Have you had another night of poor sleep and laid awake for half the night for no apparent reason, maybe even resorting to sleeping pills in the end? Does this sound familiar? If so, you're not alone! One in three people regularly sleep poorly and wake up feeling exhausted and worn out. There are various reasons for sleep disorders, which can manifest as insomnia, disturbed sleeping habits, and poor sleep quality. In most cases, the cause is too much stress, or it's associated with psychological issues or even illnesses.
There are surely some people who might find a traditional joint helpful for sleep. But since this habit can potentially harm consumers, it's strongly discouraged. There are better ways to combat sleep problems: Taking CBD oil.
We've researched how CBD can help you sleep better and summarized it in a concise form for you. You'll get a comprehensive insight with information on user experiences and the current state of research.
How can one truly recognize sleep disorders?
Everyone has probably had a bad night's sleep at some point, but when can we really talk about sleep disorders? About a third of the population struggles with sleep disorders. They don't sleep properly and frequently wake up during the night or have problems falling asleep at all, plagued by insomnia. However, there are other symptoms of sleep disorders:
- Waking up not rested and lacking energy
- Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)
- Irritability
- Sleep apnea
- Nightmares
- Muscle aches
These and other causes could be signs of a serious sleep disorder and inadequate sleep hygiene. Some suffer from sleep problems only temporarily, while others struggle with them continuously and the resulting discomfort.
A recent study [1] examined the influence of anxiety on sleep and also explored the role of CBD.
Definitely a topic worth investigating more!
What are the causes of sleep disorders?
There are various factors that cause one to suffer from sleep disorders. We distinguish between internal and external factors. Often, stress is a significant factor. This can be psychological stress, but also job-related stress, which is often underestimated. Other causes can include:
- Depression or anxiety
- Physical factors, like body aches, headaches, or general pain
- Environmental factors, like noise or light
All these things can disturb our natural biorhythm. As a result, body and mind get out of balance, our day-night rhythm can be negatively affected, and sleep deprivation often occurs.
Is resorting to sleeping aids the only way out?
Perhaps you've considered using sleeping aids to get a full night's sleep. You're not alone in this, and many report that they could fall asleep well with the help of sleeping aids, but still woke up exhausted the next morning. Not to mention the side effects that sleeping aids can bring and the fact that they can even be addictive.
A better approach would be to investigate the root causes of sleep disorders and examine what could be behind them. Often it's our own stress that doesn't allow the mind and thoughts to rest. If sleepless nights become more frequent, a certain fear of going to bed and not being able to fall asleep can develop. With these thoughts, you go to bed and can't switch off even more.
There are some natural ways to go to bed without stress. Why not try relaxation exercises, meditation, or yoga - these forms of relaxation can help you to switch off and let go. To change your sleep habits sustainably, it's better to plan half an hour of reading time before going to bed instead of reaching for your smartphone, signaling to your brain that it's time to sleep.
CBD can also be a good remedy!
Stress - truly responsible for sleep disorders?
Stress is often the main reason for sleep disorders. Simply "going to bed" is not enough to forget the day's events. On the contrary - the quietness allows thoughts to fill the space, making it hard to fall asleep. The effects are often noticeable during sleep as well, especially when accompanied by problems sleeping through the night.
If you don't want to resort to sleeping pills, CBD oil could be an alternative for you. CBD has anxiolytic effects [2], which relax your mind and help you regain your normal sleep rhythm. It is known for "shutting down" your body in a sense - in a completely natural way as a product of nature.
How Does CBD Oil Affect Sleep Disorders?
Several studies suggest that CBD can help you fully relax, thus making it easier to fall asleep. [3] At the right dose, it acts as a strong muscle relaxant and induces sleepiness - ideal for falling asleep, right?
However, it's essential to know that consuming CBD oil is not the same as smoking a joint! It doesn't get you stoned – it just makes you calm and relaxed. By the way, when smoking a joint, it's often not the THC that calms you, but the CBD contained in it.
When CBD is taken orally shortly before going to bed, its effects typically start to kick in after about 20 minutes. Of course, it doesn't completely immobilize you, but rather helps you to relax and fall asleep, naturally. In this way, sleep disorders, which almost everyone suffers from more or less frequently these days, can be alleviated.
It's also worth mentioning that CBD actively relieves pain [4] and inflammation [5]. You might wonder what this has to do with sleep disorders?
