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CBD For Sleep: Does It Help?
Jul
Sleep is vital for our overall health and wellbeing. Yet, many of us struggle to get enough quality shut-eye on a regular basis. Insomnia and other sleep disorders are common problems, with an estimated 30% of adults in the United States alone experiencing occasional sleeplessness and 10% suffering from chronic insomnia.
While various medications and natural sleep aids can help, some people are turning to CBD as a potential sleep aid. But does it really work? Let’s dive deep and find out.
What is CBD?
CBD is a cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. It comes from the same family of compounds as THC, but there are a lot of differences between CBD and TCH. Unlike THC, CBD is not psychoactive and does not produce any mind-altering effects. This means that it will not make you high or change your state of consciousness.
In fact, CBD is shown to produce a variety of positive effects on the body and mind, including reducing anxiety, promoting relaxation, alleviating pain, and even treating certain types of epilepsy.
How does CBD work?
CBD works by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a network of receptors and molecules that helps regulate various essential functions, including sleep, appetite, pain, and immunity.
While more research is needed, some studies suggest that CBD may help improve sleep by reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation. One study of 160 individuals with anxiety and poor sleep found that those who took CBD slept better than those who took a placebo.
Does CBD help with sleep?
To answer this question, let’s first discuss some reasons behind poor sleep. The following are the most common ones:
- Poor mental health (PTSD, depression, and anxiety)
- Disturbed sleep cycle due to work
- Medicines that make you sleep and affect the sleep cycle
- Physical pain or restlessness
- Consuming caffeine at the wrong time of the day
- External factors such as uncomfortable or loud sleep environment
If you are finding it hard to sleep because of one of the above factors, CBD may just be the solution you’re looking for. CBD oil is known to impart numerous health benefits, including relieving anxiety and stress, reducing pain, and improving sleep by fighting insomnia.
While robust and extensive research still needs to be done, some studies have shown CBD to help manage the most common sleeplessness factors.
Anxiety & Poor Sleep
Researchers conducted an experiment in 2019 involving 72 people; 25 had poor sleep quality while 47 experienced anxiety. They were all given a 25mg dosage of CBD capsules on a daily basis.
66.7 percent of the subjects reported improvement in sleep quality, while 79.2 percent reported a significant reduction in anxiety levels.
Pain
Muscle, joint, or any other pain can be a big hurdle in your sleep. But, it’s one of the hurdles CBD can help you overcome. Frontiers in Pharmacology (a leading medical journal) published a review in 2018, reporting sufficient evidence to suggest that CBD reduces pain. Researchers maintained that CBD improves sleep by reducing pain.
Sleep Cycle
Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics published a study in 2014 that supported the claim that CBD affects the sleep cycle. The study involved four patients with Parkinson’s disease and concluded that CBD drastically improved RBD (REM sleep Behavior Disorder) symptoms, which are related to poor sleep.
Another 2017 study revealed that CBD is helpful against excessive daytime drowsiness and RBD symptoms. So, past studies and research suggest that CBD is an excellent sleep promoter. Now, let’s look at some methods you can use CBD to help you sleep better.
How to use CBD for sleep?
There are a few ways you can use CBD for sleep. Here are some of the most popular methods:
CBD Oil: You can take CBD oil directly or take it sublingually by keeping it under your tongue and slowly swallowing it. Or, you may add it to your food or drinks. CBD oil is available in different concentrations, so make sure you start with a low dose and increase it gradually as needed.
CBD Gummies: CBD gummies are an excellent option for those who don’t like the taste of CBD oil. They’re also convenient to carry around and take as needed.
CBD Topicals: You can apply CBD-infused lotions, creams, or balms to the affected area to reduce pain and improve sleep.
CBD Vapes: CBD vapes provide the fastest relief as they’re absorbed directly into your bloodstream. However, make sure you buy high-quality CBD vape oil from a reputable company. Other than these, you can find CBD hard candies, baked goods, chocolates, and some other tasty variations if you don’t like the taste of the original CBD oil.
It all depends on your taste preference and the availability of the product. Go for the one you are most comfortable using and can easily adopt in your daily life.
Frequently Asked Questions
There’s no one answer to this question as the best time to take CBD oil depends on various factors, such as the reason for taking it, your sleep schedule, the time you eat your meals, and how your body reacts to CBD.
Again, there’s no one answer to this question as the effects of CBD can vary from person to person. However, CBD usually takes around 30 minutes to an hour to start working.
The effects of CBD can last for 4-6 hours. However, this can vary depending on the person’s weight, age, metabolism, and the concentration of CBD used.
No, CBD is not addictive. In fact, studies have shown that it has the potential to help people wean off of addiction.
CBD is generally considered safe with few side effects. However, some people may experience drowsiness, dry mouth, reduced appetite, or diarrhea. If you experience any of these side effects, stop using CBD and consult your doctor.
Final Thoughts
CBD is a natural remedy with various potential health benefits, including improved sleep. If you’re having trouble sleeping, give CBD a try. Start with a low concentration and increase as needed. You can also experiment with different methods of taking CBD until you find one that works best.
