In the last few years, the effects of substances derived from the cannabis plant, and CBD in particular, have become a subject of interest for researchers around the world. While it might not be the definitive cure for all physical and mental health conditions known to man, various studies have shown that it does have numerous health benefits, including improved sleep quality.

So, if you are among the millions of people who have trouble falling asleep due to stress or a sleep disorder, you might want to consider using CBD products for better sleep. If that sounds like something that you would like to try, here, you will find a detailed guide to using CBD products to transform poor sleep into restful sleep.

What Are Cannabinoids and CBD?

Cannabis sativa is a narrow-leafed plant that contains a number of chemically interesting compounds, including a large group referred to as cannabinoids. While more than one hundred cannabinoids have already been identified, researchers have focused on tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol, also known as THC and CBD.

What Is THC?

THC is a substance that is responsible for the majority of marijuana’s psychoactive effects. Cannabis plants and any derivatives with less than 0.3% THC are labeled as hemp. In 2018, the United States federal government decided that hemp was not going to be a controlled substance any longer. Because of that, the American market saw an influx of CBD brands and products derived from hemp plants, ranging from CBD isolate and CBD oils to CBD gummies and chocolate infused with CBD.

What Is CBD?

CBD is a Cannabis sativa constituent found in the cannabis plant and it does not have the same psychoactive properties as THC. In other words, it cannot produce a high and its use cannot lead to potential dependency. As a result, it can be legally sold all over the United States, provided that it is extracted from hemp.

In fact, the Food and Drug Administration has already approved an oral CBD solution for seizure treatment in three uncommon and severe forms of epilepsy – tuberous sclerosis complex, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, and Dravet syndrome.

CBD as a Sleep Aid

Quite a few studies suggest that CBD may benefit sleep. Because of that, thousands of people who are suffering from insomnia, REM sleep behavior disorder, and other sleep disorders often use it to fall asleep faster and/or stay asleep for longer.

Insomnia

The hypothalamus, which is a structure located deep in the brain, controls the body’s autonomic nervous system. As a result, it plays a huge role in a number of sleep-related functions, including synchronizing sleep patterns. Unfortunately, it does not always work the way it should. If you feel stressed out all the time, it might start producing excessive amounts of a stress hormone that can cause sleeplessness in humans and animals alike. In the long run, it may lead to chronic insomnia.

Luckily, CBD can be an excellent sleep aid and provide you with insomnia relief quickly and effectively by working with the hypothalamus and counteracting its hormones. [1]

Circadian Rhythm Disorders

Each and every one of us has an internal clock. That clock is responsible for making us fall asleep in the evening and waking up in the morning. Circadian rhythm disorders develop when that internal clock is misaligned with its environment.

A circadian rhythm disorder can develop due to a sudden change in one’s sleep habits, often due to work and travel, or as a byproduct of ageing, genetics, or a medical condition. Then, you might feel wide awake in the middle of the night and incredibly sleepy in the late morning, which can be quite exhausting and troublesome if your work or other responsibilities require you to be fully functioning during the day.

CBD sleep products can help you deal with this disorder by improving both the quantity and quality of the sleep that you are getting. By interacting with cannabinoid receptors in your body, CBD will make you progress through all the normal stages of sleep without interruption and in tune with the diurnal rhythm of day and night, resulting in a restful night’s sleep. [2]

Anxiety

It appears that CBD can be used to treat anxiety disorders, the symptoms of which often include issues with falling and staying asleep. A number of studies have shown that CBD can effectively decrease anxiety, which, in turn, can improve sleep. It does so by interacting with the endocannabinoid receptors located in the limbic system, which is a group of brain regions that play a crucial role in quite a few important functions, including storage of memories, sexual arousal, and the regulation of emotions.

An anxiety disorder can throw the limbic system off balance by causing you to have intrusive thoughts. As a result, you might find it difficult to fall and stay asleep. In such a situation, CBD can act as an equalizer and make the limbic system repress any unwelcome thoughts, which can facilitate sleep and improve your life quality in general. [3] So, if you are dealing with anxiety-related sleep issues, a high-quality CBD product might be just what you need to fix it.