A lot! Many people suffer from chronic diseases in the muscles and joints. The number one common disease is back pain. If not treated, it tends to be particularly noticeable when trying to fall asleep. CBD can be a real help if these complaints are the cause of insomnia. Why? It has pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects and can relieve chronic pain, including headaches.
Are There Any Side Effects?
CBD is a natural product and side effects are hardly expected. However, there are naturally very sensitive people who may react with slight dizziness or headaches. This usually doesn't last long and doesn't occur more frequently with prolonged use.
Unlike chemical sleeping pills, CBD oil has no addiction potential. However, as research is still in its early stages, it's not recommended for pregnant individuals and minors to consume CBD.
By the way, CBD does not get you high. The explanation is quite simple. The high is caused by THC, a component of the cannabis plant. Law dictates that the THC content for CBD products must be below 0.3%, otherwise, they would not be legally available!
For this reason, CBD oils are entirely legal to obtain!
Can There Be Interactions with Other Medications?
Interactions with other medications can occur, so simultaneous intake is generally not recommended. But what might this look like?
There are medications that interact with CBD. As a result, an increase or decrease in drowsiness may occur, as well as impairment of the effectiveness of the medication. In the best-case scenario, consult your doctor if you're already taking medication and unsure.
It's also known that CBD, in combination with other herbs used for sleep, can enhance drowsiness, such as St. John's Wort, lavender, or hops. Therefore, it's better to initially choose just one remedy!
CBD Products – What's Available on the Market?
There are several CBD products, and it can be hard to keep track. However, we can say upfront that CBD oil is one of the most popular forms of intake. It shows the fastest effect when placed under the tongue.
You can take CBD over a long period or only in acute situations when you feel very stressed and need some help falling asleep. When you take CBD is up to you. However, it makes sense to take it about 20 minutes before "going to bed" so that you can quickly settle down afterwards.
What CBD Dosage is Recommended for Sleep Disorders?
There are various ways to consume CBD. You can use it as a vaporizer or Vape Pen. The resulting vapor is simply inhaled.
The vaping method is also very popular as it is quickly absorbed by the body.
CBD is also available in tinctures. A few drops can easily be added to a drink. CBD in the form of capsules is ideal for daily use and offers an uncomplicated dosage for sleep problems. There are also foods like gummy bears or cookies with CBD. The packaging always indicates the CBD concentration.
As already mentioned, research is still in its early stages. However, it's already known that overdosing on CBD is virtually impossible. Of course, moderation in consumption is still crucial!
It's useful to keep a sleep diary. Vary a little with the CBD dosage, note down when you take CBD and your sleep behavior, and find out what dosage is right for you. Experience shows that a too-low dosage may not lead to the desired sleepiness, so it's worth experimenting a bit.
There are a few things to keep in mind for CBD to work optimally:
- Consistent intake to achieve maximum effect
- Find the right dosage through trial and error
- If you don't like the taste, try other variants
- Be open to the effects of CBD products
- The full effectiveness also depends on the motivation and attitude of each user.
Conclusion: What Does This Mean in Summary?
As you can see, there are many ways and variations to consume CBD to achieve a restful sleep. Current studies suggest a positive effect!
As with all other remedies and products, don't overdo it and find out individually what the right dosage is for you. When buying, make sure that the product actually contains the advertised active ingredient from the hemp plant. There's no question that the product should be of high quality - otherwise, what seems like a hot tip could turn out to be a pure waste of money if the effect is not there.
If you've already had experiences with CBD in relation to sleep disorders, we'd love to hear about it. Personal testimonials are valuable and help other users in their orientation. Here's to good sleep!
Sources
- [1] Scott Shannon, Nicole Lewis, Heather Lee, Shannon Hughes, Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series, Perm J. 2019; 23: 18-041. Published online 2019 Jan 7
- [2] Crippa et al. Neural basis of anxiolytic effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in generalized social anxiety disorder: a preliminary report. 2011, J Psychopharmacol
- [3] Shannon S, Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series, 2019, Perm J
- [4] Vučković S et al., Cannabinoids and Pain: New Insights From Old Molecules. 2018, Front Pharmacol
- [5] Wei Xiong et al., Cannabinoids suppress inflammatory and neuropathic pain by targeting α3 glycine receptors. 2012, J Exp Med