Can CBD help you sleep? This is one of the many questions that people struggling with sleep ask when looking for an alternative source of medicine. Cannabidiol (CBD) has been increasingly making waves. Preliminary research reports indicate that CBD has beneficial health properties. It can be effective in promoting good sleep patterns. This can happen through the management of mental, emotional, and physical symptoms. But how can CBD help with such disorders? Can users experience certain risks and potential side effects while using CBD products? This article offers an overview of how CBD can work as a sleep aid and its potential downsides.
How Can CBD Help With Sleep Disorders?
There are various types of sleep disorders with different triggers. By helping to ease the symptoms of these triggers, CBD can help with these sleep disorders. It should be noted that sleep disorders can occur as a result of mental and physical health issues. The most common causes and types of sleep disorders include:
- Anxiety and CBD
Anxiety is one of the biggest contributors to sleep disorders. The constant feeling of restlessness, worry, and racing mind can greatly affect the quality of sleep. However, taking CBD can help manage your anxiety-triggered sleep disorders. This is because CBD can effectively calm the nervous system. Besides that, CBD can regulate hormonal production and provide the user with lasting anti-anxiety benefits.
- Insomnia and CBD
Insomnia causes regular sleep issues. Patients normally have problems getting asleep. It can occur as a result of stress, mental health issues, physical pain and discomfort, neurological issues, and poor sleeping habits. This disorder can result in mood disruptions, poor concentration, fatigue, and excessive daytime sleepiness.
CBD, on the other hand, can help manage various underlying issues that cause insomnia. This includes underlying diseases, pain, inflammation, and mental health disorders as stress and anxiety. Doing so can significantly enhance your sleep patterns and ensure you get quality sleep.
When it comes to choosing the best CBD sleep gummies and oils make sure that you choose a product that is made with high-quality and organic ingredients. The products you choose should be third-party lab tested for purity and potency, so you know exactly what you’re getting. Consider how many mg of CBD you want in each gummy as well – more is not always better, so start with a low dose and increase as needed.
- REM Sleep Behavior Disorder and CBD
Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder is a type of parasomnia. It’s usually characterized by the enactment of behaviors in dreams and can be seen physically. For most people, the dream enactments usually have different ranges of severity. It can be as simple as hand gestures. However, this can turn into violet kicking, punching, or thrashing.
But can CBD help you sleep if you are dealing with REM? It’s true that CBD can help you manage this condition effectively. This is because REM is common in older patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.
Meanwhile, CBD can help slow down the progress of these conditions. By doing so, it can consequentially help to ease the severity of REM. Most patients who use CBD oil for REM reportedly experience reduced prevalence. Sometimes they can only experience it once a week or none at all. Even so, there is still a need for extensive studies to gather more insights.
- Excessive Daytime Sleepiness Disorder and CBD
There is a direct relationship between CBD and excessive daytime sleepiness disorder. This condition is usually caused by sedatives, sleep deprivation, and obstructive sleep apnea. Besides that, sleep disorders such as narcolepsy and psychiatric issues can trigger it.
However, using CBD for insomnia can help you manage such issues. You might consider using CBD if you have trouble staying awake during the day. For effective results, you need to implement a good sleeping schedule. Thereafter, ensure that you consume CBD oil some minutes before your usual bedtime. It’s important to do so consistently in order to finally end up with a good sleep-wake cycle.
It’s worth noting that research studies also indicate that CBD can be used as a wake-inducing drug. It all depends on the dosage and when you use it. It has sedative properties as well and that’s why it can help you sleep. More study is still required to determine the efficacy of CBD for sleep, though.
- Chronic Pain and CBD
Does CBD help with insomnia, especially if you are dealing with chronic pain? Yes. Chronic pain can have significant effects on your sleep quality. However, researchers have found that consuming or applying CBD to those painful areas can ease pain and inflammation. This is because the cannabinoid has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. As a result, it can effectively control pain, allowing the body and mind to relax.
How to use CBD for sleep
CBD is a versatile cannabis compound, and you can find it in many forms. The most commonly used form for sleep is gummies. This is because they are sweet, edible treats that come in many flavors. Besides that, CBD gummies tend to produce lasting effects.
Other forms include the use of CBD oil and tinctures. They are usually in the form of droplets and used sublingually. Many brands often formulate special CBD oil for sleep which includes sleep boosting ingredients such as melatonin for additional effects.
Apart from the oil, you can also use CBD oral sprays by applying them under the tongue. Vapes and vape juices are ideal for providing almost instant effects. They only have a short-term impact, though. Capsules and pills, just like gummies also provide lasting effects. The goal is to ensure you find high quality CBD products made of organic plant extracts.
If you have trouble falling asleep, take your oral CBD dose 1-2 hours before your usual bedtime. If you have issues staying asleep, then take your oral CBD dose once your head is about to hit the pillow.
CBD Dosage for Insomnia
Most clinical trials involving the use of CBD for sleep had subjects using between 25 and 1,500 mg CBD daily. A 2019 study found that adults with sleep and anxiety issues can use between 25 mg and 75 mg of CBD to improve sleep quality.
Until now, there is no universal dosage recommendation for CBD. This is because CBD products are normally treated as supplements. Besides that, there are many factors that usually influence CBD dosage. This includes an individual’s biochemistry, age, weight, the severity of sleep issues, and other underlying issues.
According to experts, it’s best to start with a low dosage. Thereafter, you can gradually increase the intake amount until you find the dosage that works for you. remember that what works for you might not work for others and vice-versa. It should be noted that most users should expect to experience immediate differences. It takes a couple of weeks of consistent use to notice a difference.
Side Effects and Safety Concerns of CBD
CBD has a good safety profile and that’s why it’s widely used. However, different people react uniquely to it. Even though it’s relatively safe for use, it can still result in a few side effects. Some of the minor downsides you can experience include:
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Dry mouth
- Changes in weight
- Changes in appetite
Besides that, it can interact with certain medications, including blood thinners. Besides that, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using CBD products. This is because some mislabeled or contaminated products can interfere with their young one’s health.
Final Thoughts
CBD can help manage sleep disorders, especially if used alongside trace THC and melatonin. Preliminary research reports indicate it can effectively manage mental and physical discomforts. As a result, it can ease the symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, REM, and others. Besides that, you can use CBD to manage pain that triggers sleeplessness and insomnia. How you use CBD depends on the triggers of your sleep issues and the effects you want to experience. The general goal is to start with low doses and then gradually work your way up. This way, you can allow your body to adjust accordingly and minimize the risks of side effects. If possible, consult your doctor first for guidance.