Cannabinoids, including CBD seem to be useful in almost every walk of our life. Recently, it was found to have sleep-inducing effects. Imagine using CBD for sleep; that is like a dream come true for all the insomniacs and people who struggle with obstructive sleep apnea, bruxism, and others. So, let us find out more about this!
How CBD Might Influence Sleep
Using CBD for sleep might sound like just the perfect idea for all the insomniacs for sure. But, the real question here is how is it going to help you get your sleep back? What is the mysterious force present in CBD that is putting everyone to sleep?
Although limited, there has been research done on the topic that states that it increases the overall percentage of sleep cycles in rats. This research is yet to be done on humans, but it somehow proves the point that CBD helps in decreasing the REM sleep period. [1]
The REM sleep period is part of the sleep cycle when the brain is the most active, and its activity could be compared to that of an active, awake brain.
Moreover, the psychotropic and calming effects of CBD help people with certain sleep-related disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-related nightmares and restless leg syndrome. In both these conditions, the affected people are unable to get a good night’s sleep, owing to their restlessness and anxiety. [2]
It was also found through another research that short-term usage of CBD for sleep could result in many beneficial impacts on the sleep cycle, such as increased total sleep time, enhanced sleep consolidation, and increased slow wave frequency during sleep. [3]
Similarly, the long-term usage of CBD for sleep could reverse the above-mentioned effects. This further explains that the long-term or consistent use of CBD for sleep might not work out the way in which it is supposed to. [4]
So, if you want to make the most of the sleep-inducing and sleep-prolonging effects of CBD, then it is best if you opt to do it in intervals or for a short time only. There is no research available yet that could explain why CBD for sleep is not a good idea when used in the long run.
The Benefits of CBD for Sleep
We just learned how CBD is indeed helpful in bringing your long-lost sleep back to you. But, are there any other potential benefits of using it for the same purpose? Turns out, there indeed are some advantages to using CBD that impact the sleep cycle in different ways.
Here is an overview of some of the potential benefits that you could get from using CBD for sleep:
- CBD helps regulate the circadian rhythm of the body. It helps with going to bed early and with a proper, well-rested sleep, the person can easily wake up fresh in the morning.
- CBD acts on the hypothalamus to reduce or alleviate stress. This is particularly important in people who are anxious, stressed out, or tired because of their routines as less stress would ultimately lead to a deep and peaceful slumber. [5]
- CBD can also act as a sleep-suppressing agent in people who experience excessive daytime tiredness. Undoubtedly, this sleepiness results either from staying up awake till late hours or not having a proper sleep cycle. However, when such people use CBD, they can soon experience these effects to tone down. [6]
- For people who are unable to sleep because of pain or some other condition that causes them to be restless, CBD can come to the rescue like always. In such people, the pain relief and stress-reducing properties of CBD could help them relax and thus, fall asleep.
- People with Parkinson’s disease experience several sleep-related problems during different stages of their disease. For patients who suffer from REM sleep behavior disorder, CBD could actually help resolve and reduce the intensity of its symptoms. [7]
All in all, it could be seen that CBD indeed possesses the potential for helping people deal with their different types of sleep-related struggles. However, it is best to use it in the prescribed limited amount to prevent any adverse events.
Considerations and Cautions Before Using CBD for Sleep
So far, it has been established that CBD is proving to be nothing but helpful for all insomniacs and anxious people. But since there are good and bad sides to everything, the same is the case with the usage of CBD as well.
If used recklessly or without any monitored dosing, it is very likely that you may experience side effects or adverse reactions due to CBD.
Some of the most commonly experienced side effects from excess CBD usage are as follows:
- If people use CBD for a long time, then irrespective of the reason for which it is being used, people could experience strong wakefulness and alertness in their daily lives. Although it might seem to be more of an advantage, it also means that the person would be on an unexplained ‘high’ for as long as the effects last.
- The long-term usage of CBD can also cause your blood pressure levels to drop significantly. This is indeed a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention. [8]
- When used inappropriately, CBD could have a very negative impact on your life. It could make you lazy and inactive. You may also become predisposed to develop several diseases. With this condition, you would probably get socially distant from your friends and family, and thus, would feel left out and alone.
