CBD oil has exploded in popularity as many health claims regarding CBD for the use of controlling pain, inflammation, and many other conditions have risen.
Lately, the use of CBD oil has also extended to improve sleep quality and quantity in those suffering from sleep disorders. Many studies have shown CBDs effectiveness in improving the quality of sleep while decreasing the sleep latency period!
Sleep disorders can cause problems like memory loss, irritable mood, difficulty driving, drowsiness and decreased mental clarity. It’s important for you to get 6-8 hours of restful sleep every day! Sleeping heals your body and also improves your brain’s function.
So, could CBD be the holy grail to all your sleep problems? Keep reading more to find out!
What is CBD Oil?
CBD is short for “cannabidiol” – a compound that is extracted from the leaves, flowers and the stalks of the hemp plant, which is a member of the Cannabis Sativa plant family. Chemically, it falls under the category of a cannabinoid.
There are over a hundred different types of cannabinoids that are found in the hemp plant. The next section discusses more about the effects of cannabinoids, specifically CBD, on the body!
How Does CBD Oil Affect Sleep?
CBD could significantly improve your quality of sleep, along with quantity. Not only this, but it also decreases sleep latency period. If you’re not among the lucky ones that can fall asleep a minute after getting into bed, this may be for you. The sleep latency period is the time it takes for you to fall asleep, and CBD can significantly reduce it.
Do you often feel sleepy and tired after waking up even though you slept for 8 hours? That could be because your quality of sleep is disrupted. When you sleep, there are two cycles of sleep that you experience: REM sleep and non-REM sleep. REM sleep is the one where your brain waves function as if you were awake. You also experience nightmares during this cycle of sleep and if REM sleep constitutes most of your sleeping time, you end up feeling tired and drowsy throughout the day. High-quality sleep can only be achieved during non-REM sleep. CBD could increase the duration of non-REM sleep to give you more restful, deep sleep from which you wake up feeling relaxed and replenished.
So, how does CBD have all these effects? Keep reading to find out more!
The Endocannabinoid System
The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is a complex network of compounds (called endocannabinoids), receptors that these compounds bind to, and enzymes. The two receptors in the endocannabinoid system are – CB1 and CB2 receptors.
The ECS is naturally found inside humans, and it’s responsible for regulating many functions like memory, mood, pain, appetite and digestion. The receptors of the ECS are distributed throughout the body, which includes the Central Nervous System, the main sleep-regulating center.
The Endocannabinoid system was discovered fairly recently, so research is still underway to learn the exact “know-how” of this system.
CBD Oil for Sleep – How Does it Work?
CBD is a cannabinoid that’s similar in structure to the endocannabinoids found inside the body. It produces its effects by influencing the endocannabinoid system as well as other receptors in the body, including serotonin receptors. Serotonin is a neurochemical responsible for regulating mood and appetite as well.
Anxiety and pain are common causes of impaired sleep and most people suffering from these don’t even realize that this could be the root cause of their poor sleep. By influencing the serotonin receptors in the brain, CBD could decrease anxiety and depression, leading to better and more peaceful sleep.
Additionally, CBD could also reduce the levels of cortisol in your body, as shown by a study. Cortisol affects your sleeping routine and a higher cortisol level makes you frequently wake up at night. It is a stress hormone that is released, well, during times of stress! It peaks during the morning, which coincides with the time at which you normally wake up. However, those who are stressed have higher cortisol levels at night too.
Unlike traditional sleeping pills that often have a hangover effect during the day, CBD makes you feel refreshed and relaxed. Thus, you don’t need to worry about feeling sleepy during the daytime.
The Effect of CBD Oil with Terpenes
The hemp plant doesn’t only contain cannabinoids like CBD, but it also contains terpenes like myrcene, which also promote sleep. Thus, broad-spectrum or full-spectrum hemp oil that contains all the cannabinoids and terpenes of the hemp plant could work better to improve your sleep than CBD isolate oil alone.
What Qualities Should You Look for When Buying CBD Oil for Sleep?
CBD oil is not a cheap product – it’s expensive and highly valuable. Thus, you need to make sure that the product you’re getting is genuine and not a counterfeit product. Consider these 3 things when purchasing CBD oil:
- Always go for a brand that has 3rd party lab test results available. These lab results are reliable and ensure transparency. The lab tests should reveal that the product is free from contaminants like heavy metals and other harmful chemicals. Moreover, the THC level in the product should be within the legal limit.
- Make sure you’re getting CBD oil from a brand that uses organic, non-GMO hemp. This improves the quality of the product and ensures that you’re not getting low-quality inorganic CBD.
- Confirm that the label clearly states the amount of CBD in the container. Counterfeit companies often use terms like “hempseed oil” instead of CBD – which is an entirely different oil that you can get for a much cheaper price!
Always get your CBD oil from a reputable brand that delivers effective products.
What Are the Side Effects of CBD Oil?
CBD barely has any side effects and is generally well-tolerated. However, in cases where side effects occur, they include minor effects like diarrhea and changes in appetite. CBD allergies are also very rare!
Will CBD Make Me High?
CBD doesn’t make you high because it isn’t psychoactive. The compound in marijuana that gives a high is called THC, which is present in negligible amounts in the hemp plant. THC levels are strictly regulated in CBD products so you don’t need to worry about getting high!
Taking CBD Oil for Sleep – Dosage and Instructions
If you’re going to be taking CBD oil for sleep, you’ll need a higher dose than that required to tackle anxiety. Start with 50 mg per day if you’re an average-sized adult and then carefully make your way up until you see the results you want.
If you’re taking CBD tincture sublingually, you should take it about 20 minutes before going to bed. The sublingual route gives quick results so you should see the effects almost instantly.
If you’re taking CBD capsules, tablets or edibles, you should take them a few hours before going to bed because the capsules need to go through the digestive system first.
So, what are you waiting for? Get your daily dose of CBD today and experience the endless benefits of this compound yourself. After all, you shouldn’t be compromising on your sleep! Sleep well, live well!