Restless Leg Syndrome

RLS is a neurological condition that can have a negative impact on sleep quality and quantity. It does so by provoking an uncontrollable and unpleasant urge to move the legs, which can wake you up and prevent you from going back to sleep. CBD products, such as full-spectrum CBD oils and CBD isolate, can help with that by reducing the number and frequency of abnormal nerve firings that cause the aforementioned urge. [4] Still, more research is needed to confirm whether CBD can be used to treat RLS.

Chronic Pain

In case you cannot sleep due to chronic pain, CBD products might be able to help you out. Studies show that CBD has pain-relieving properties. You just need to apply a topical CBD product, like broad-spectrum CBD oil, on painful areas to reduce both pain and swelling caused by inflammation. [5] As a result, you will finally be able to relax and get enough restful sleep.

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

REM sleep behavior disorder is a condition in which one makes aggressive movements and verbalizes during the REM stage of sleep. It is common in elderly people dealing with neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease. Obviously, it can prevent you from getting enough proper sleep.

Fortunately, clinical data shows that CBD can help some Parkinson’s disease patients get a good night’s sleep. A recent study showed that such patients experienced a transient improvement in sleep satisfaction with a dose of 300 milligrams of CBD for sleep. [6]

Can I Use CBD for Insomnia?

Yes, you can use CBD products for insomnia. According to research, CBD can act as a natural sleep aid. As a result, taking CBD might result in better sleep. Ideally, you should opt for using high-quality CBD oil products, such as full-spectrum CBD oil made with organic hemp seed oil. Having found the right product, use it an hour or two before bedtime and enjoy some good night’s rest!

Is CBD Any Good for Sleep?

Yes, CBD may help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep for longer. So, if you want to enjoy some sweet sleep, CBD oil and other CBD products might be useful in achieving that goal. Early studies suggest that just 25 milligrams of CBD may help you fall asleep, while a dosage of 160 milligrams can increase sleep duration. [8] [9]

Keep in mind that even when one CBD product works for someone, it might not work for you. For that reason, you might want to experiment with different CBD products. Luckily, the CBD market has plenty of interesting things to offer, ranging from various CBD oils like full-spectrum CBD oil with lemon balm to gluten-free CBD gummies with sleep terpenes. With such a large number of possible choices, you should be able to find something that works for you soon enough!

Can CBD Get Me High?

No, CBD cannot get you high, as it does not have the same psychoactive properties as THC does. High concentrations of CBD might cause an uplifting effect, but it is not the same thing as a high.

Why Use CBD Oil for Sleep?

Unlike prescription medication, CBD oil is natural and well-tolerated. It is highly unlikely to cause serious side effects or addiction. Other than that, it does not have psychoactive properties and can work its magic at a low dose. Therefore, if you are looking for natural sleep aids with little to no side effects, the best CBD oils and other CBD products might be just what you need!

How to Use CBD?

CBD can be used in many different ways, the most popular ones being edibles and topicals. It may also be taken sublingually, vaped, and smoked.

Edibles

Edibles are a great way to enjoy the health benefits of CBD. The CBD industry, including a number of CBD sleep brands, offers hundreds of delicious CBD treats, such as CBD softgels, CBD gummies, chocolate, and gluten-free muffins.

In order to use a CBD edible for sleep, you need to find a product that you like and eat it before bedtime. Since CBD in edibles has to be digested to work its goodness, you should eat a CBD edible one hour before going to sleep.

Topicals

In case you are dealing with muscle pain and it is preventing you from getting restful sleep, you can apply a generous amount of CBD topical to the painful area right before bedtime. It will result in concentrated pain relief. The best high-quality CBD products for topical pain relief include CBD creams and CBD salves.

Sublingual Products

Sublingual products are meant to be applied under the tongue. The main benefit of using CBD in such a way is that you might be able to feel its effects faster in comparison to edibles, as in this way, a CBD product doesn’t have to go through the digestive tract. The best products that you can use sublingually include CBD oil for sleep, as well as CBD tinctures and CBD sprays.

