Disclaimer: None of the information in this article constitutes medical advice. All statements are merely the opinion of the writer(s). We recommend that patients follow their doctor’s guidance in regard to anti-anxiety measures.
The Chill Pill is a physical, handheld device used for stress relief. Its manufacturer claims that by using it, you can “say goodbye to tension and discover a natural solution for managing stress.”
But is the Chill Pill proven to reduce stress levels? How does the device actually work? Which retailer sells it for the best price? And how do real users rate and describe the effects of the Chill Pill?
In this article we’ll answer all of these questions and more, as we analyze the tech backing the Chill Pill to give our take on whether or not it’s likely to be effective for stress relief.
We’ll also provide a cost comparison documenting which retailer sells Chill Pill for the best price, and feature real Chill Pill customer reviews.
Is Chill Pill Proven to Work?
Chill Pill doesn’t appear to have been studied in any clinical trials, so we’ll have to evaluate its potential efficacy based on how the manufacturer describes the device.
Unfortunately, the manufacturer of this device provides very little information in regard to the mechanism of action.
On the “How it Works” section of the Chill Pill website, the brand describes its technology as a "breakthrough signal pattern":
When we initially published this article, the brand described the mechanism of action as "pressure point stimulation."
Pressure point stimulation has been studied in some clinical trials.
A meta-study published in the Acupuncture in Medicine journal analyzed the effectiveness of acupressure for anxiety and found that the treatment provided “immediate relief.”
As we documented in our review of BeActive Plus, acupressure is also clinically shown to reduce pain scores.
The issue is that Chill Pill fails to explain the type and location of pressure points that are stimulated, and at what force.
Just because some acupressure methods can relieve anxiety, does not mean that all pressure point stimulation methods will. We're also concerned about the company changing its explanation of how the device works.
Essentially, we consider Chill Pill to be potentially effective, but because the brand fails to clearly explain how their device works, it seems illogical to purchase.
We Tried Chill Pill Ourselves
As the author of this article, I wanted to try Chill Pill myself to share whether or not it worked for me.
I don't have daily anxiety, but I do have a (mild) fear of heights, so I hiked up a local mountain and its viewing tower to test whether or not Chill Pill reduced my anxiety:
I don't experience a full panic when I'm confronted with a steep drop; typically just some "butterflies" and adrenaline. I still experienced mild anxiety while using the device, so I'd say it didn't work for me.
Chill Pill is ergonomic and fits perfectly in my hand (even during a hike), so no complaints there.
The electrical pulses are highly irritating and uncomfortable to me, even at the lowest setting. I was also surprised by how frequent they were (around 3-4x per second at my count). The level of discomfort caused by the device may be worth it to people with severe anxiety (if the device works for them), but it would not be worth it for my mild situational anxiety, even if it was effective.
The manual states that Chill Pill takes many uses to be optimally effective, but I don't plan to use it more than once due to the discomfort.
Overall, I would rate Chill Pill 3/10.
Where to Get the Best Price
Chill Pill is currently sold at the brand's website and at Amazon.
Here’s a price breakdown for a one-time purchase at the time of updating this article:
Brand website: $65 (free shipping, link)
Amazon: $64.97 (free shipping, link to official Amazon listing)
Chill Pill is currently slightly cheaper at Amazon.
Influencers Try Chill Pill
A YouTube creator named “Sew Geek Mama” has a review of the Chill Pill that includes a demonstration on how to use the device, as well as her thoughts on the pros and cons (including negative impact on sleep):
A TikTok user named Jenny Haley who claims to suffer from anxiety and panic disorder shared her experience using the device:
@askjeevees Sorry it took a while- I wanted to give it a few days! @mendyourmental #chillpill #anxiety #mentalhealthmatters #fyp #foryoupage #mendyourmental ♬ Sunset Lover Night Trouble - SelteMemset
Customers Rate Chill Pill
Amazon is a better resource for honest customer reviews than a brand’s website in our opinion.
At the time of updating this article, Chill Pill has been reviewed over 800 times on Amazon, and has an average rating of 2.4 out of 5 stars.
A top positive review from a verified purchaser comes from a user named “Keo Hilihili” who gave the product a 5/5 rating:
“I have an adult child who is mentally ill…This gadget is the best thing we have ever had her use. It has kept us away from the ER. It has allowed us to finish a restaurant meal or run a complete list of errands. My voice has been saved. Her therapist is thrilled she has it. Her psychiatrist is happy he hasn't had to figure out a medication to add to her regimen or to completely have to reorganize all her meds.”
A top negative review from a verified purchaser is written by a user named “Marilyn Phinazee” who gave the product a 1/5 rating:
“I got the chill pill and read the instructions and tried it the same night and I felt NOTHING so I tried putting on a different hand and again nothing so I tried to return it and was told that it couldn't be returned because of the oils in the machine…I give this item a -0 because it doesn't work.”
Mind Your Mental, the manufacturer of Chill Pill, has an average review rating of 1 out of 5 stars on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website, which is the worst possible rating.
It’s a small sample size so this isn’t particularly concerning, but at the time of updating this article, the brand has failed to respond to any negative reviews or customer complaints.
This is a red flag of a low-quality brand in our opinion.
Does Chill Pill Cause Side Effects?
Since the Chill Pill doesn’t appear to have been studied in any clinical trials, we can’t say for certain whether or not it will cause side effects.
However, given that it’s a hardware device and is not ingested, we consider the risk of side effects to be very low.
It’s hard to imagine how using this device could cause side effects, although perhaps if it’s manufactured incorrectly it could apply too much pressure and cause pain.
We haven’t seen any customer reports of side effects online, and there is currently no mention of side effects on the brand’s website.
Our Clean Mood Support Picks
Cornbread CBD Lotion is our topical stress reliever pick.
CBD is clinically shown to be absorbed through the skin, and was shown in a 2020 medical review to be a "promising" natural treatment for anxiety disorders.
Pique Japanese Sencha Green Tea is our ingestible stress reliever pick.
Green tea was shown in a 2017 clinical trial to significantly reduce stress levels, and has been used to promote mental and physical wellness for centuries.
Both of the products recommended in this section are entirely free of additive ingredients that we consider to be unhealthy.
Chill Pill Pros and Cons
Here are the pros and cons of Chill Pill in our opinion:
Pros:
- Drug-free
- May relieve stress
- Unlikely to cause side effects
- Affordable
Cons:
- Doesn't appear to be clinically tested
- Unclear mechanism of action
- Unimpressive Amazon reviews
- Negative BBB review rating
- Brand fails to respond to BBB customer complaints
