Does CBD Work as a Natural Sleep Aid?

A good night’s rest through sleeping is essential for your overall health and well-being. According to sleep experts, the recommended number of hours for adults to sleep is between seven to nine hours. Sleeping is our body’s “natural daily reboot,” whereby it allows our bodies to prevent sickness by repairing the muscles and tissues and even aiding in memory formation and retention.

Studies show that 32.6% of working adults are unfortunately not getting adequate sleep or are finding sleep physically challenging. While sleep deprivation can be linked to multiple sources, such as lifestyle choices, work obligations, poor sleep hygiene, and even sleep disorders, not all cases of insomnia and sleep deprivation are the same, though. Many people’s struggles with falling asleep are related to psychological problems like despair, anxiety disorders, or PTSD. This is why it is not surprising that adults are increasingly turning to sleep aids to help them improve and regulate quality sleep. 

Taking cannabidiol (CBD), a cannabis plant derivative, for instance, is one method that is becoming more and more popular for helping with sleep deprivation. CBD is frequently employed to enhance sleep and lessen anxiety, and generally help with any kind of sleep disorder. Since the usage and regulation of CBD are limited, much more research and testing must be done to determine the exact extent of the effects of CBD on improving sleep quality. However, the following are the demonstrated effects of CBD for sleep that is backed up by current studies.

What is CBD?

CBD is a non-intoxicating compound found in the cannabis plant. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD does not produce any psychoactive effects. This means that it will not make you feel “high” or “stoned” after consuming it. CBD is normally derived from hemp plants, which contain very low levels of THC. In most cases, CBD oil products have been further processed to remove all traces of THC.

CBD oil can be taken in several ways, including orally, through the use of CBD capsules, and topically, in the form of CBD creams and lotions. The use of CBD is becoming more widespread in the United States. The scientific legitimacy of CBD’s effectiveness is still debatable in the majority of situations, despite the fact that it has been linked to several health benefits. Nonetheless, an increasing number of people are using CBD for various purposes, including improving sleep.

CBD and Sleep Disorders

Studies have shown that the usage of CBD and THC together shows promise in the treatment of sleep problems, including insomnia, sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, and nightmares associated with PTSD. However, CBD alone has not been studied in big placebo-controlled clinical studies, the gold standard for scientific study, to see if it can improve sleep.

CBD does not have intrinsic sedating properties. Drowsiness was a side effect of CBD treatment for seizures in some trials, although this may have been due to “CBD interacting with other pharmaceuticals” such as anti-epileptic drugs.

However, according to Ryan Vandrey, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and director of the institution’s Cannabis Science Laboratory, CBD may indirectly benefit sleep by treating other diseases. He gave the example of being able to sleep better if the chronic pain keeps you up at night, and CBD helps to relieve your suffering. Similarly, he continued, “CBD may lessen anxiety” if you have trouble falling asleep as a result of your worry.

CBD in Improving Poor Sleep

While several studies have shown that CBD has the potential to aid sleep, there still needs to be more large-scale human trials to verify these preliminary findings. Nevertheless, the current evidence is quite promising. For example, CBD is currently being researched for its potential use as an adjuvant. This would include using cannabinoids to target the endocannabinoid system in order to reduce symptoms and improve extinction training related to fear memories, as is the case with PTSD-induced nightmares.

CBD and REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

Patients with REM sleep behavior disorder talk and act violently when they are in the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep. The problem is actually more prevalent in elderly persons with neurological illnesses, including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

In a research study, four Parkinson’s patients participated in a small trial where CBD was used to treat the symptoms of REM sleep behavior disorder. The individuals had disorder symptoms 2–7 times per week prior to using CBD. The symptoms appeared 0–1 times a week after using CBD. These preliminary findings point to CBD as a potential therapy for REM sleep behavior disorder, but further research is required.

How to Use CBD for Sleep

There are a number of ways to introduce CBD into your body. As a start, CBD used as a sleeping aid can be used in different forms of CBD products:

• Oral medications, such as the FDA-approved medication Epidiolex
• Oral sprays that are used sublingually
• CBD oil, such as sweet sleep CBD oil
• Vapes and vape juice for vaping pens
• Edibles like candies, chocolates, or biscuits, as well as alcoholic drinks like coffee and tea
• CBD sleep capsules & pills
• Topical treatments, such as creams, gels, patches, lotions, and ointments

In general, vaping CBD allows you to absorb it faster than with other methods. Vaping CBD hasn’t received much research, and vaping, in general, may be dangerous for your respiratory system.

The individuals in the majority of clinical studies on CBD and sleep received daily doses of 25 mg to 1,500 mg of CBD. It’s advisable to start with a small dosage and raise it gradually until you discover a solution that works for you.

Several variables will affect how much CBD you use and when you take it, but how the CBD will react to your body will depend on your weight, unique body chemistry, and the type of sleeping issues you have because what works for some individuals might not be the same for others.

Major Effects of Taking CBD

The nervous system is calmed by CBD because CBD has an impact on the serotonin pathway, which can also affect moods. Results vary from person to person and are affected by the kind of product and dosage. Nonetheless, high doses of CBD do not mimic the effects of THC, which results in the sense of being “high.” In addition, when it comes to the topic of addiction, short-term CBD usage studies have shown that individuals do not go through withdrawal.

Side-Effects of Taking CBD

Side effects are relatively uncommon. However, you may experience some minor side effects.

• diarrhea
• fatigue
• changes in appetite
• changes in weight

Over-the-counter CBD products are currently not covered by the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) guarantee of quality, safety, or efficacy. However, they might take legal action against CBD firms that make unsubstantiated health claims in order to safeguard public health.

Companies occasionally mislabel or misrepresent their goods since the FDA does not monitor CBD products in the same way that it regulates medicines or dietary supplements. Therefore, it’s crucial to conduct your own study and choose a high-quality product.

Do some background research on a company before you buy CBD from them. Avoid firms that have a history of mislabeling CBD, and choose CBD that has undergone independent testing.

CBD with Prescription Medicine

Other prescription drugs that a person is taking may interact with CBD. CBD affects the liver’s capacity to metabolize several drugs. Additionally, combining CBD with herbs or supplements may cause the patient to nod off excessively.

Consult your physician prior to utilizing any CBD product. Any drugs, herbs, or supplements you are taking should be disclosed to your doctor so they can determine whether CBD might have an adverse effect on them.

Taking CBD with Other Sleep Aids

Melatonin, another widely used natural sleep aid, is frequently used by those who struggle with insomnia and difficulty falling asleep. Melatonin is typically safe for short-term usage, according to studies. With melatonin, you are less likely to develop a dependence, lose effectiveness after repeated use (habit), or suffer a hangover effect than with many other sleep aids.

Can CBD oil and melatonin be used together? For individuals who wish to get the most out of a combination of natural sleep aids to enhance their slumber, mixing CBD and melatonin is an intriguing alternative. Yes, it is the solution. It is quite safe to mix the two sleep aids. 

Nevertheless, because every person is unique, it’s crucial to constantly pay attention to the dose and make sure that this combination is suitable for you.

Conclusion

Doctors frequently advise behavioral adjustments to treat insomnia and other sleep disorders, and sometimes with the help of prescription medications. Although there hasn’t been much study on the effects of CBD use over the long term, it seems to be generally harmless.

Although doctors are unclear if CBD promotes sleep, some data shows that it may lengthen sleep. More research will be necessary to determine the best CBD dosage and the best technique to use it to promote sleep but take these in mind when considering using CBD as a sleep aid, and it might considerably help in improving your sleep quality and getting that well-deserved rest.