Cannabidiol (CBD) is among the most significant cannabinoids found in the hemp plant which can help improve sleep.
Cannabinoids work with the endocannabinoid system to keep the body in a state of stability and equilibrium. CBD, unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), will not make you “high.”
Instead, it has many health applications, including reducing seizures in patients with epilepsy and alleviating pain. CBD may also make you feel relaxed so that you can sleep well. Here are some CBD oils for sleep.
Research Perspectives on CBD and Sleep
To determine if CBD can help with sleep, we should first consider what induces sleep deprivation, insomnia, and other sleep-related issues.
Several factors can make you feel sleepy. According to experts, sleep disorders like insomnia can be caused by a variety of factors:
- Depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety.
- Certain medications
- Restless legs syndrome (RLS) and chronic pain.
- Late-night caffeine consumption.
- Loud sounds or uncomfortable sleeping positions/beds.
CBD can aid in the treatment of insomnia. While CBD research is still very much in the initial stages, research has already shown that it can assist with depression, anxiety, insomnia, and other issues.
CBD was researched in 2019 to see how it could help people sleep well or feel less anxious. The study covered 72 people, 47 of whom were stressed and 25 of whom were sleep-deprived. Every day, the study participants were provided a capsule containing 25 milligrams (mg) of CBD. In the first month, 79.2% of patients reported lower levels of anxiety, and 66.7% of patients reported a night of better sleep.
CBD can also help relieve pain, which can cause sleep problems. According to a 2018 “Frontiers of Pharmacology” review, there is much data to confirm that CBD helps relieve stress. According to the researchers, CBD can enhance relaxation and improve sleep by reducing anxiety, depression, and chronic pain.
Other research indicates that CBD affects sleep patterns. The 2014 study examined 4 patients who have Parkinson’s disease. CBD has been shown in experiments to relieve the effects of REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), which is a barrier to a person’s dreaming. RBD is related to lack of sleep and nightmares.
According to research, CBD can help treat RBD (REM behavior disorder) and has the capability to reduce chronic depressive symptoms.
How CBD Improves Sleep
Even research that concludes that CBD can improve sleep cannot always tell why this is the case. Most of the above studies emphasize that they need to conduct more research on CBD to further understand how CBD affects our sleep.
As previously mentioned, several researchers believe that CBD can enhance sleep by addressing the root source of insomnia.
We can understand more about how and why CBD might help us sleep better as more analysis is undertaken.
How to use CBD to Sleep?
There are many ways to consume CBD. It has several different forms, including:
- Vape concentrate.
- Oil and tincture.
- Pills and capsules.
- Edibles, such as gummies.
Generally, vaping CBD introduces it into the system faster than other methods. However, there are a few studies on the aerosolization of CBD that suggest it may cause respiratory diseases.
Various aspects can determine the quantity of CBD you need and the time it might take to improve your health. Your weight, body chemistry, and the nature of sleep disorders all affect the way CBD works. What tends to work with one person might not apply to another.
The majority of CBD and sleeping-related clinical trials include giving participants 25 mg to 1,500 mg of CBD per day. Start with the lowest dosage and steadily raise it until you find the correct amount for you.
Many studies on CBD, anxiety, and sleep indicate that many patients do not immediately notice the difference. According to the 2019 report mentioned above, the participants took around a month to point out the differences. So be careful and keep in mind that you will not get results right away.
Side Effects and Safety Issues of CBD.
Many experiments on the effectiveness of CBD were performed and found that it is a reasonably effective treatment.
There are very few adverse effects. You can, however, suffer a few mild symptoms.
Possible side effects:
- Gastroenteritis
- Exhaustion
- Change of appetites
- Weight change
Although it is generally believed that CBD is safe, a study conducted with mice did raise concerns about CBD’s potential liver damage. Always consult a physician when using CBD since it may interfere with any medicines you are currently taking.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially does not really ensure the accuracy, efficacy, or performance of over-the-counter (OTC) CBD items. They will take action against CBD companies who make unsubstantiated health statements to safeguard citizens’ health.
Because the FDA’s supervision of CBD products is different from that of drugs or dietary supplements, companies sometimes misapply or distort their product labels.
Conclusion
Before taking any supplements or medications (including CBD), be sure to consult your doctor first. Depending on your specific situation, your doctor will tell you how to use CBD to improve sleep.
Sleeping pills are generally used for a period of more than a few weeks by physicians. While CBD and other medications can be beneficial, it is critical to identify the source of sleep issues.
If you want to alter your sleep patterns or medicines, you may have to get a medical examination. If you cannot sleep properly, consult your doctor.