Vaping and Smoking

You can insert a cartridge with CBD oil into a vaporizer, as well as smoke CBD flower in a joint. You can also inhale concentrated CBD in the form of sugar waxes, provided that you own a vape pen with a special chamber for concentrates. By using CBD this way, you will be able to feel its effects in just ten minutes. On the other hand, smoking CBD can result in exposure to carcinogens and irritate the lungs, so it might not be the best choice for regular consumption.

When Is the Best Time to Take CBD for Sleep?

It is often recommended that when you first start using CBD for sleep, you should try taking CBD during the day. That way, you can see how you react to a specific dosage of CBD and adjust that dosage accordingly to achieve the best results.

If you want to inhale some CBD before going to bed, you can do it around half an hour before bedtime. And if you want to take CBD oil or CBD tincture, do it around an hour before trying to sleep.

In case you want to go for an edible, eat it one hour before going to bed. Why? The CBD in an edible has to go through the digestive system to start working, which means that it will take you much longer to feel its effects in comparison to other forms of CBD.

How Much CBD Should You Take for Sleep?

There is no one correct dosage that will work for everyone. Still, there are some general guidelines that you can follow.

In the majority of cases, taking 1 to 6 milligrams of CBD per every 10 pounds of body weight should do the trick. To give an example, if you weigh 200 pounds, you could take 20 milligrams to 120 milligrams of CBD for sleep on a daily basis.

Ideally, you should start slow. While CBD has been found to be well-tolerated by humans and animals alike, it’s advised to begin with a small dose just to make sure that you do not have a negative reaction.

In order to determine how much CBD you need to be able to feel its effects, you should track how much CBD you take and how it makes you feel. On top of that, note down how many times you wake up during the night, how long it takes you to fall asleep, how long you sleep, and how you feel after you wake up. If you do not see a difference after a few days, start gradually increasing the dosage until you feel satisfied.

CBD For Sleep – FAQ

The Importance of Quality Sleep

It is worth noting that CBD alone will not make your sleep truly restful. In addition to taking CBD, you should do a few other things that can help to improve one’s quality of sleep.

For starters, you should make the room that you sleep in as sleep-inducing as possible. You can achieve that goal by paying attention to the following things.

• Set a pleasant temperature. If the bedroom feels too hot or too cold, you will find it difficult to fall and stay asleep. The ideal temperature can vary from person to person, but around sixty-five degrees Fahrenheit / eighteen degrees Celsius should do the trick.
• Sleep on a high-quality mattress. Sleeping on a mattress that you find comfortable is important. In addition to saving you from neck and back pain, it can make falling and staying asleep easier by preventing you from tossing and turning all night long.
• Avoid excess light exposure. Did you know that excess light exposure can have a negative impact on the body’s circadian rhythm? Luckily, you can prevent that from happening by putting blackout curtains over the bedroom windows. Aside from that, you could start using a sleep mask.
• Eliminate nearby sources of noise. If you want to build a sleep-positive bedroom, you should eliminate nearby sources of noise. Alternatively, unpleasant and distracting noises can always be drowned out with a white noise machine or a fan. And if that is not enough, consider using earplugs or noise-canceling headphones. Doing so is guaranteed to stop irritating noises from bothering you.
• Introduce a pleasant aroma. If you introduce a pleasant aroma to the bedroom, you might find it easier to fall asleep. In general, you should opt for essential oils with calming aromas, such as lavender, jasmine, bergamot, and chamomile.

In addition to doing the things listed above, you should start going to sleep and waking up at the same time every day, even on the weekends. You should also be very careful with naps. If possible, take a nap in the early afternoon and ensure that the length of that nap does not exceed twenty minutes. Taking a longer nap during the day might feel pleasant, but it is likely to prevent you from falling asleep at night.

You could also start paying attention to what you do every night before going to sleep. Ideally, you should use that time to wind down and disconnect from any and all devices, including laptops and cell phones. The light emitted by such devices can suppress the natural production of the sleep hormone melatonin, the lack of which can contribute to insomnia and a wide range of other sleep problems.

Sources:

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28349316/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6591053/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6326553/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7488602/
5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32858828/
6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33754375/
7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21867717/
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6326553/
9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24281562/