |
| Passion Flower 180 mg | |
| Sensoril ashwagandha 125 mg | |
| 5-HTP 550 mg |
It is not known if Relaxium Calm works better or if the Sleep and Calm supplements work better together.
Relaxium Max Focus Ingredients
The Max Focus supplement contains several different ingredients than the Relaxium Sleep. Most notable is caffeine, which is the first ingredient listed for the proprietary blend. Caffeine makes up most of the 550 mg blend of ingredients. Do not take Max Focus close to bedtime or it may keep you awake. Caffeine as well as both bacopa monnieri and huperzine A have some memory and focus research. Speak to your doctor and pharmacist if you take any medications.
| Amount | Percent Daily Value | |
| Niacin (vitamin B3) | 30 mg | 150% |
| Vitamin B6 | 5 mg | 250% |
| Proprietary Blend Composed of | 550 mg | |
| 1 Caffeine | ||
| 2 GABA | ||
| 4 Bacopa monnieri | ||
| 4 Alpha GPC | ||
| 5 L-Theanine | ||
| 6 Phosphatidylserine | ||
| 7 L-Tyrosine | ||
| 8 Huperzine-A |
Can Vitamin B6 Reduce Anxiety?
Watch on my Youtube channel if you prefer
Relaxium Sleep Pros & Cons
These are my opinions. Yours may be different.
| Pros | Cons |
| Ingredients make sense | Expensive |
| At least one study exists | Poor BBB rating |
| Company responds to BBB complaints | Proprietary blend |
| Auto shipments | |
| Only 30-day money-back guarantee and 17 days to cancel auto-shipments if ordering the free sample |
What Do I Suggest?
Of all the ingredients in Relaxium the two that caught my attention the most are melatonin and ashwagandha. If you're looking to save money, consider one of these by itself to see how it works for you. Here are two brands I like:
Does Relaxium Sleep Really Work?
The ingredients make sense for asleep supplement, with ingredients having various degrees of support. It is good that the company has sponsored a clinical trial, although it needs to be replicated. While I'm sure it will work for many people, with respect to Mike Huckabee's TV commercial claims, I wonder if Relaxium Sleep may be an expensive melatonin supplement.
Check out what customers are saying.