Home > Stress > Pulsetto — The Sleep Hack I Didn’t Expect to Work
Pulsetto — The Sleep Hack I Didn’t Expect to Work
Review by Ryan Mercer
Last Update: September 16, 2025
I bought Pulsetto to see if a neck‑worn, noninvasive vagus nerve stimulator could help me sleep.
I went in skeptical and tested it for 10 nights.
Quic disclaimer: this review is based on my own experience, not medical advice.
Table of contents
1.
Why I Tried It
1. Why you're stressed?
2.
Unboxing and Setup
2. The ‘Rest and Digest’ Response
3.
The Modes I Actually Used
3. Pulsetto: non-invasive vagus nerve stimulator
4.
Night 1 to Night 10: What Happened
4. Unboxing and Setup
5.
Daytime Use (Burnout/Stress)
5. 4-Minute Stress Reset Routine By Janine
Why I Tried It
I don’t sleep well. I wake up 10–15 times a night, think it’s morning, check the time, and it’s been 55 minutes.
I’m juggling work, content projects, and finishing my degree—stress is high.
I’ve already spent on sleep gear, so when I saw Pulsetto (noninvasive, around the neck, app‑controlled) I figured: worst case, I’m out a couple hundred bucks.
I was skeptical about big claims (rapid stress relief, better HRV, digestion help, chronic‑issue support), but the tech is based on researched principles.
I decided to test it for sleep and stress—things I can actually feel and track.
Unboxing & Setup
In the box: the device, electrode gel, a USB‑C cable (no brick), and a quick manual.
The build feels like comfy over‑the‑head headphones—but for your neck.
I’ve got a big neck and have taken it on/off a lot; it feels sturdy.
Pro tip: Gel is slippery. Use a pea‑sized dab on each pad and a thin layer on your neck. Wipe pads and neck after, or you’ll get a chalky residue.
Keep gel off the fabric band—it doesn’t detach for washing. I wish this part were removable.
Pairing was quick: power on (the light turns blue), open the app, pick a mode, and go.
Intensity defaults to 5; if it feels “spiky,” add a touch more gel or nudge the placement.
The Modes I Actually Used
1
Sleep (my main use)
2
Burnout (post‑work decompression)
3
Stress (similar wind‑down feel)
There’s a free app with several programs and guided breathing/meditations, and a premium tier with extra modes (e.g., Inflammation) and more content. I don’t use the guided stuff much; the core modes are enough.
Night 1 to Night 10: What Happened
Night one, I ran Burnout on the couch right after work—within two minutes I felt unusually calm, the kind of heavy‑eyelid relaxation you get after a long swim.
Before bed I switched to Sleep (about 10 minutes).
A minute in, my eyes were drooping; I could’ve fallen asleep in my chair. That night I didn’t wake until ~3:45 a.m., checked the time, and went straight back to sleep.
The next night: same.
Then again.
After about 10 nights, I hadn’t had a bad night since starting this pre‑bed routine around 9:30 p.m., in bed by 10:00.
My devices backed it up: I moved from 1–2 full sleep cycles to 3–4. HRV ticked up a couple points (too early to declare a trend, but promising).
I’ll recheck after a month or two.
Daytime Use (Burnout/Stress)
On heavy days, I’ll run Burnout after work.
It consistently takes the edge off—tension melts, focus returns.
I didn’t expect to feel that shift so quickly.
I sometimes tested 3–4 sessions in a day out of curiosity; Pulsetto suggests up to two.
No issues on my end, but your mileage may vary.
Downsides & Tips
1
Gel mess: Keep a washcloth handy; wipe neck and pads after.
2
Fabric pad: Not removable; avoid smearing gel on it. Velcro would be nice in a future version.
3
Placement: If it tingles sharply, nudge the device or add a tiny bit more gel.
4
Manual: Barely needed—setup is simple.
Pulsetto Customer reviews
Colleen Dunahee
- Verified Buyer
"My Pulsetto arrived at one of the most emotionally stressful periods of my life. I was using it 3x a day initially to manage my stress and anxiety and it helped me to stay self regulated and meet the demands of the situation. I am through that period and using it 2x a day. I have tried almost all of the settings in the app with good results. I appreciate this addition to my self care routine for anxiety, burnout, and sleep."
Carrie Hofman
- Verified Buyer
“ I absolutely love my Pulsetto—day and night! 💙 Launching a new clinic has me hustling 24/7 with barely any “me” time, but this little device has been a total game-changer.☀️In the mornings, it helps me manage stress and keep burnout at bay.🌙At night, it’s a core part of my sleep routine—and for the first time in a long time, I wake up feeling refreshed, not just counting down the hours until bedtime again.Thank you, Pulsetto, for helping me show up for my business and myself. 🙌
Lisa Heaton
- Verified Buyer
"I've been using my Pulsetto device for a few weeks now. I've made it a habit to use it every morning and every night, along with a few moments throughout the day when I need a system reset! Whenever I'm feeling overwhelmed or stressed out, I simply grab my device, black out my vision and let Pulsetto work its magic to bring me back down to earth! The App provides me with helpful guided meditations and breathing techniques where I can focus on my calmness. I can't wait to continue unlocking new healthy habits for myself as I continue my journey with Pulsetto. Thank you!"
Joe Simon
- Verified Buyer
The body keeps the score by Util this device. I’m trying to distress a great deal of trauma by meditating with it, hoping that it will help unravel all the stress that is built up over the years and try and get into a rhythm of meditation with it it’s a good Practice that I am employing currently it’s a wonderful app and options for meditation breath, work and self-awareness.
Luke Alltizer
- Verified Buyer
"Pulsetto has been very effective in helping me manage stress and pain in the month I have been using it. The premium stimulations seem to have a positive effect on managing my gut health as well."
Justin Hulbert
- Verified Buyer
"I've been using the Pulsetto now for a couple of weeks, and I have to say, I am rather impressed with the results. I am already noticing an improvement in sleep - I sleep through the night, which has always been a challenge for me. I am also managing my stress and anxiety levels a lot better than I had been able to before."
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