People have been turning to CBD for its possible health benefits for years. Its ability to help you relax and alleviate pain has been one of the reasons why this cannabidiol is a go-to remedy on a daily basis for many individuals.
Of all its alleged uses and benefits, CBD is also popular among people who have insomnia. Whether for falling asleep or staying asleep, they see CBD as a quick fix to help them get a good night’s rest.
Keep reading to discover more on the subject “CBD for sleep” and whether this popular cannabidiol can help you balance your sleeping routine.
What Is CBD?
CBD or cannabidiol is a chemical compound extracted from the cannabis plant. The cannabis plant has been used in medicine for decades as a pain and nausea reducer, sleep aid, and mood booster. In 1960, researchers identified the first cannabinoid, and since then, they have identified more than 80 species and continued to examine them for their potential disease-fighting and symptom-relieving features.
Two of the most popular cannabinoids are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD. THC delivers a “high feeling” and a sense of euphoria, while CBD, on the other hand, has no “high effects.” Instead, it provides anti-anxiety, calming, and anti-psychotic reactions.
Some people use CBD in combination with THC to ease the mind-altering response of THC and enjoy the health benefits that these two cannabinoids provide.
How Does CBD Affect the Sleep Cycle?
CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system and multiple receptors in the brain. As a healing compound, it has a very high potential to act as a sleep aid. According to the latest research, it increases wakefulness throughout the day while having a calming effect throughout the night. The study shows that CBD can impact the body’s natural sleep cycle, leading to a more restful sleep.
Eases Pain and Alleviates Muscle Aches
Today, many people have a busy lifestyle. After a hard workday, those who aren’t so young anymore have difficulties falling asleep at night due to pain or muscle aches. CBD for sleep works by providing relief to sore muscles and helping your body relax more easily.
Tackles the Underlying Issues of Insomnia and Sleep Deprivation
Although insomnia is a widespread disorder that affects more than 10% of people in the US, its causes and symptoms vary between individuals. For some, the inability to fall asleep is due to psychological issues, including PTSD and depression. For others, it is due to daily work or family stress.
Other factors that may cause fitful sleep are:
- Medication (some substances can disturb your sleep cycle)
- Physical conditions and chronic diseases
- High doses of caffeine
- Other factors such as an uncomfortable pillow or mattress, loud noises, etc.)
CBD oil and other cannabidiol products affect your physical state, which leads to stress and PTSD relief.
Anxiety and CBD
Anxiety is not a sleep disorder, but it can contribute to insufficient sleep, poor quality sleep, and insomnia. Due to CBD’s calming effects on the nervous system, many people use it to treat anxiety-related issues.
According to one study, almost 80% of the participants who used cannabidiol to treat anxiety and the issues that come with it reported improvements. They noticed positive changes in their condition within a month. Plus, more than 60% of the participants saw improvement in their sleep quality.
Daytime Sleepiness and CBD
People who suffer daytime sleepiness struggle to stay awake during daytime hours. Since CBD helps you stay awake during the day, some people find that consuming CBD products helps them function normally.
As long as you consume CBD in low dosages, the cannabidiol works as a wake-inducing substance. However, in higher dosages, CBD might have sedating effects.
CBD and Insomnia
Insomnia could be a chronic disorder or a short-term problem due to high stress. While the study into the effects of CBD for sleep disorders is new, the early results show promise.
According to one research, CBD helps control cortisol levels, which usually increase in the morning. Unfortunately, people who have insomnia and other sleep disorders also have elevated levels of this stress hormone at night, leading to poor quality sleep.
The research also shows that cannabidiol is generally safe to consume if you have insomnia, as long as you take the proper dosage and do not mix it with alcohol or other medications for psychiatric conditions.
Can You Combine CBD Oil With Melatonin for a Good Night’s Sleep?
Melatonin is a natural sleep aid, popular among people who have insomnia and those who have trouble sleeping occasionally.
Unlike other sleep medications, it is unlikely for someone to become dependent on melatonin. Therefore, chances are also low that a person will experience any hangover effects or other side effects in general.
For those who want to enjoy a good night’s sleep and maximize their rest, a combination of melatonin and CBD looks appealing. It is safe to mix CBD and melatonin for short-term use, but it is essential to be mindful of the dosage. If you haven’t tried this combination before, it is better to start with a low dosage and, if necessary, slowly increase it.
CBD for Sleep: Which CBD Products To Use for a Better Sleep
Although the effects of CBD tend to be the same, some prefer one CBD product over another, depending on their experience with cannabidiol and when they want to use it. Here are some of the most popular CBD products people consume for better sleep.
Tinctures
CBD tincture is alcohol-based cannabidiol, has a bitter taste, and has similar features to CBD oil. To mask the taste, many brands mix it with other flavors, sweeteners, or herbal extracts.
For fast and reliable absorption, it is best to put a few drops under your tongue. If you prefer, you can also add CBD tinctures to drinks and foods for oral ingestion.
Capsules
CBD capsules are one of the most convenient ways to consume CBD for sleep. They conveniently deliver the right amount of cannabidiol to your body through your digestive system.
Smokables
Smoking cannabis is one of the oldest ways to enjoy the benefits CBD offers. Nowadays, you can enjoy CBD benefits via cigarettes, vapes, pre-rolls, and raw flowers.
While tinctures and capsules deliver CBD results, they can’t compare to the effects smoking provides. Cannabinoids enter the bloodstream through the oxygen exchange in the lungs and directly interact with the ECS (endocannabinoid system). Here are some of the key benefits of smoking CBD:
- CBD inhalation has a rapid effect
- It can help those looking to stop smoking cigarettes
- It supports healthy inflammatory functions
- It improves sleep
CBD for Sleep: How To Use It and the Recommended Dosage
If you plan to use CBD tinctures or smokables as natural sleep aids, the recommended dosage to take is 1 milliliter or 1 gram at least one hour before you go to bed.
Depending on the product, you can start to feel the CBD effects within 15-20 minutes. Topicals and edibles may take longer—about one or two hours to kick in.
Here are a few other things to consider before consuming CBD for sleep.
Short-Term Use Might Be Better
CBD’s ability to improve your sleeping cycle may lessen the longer you use it. If you don’t have chronic insomnia, you may not want to use it daily. Some people see improvements in the first month, so if your situation gets better, you might want to pause your CBD use for a few weeks and see what happens.
Increase the Dosage (if Necessary)
Although the recommended dosage is 1 ml or 1 gr, some people find it insufficient and ineffective. If this is the case, you may increase the dosage and see how your body reacts.
Look for High-Quality Products Only
Some CBD products include harmful ingredients and won’t help your sleeping problems. Whether you are an experienced CBD consumer or just started using cannabidiol, it is essential to use high-quality products only to get the most out of CBD.
Use CBD Safely
Before consuming CBD for your insomnia or sleep deprivation, it is essential to consult with your doctor, especially if you currently use other medications. Let the doctor know of any supplements, herbs, and medications you are taking, so they can evaluate if cannabidiol might cause any side effects.
Conclusion
CBD has numerous benefits, from relieving stress to alleviating muscle aches to fighting insomnia. Whether you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, CBD can calm the nervous system, provide stress relief, and help you balance your sleep cycle.
If you want to try CBD for sleep, we offer a rich selection of products for beginners and experienced users at The Other Path. Each product we sell is from a reliable source, laboratory-tested, and made from the highest-quality ingredients to avoid adverse reactions or unwanted side effects. In addition, we partner with brands we trust to deliver only the highest-end products to our clients.
Contact us today at (818) 825-2739 to learn more about our CBD products. We offer free shipping nationwide for all orders over $50.