Sleep – we all need it, but what’s it have to do with CBD?
For every person – from infants to the elderly – sleep is critical to keeping the mind and body in good health. Some people can function with a few hours while others may need more than eight to perform at optimal levels.
Regardless of the style or amount of sleep someone requires, one thing is clear: a lack of quality sleep can have destructive effects on the body’s overall health. Thousands of life-altering mistakes are made every year due to a lack of proper sleep.
For those who suffer from insomnia, varying forms of relief are available ranging from prescription medication to exercise and diet changes to meditation. However, these can come with side effects or might simply not be that effective enough. Maybe you’re in this place; you’ve tried everything but still can’t figure out what works.
Thankfully, a natural remedy has shown a lot of promise in providing relief from many sleep disorders: CBD oil.
Our body naturally produces cannabinoids through the endocannabinoid system – a system that contributes to maintaining equilibrium throughout the body. However, occasionally the body cannot produce enough hormones to regulate the system and requires help from external sources.
This is where cannabidiol (CBD) – a cannabinoid derived from the cannabis plant – comes into the picture.
Research shows that those who suffer from poor sleep may achieve longer periods of overall rest by using CBD. Additionally, early research suggests that CBD may provide relief for insomnia sufferers who struggle to achieve REM sleep due to anxiety. (1, 2)
CBD’s Anti-Inflammatory And Anti-Oxidative Properties
CBD, an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative compound, has many different health benefits. However, unlike its counterpart, THC, CBD does not have cause mind-altering effects but still provides an abundance of health uses and benefits.
Some benefits of CBD include:
- Reduced anxiety
- Improved sleep
- Relief from chronic pain
- Clearer skin
- Seizure relief
- Nausea relief
- Appetite enhancement
- …and more.
With sleep habits, in particular, CBD has shown promising potential for providing relief from many sleep disorders such as excessive daytime sleepiness, obstructive sleep apnea, REM sleep behavior disorder, nightmares associated with PTSD, and reduced sleep due to chronic pain. One common sleep disorder that CBD is known to help with is insomnia. (3)
Affecting nearly 30 percent of adults in the short term and 10 percent chronically, insomnia is the most common culprit for poor sleep. (4)
As the National Sleep Foundation describes: (5)
Insomnia can be caused by psychiatric and medical conditions, unhealthy sleep habits, specific substances, and/or certain biological factors. Recently, researchers have begun to think about insomnia as a problem of your brain being unable to stop being awake (your brain has a sleep cycle and a wake cycle—when one is turned on the other is turned off—insomnia can be a problem with either part of this cycle: too much wake drive or too little sleep drive). It’s important to first understand what could be causing your sleep difficulties. (6)
Whether insomnia is caused by allergies, endocrine problems, neurological conditions, chronic pain, or something else, finding relief is crucial to thriving in and enjoying all other aspects of life.
CBD targets the endocannabinoid system, a part of our brain that has the CB1 and CB2 receptors.
This system is essential for regulating the body overall, improving balance, and working with the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, and peripheral organs. The CB1 receptor is associated with cognitive actions – mood, memory, appetite, etc. Alternatively, the CB2 receptor is responsible for the body’s response to pain and inflammation. The non-intoxicating properties of CBD interact with the receptors in the endocannabinoid system allowing them to rebalance. (7, 8)
Stabilizing Sleep With CBD Oil
Equally important as actually being able to fall asleep is the importance of staying asleep. Because of the way CBD stimulates the endocannabinoid system, it can regulate how you sleep and allow for a more consistent sleep pattern.
By regularly including the right dose of CBD in their daily routines, many users report more stable sleeping patterns, while studies demonstrate better REM sleep – the part of a sleep cycle that gives the best kind of rest.
CBD for falling and staying asleep? Science says “yes.”
CBD for Reducing Anxiety
Anxiety can cripple many parts aspects of life – social engagement, completing work tasks, and healthy sleep cycles. It can cause a perpetual sense of fatigue that inhibits sleep, causing the anxiety itself to be even more severe in a seemingly unending cycle.
Once again, CBD to the rescue.
As previously noted, CBD regulates the endocannabinoid system, but, it also plays a role in the nervous system. A short-coming in either of these systems can lead to the feeling of anxiety. Managing these systems allows the body to feel more relaxed, enhancing sleeping patterns and halting the anxiety/lack of sleep cycle.
Particularly, CBD can target cognitive function while reducing the discomfort of racing thoughts.
When it comes to insomnia caused by anxiety, CBD continues to show great potential.
CBD for Relieving Pain
Recent studies show that there is an important connection between CBD and pain reduction. Pain is often linked with insomnia; often, chronic pain can cause individuals to stay up or have restless nights. (9)
CBD targets the CB2 receptor to decrease inflammation in the body allowing for a restful sleep while reducing pain.
What CBD Dosage Will Allow For Better Sleep?
CBD is not yet regulated which means it’s difficult to give a specific dosage that would counteract insomnia. However, there are different ratios of CBD that can give you a good night’s sleep. Finding a strain that is relaxing and can aid with sleep is important when searching for reliable providers.
Best of all, CBD’s side effects are minimal.
Many traditional medications have major side effects, including:
- Dependency with worsening symptoms after medications are discontinued
- Dizziness
- A loss of balance
- Addiction and withdrawal difficulties
- Digestive issues
- Impairment upon waking,
- Shaking
- Changes in appetite
- …and more.
The good news is that due to its natural properties, CBD has a low rate of side effects and can provide tremendous relief. Although researchers continue to gain insight, the relief this non-addictive or habit-forming compound can provide is promising.
The relief provided by CBD can be so great it may just put you to sleep.
