Recently, taking CBD oil for sleep, pain, anxiety, and many health conditions has risen. The use of CBD is all over the place. By now, you’ve probably heard people talk about CBD and its countless applications. This compound is readily available as a tincture, edible, topical cream, and even infused in some foods.
Today, we are looking at how CBD works for sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, about 50 to 70 million Americans have sleep issues every year. This data is concerning because sleep is a vital element for optimal health and wellbeing. Can CBD help solve this problem?
We’ll find out how CBD may help people with sleep problems like insomnia. You’ll also learn about its other benefits, possible side effects, and the best ways to consume CBD.
What is CBD?
CBD is short for cannabidiol, the second most abundant cannabinoid present in cannabis plants. The other abundant compound in this plant is tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. But, unlike THC, vegan cbd edibles uk doesn’t produce the high associated with marijuana or cannabis. So, CBD cannot make you high or cause any intoxication.
Studies suggest that CBD works through its interaction with the endocannabinoid system. This system is in charge of keeping the body in equilibrium. It supports important body functions like sleep cycles, memory, temperature, inflammatory processes, and much more.
According to Healthline, CBD has as many health benefits as THC. However, with CBD, you can reap the benefits of the cannabis plant without worrying about getting high. Most CBD products come from hemp plants, a type of cannabis with high amounts of CBD but little THC.
CBD for Sleep: Ways to Take CBD
Luckily, there are so many ways you can take CBD for sleep. The most common method is CBD oil tinctures. Also, the CBD gummies. That’s another best option if you don’t like the hempy taste that comes with some CBD oil. You can read about popular brands producing top CBD gummies on today’s market.
Asides from using CBD oil or CBD gummies for sleep, other ways to use CBD include:
- CBD oral sprays
- Pills and capsules
- Vapes and vape juices
- Edibles like cookies and chocolates
Can CBD Oil Help You with Sleep and Insomnia
Before you use CBD oil for sleep, learn how it can help promote better sleep quality. The mechanism of CBD oil for sleep is not fully understood. However, CBD is believed to help sleep by reducing anxiety and pain. But not all CBD brands are equal when it comes to the quality of the products. You need to make sure you are buying CBD oil for sleep from reputed brands to get the maximum health benefits.
CBD May Alleviate Anxiety: Research shows anxiety disorders can cause different sleep problems, including insomnia. Also, according to Sleep Foundation, anxiety leads to poor quality sleep, insufficient sleep, amongst other sleep issues. Early research studies suggest CBD can help treat anxiety and anxiety-related disorders.
A study published in The Permanente Journal looked at the effect of cannabidiol on sleep and anxiety. This three-month study consisted of 72 participants. Results showed that anxiety levels reduced in both groups after the trial. Also, those with sleep problems reported improvement in sleep in the first month of study.
CBD Supports Deep Sleep: Deep Sleep is the stage of sleep necessary for the consolidation of memories. So, people who have insomnia will have impaired memory consolidation. Also, they will not perform as efficiently as other individuals when completing memory-dependent tasks.
Research suggests that the administration of CBD increases total sleep time. In particular, CBD oil can also increase the duration of deep sleep. Therefore, using some of the effective CBD oils for sleep can generally improve your overall sleep quality.
CBD May Alleviate Pain: Needless to say, pain is another cause of sleeping problems. And chronic pain affects millions of people all over the world. For most persons, the severity of the pain is more than enough to keep them up at night. Fortunately, CBD is widely known for its ability to provide relief from pain and inflammation.
Is CBD Legal?
Since the 2018 Farm Bill, CBD derived from hemp plants is considered legal on a federal level. Hemp was removed from the Controlled Substances Act by the federal government. Also, hemp is the term for any cannabis plant that contains no more than 0.3% THC.
However, in the United States, many states have their hemp laws. Some of these states place restrictions on what forms of CBD people can use. So, the best way to know the legal status of CBD is to check your local authority.
Benefits and Side Effects of CBD
One of the benefits of CBD is that it is supported by extensive research in the treatment of epilepsy. The FDA approved a CBD drug, Epidiolex, for treating two rare types of epileptic seizures. Research also suggests that CBD may be beneficial for people with schizophrenia.
Furthermore, preliminary studies show CBD can be a possible treatment agent for many sleep problems. Also, it may help people with anxiety disorders, substance abuse disorders, pain, and inflammation. The effects of CBD in some health conditions still require additional research.
Now that we’ve discussed some of its benefits, what are the possible risks?
Most side effects associated with the use of CBD are mild. These include dry mouth, drowsiness, diarrhea, or other gastrointestinal issues. Also, CBD can interact with some prescription medications and cause negative side effects.
Because of the interaction between CBD and other medications, consult your doctor before using CBD products. They will help you assess the possibility of an interaction.
The Bottom Line
Poor sleep quality is the cause of many health conditions. So, it’s always been a thing of concern when one is not getting enough sleep. It also doesn’t help that most prescription drugs have unwanted side effects. If you’re searching for a natural alternative that can help you sleep better, studies suggest CBD might be the one.
Because of using CBD, it’s best to let your doctor know any prescribed medications you’re taking. That way, you can prevent any negative interactions. More research is needed around all the therapeutic effects of CBD, no doubt. But, current results from preliminary studies are promising.