Therefore, it is best if CBD is used within a set limit and any side effects or anything that you notice ‘out of the blue’ is reported immediately to your nearest physician.
Current Research and Findings About CBD for Sleep
As already mentioned earlier, there has been only a small amount of limited research done on the topic of CBD and its impact on the sleep of humans.
However, the same studies have been carried out on a few animals, especially rats. Even in rats, these studies were found to be in favor of using CBD for inducing sleep in certain conditions. [9]
So far, the current research shows that for people suffering from insomnia, CBD could be used as a ‘sleeping aid’. The mechanism with which it acts to induce sleep is not exactly known, but it is said that CBD imparts its effects by working on several sites at the same time.
It works on the hypothalamus to reduce the increased levels of stress on the brain. When stress gets decreased, so does the urge to stay awake and worry over something that may or may not be in control of the person. Subsequently, a person may start experiencing sleepiness to take over their senses before they finally doze off for the better.
Once asleep, the effect of CBD helps to maintain the sound quality of sleep by reducing the REM period (the period when the brain is awake, technically). It also helps to regulate your sleep cycle so that you do not experience any withdrawal sleepiness or daytime drowsiness even if you stop taking CBD after some time. [10]
It is expected that with more research, we would finally become able to learn how exactly CBD works to bring sleep into the life of all insomniacs for the better!
Can CBD Really Help You Sleep?
Is it that great of an unsolved mystery yet? From the research studies and material shared above, it is now safe to assume that CBD indeed has an important role in regulating and influencing the quality of sleep in individuals.
If it is used in a certain limited amount, then it is evident that people could very easily make the most of its beneficial impacts.
However, it is always best to test and see if the use of CBD even suits you as well. This way, you can continue to use it in the prescribed amounts without any fear of having to experience any side effects or adverse reactions.
In short, you can always count on CBD to put you into a deeply relaxed and peaceful slumber. What is more than that is that it could also help you relax and unwind by keeping your nightmares and other disturbing dreams at bay. Still unconvinced? How about you try and see that for yourself?
FAQs
When To Take CBD Oil For Sleep?
The ideal time to take CBD Oil for sleep is at least an hour before your bedtime, although many people prefer taking it later as well, around 20-30 minutes prior to their bedtime.
You can easily make it a part of your bedtime routine as well, and couple it up with a relaxing, warm bath and some reading or soothing music to unwind after a rough and tough, tiring day.
Once you have taken CBD Oil, it might take from about 30 minutes to an hour for its effects to start showing, although this greatly varies from person to person.
How Much CBD Can You Take To Sleep Better?
To be very frank, the amount of CBD that is required to experience its effects varies from person to person. Some people can benefit only from a very small quantity of CBD, whereas others might require twice as much. Therefore, it is a very subjective question to ask.
From a very practical point of view, however, it is best to keep your daily dose of CBD anywhere between 25 mg to 1500 mg. This way, you could easily get to enjoy the benefits while staying within the safety limits.
For more specific uses, it is also recommended to use CBD and Melatonin in a 2:1 ratio for inducing a much more peaceful and time-regulated sleep.
How To Use CBD Oil For Sleep?
In case you are opting to use CBD Oil for sleep, it is best to use only a small amount (up to a few drops) only. It is best seen to work when these few drops are placed under the tongue of a person and left there for some time.
Usually, substances get absorbed very quickly and form under the tongue and after that, it only takes a small amount of time for the effects to start showing. The same is the case with CBD Oil. Within 20 to 30 minutes, you could easily start to feel drowsy and sleep already.
Are CBD Gummies Better Than CBD Oil For Sleep?
When it comes to opting for CBD gummies, it is important to know that they come with different compositions of CBD contained in them. This means that different CBD gummies have different powers to act upon the human body.
When it comes to comparing CBD gummies and CBD oil, both have excellent results when it comes to using them for their specific uses.
However, when it comes to selecting between the two, it is seen that many people are more comfortable with having CBD gummies over CBD Oil because of their taste preference. CBD Oil might be inconvenient to use and therefore, people usually prefer using CBD gummies.
What Are The Best CBD Products For Sleep?
As people are getting to know about the limitless potential of CBD, it is no big news now that people are getting introduced to the various new products and variants of CBD.
Depending upon their preferred choice as well as the use for which it is required, there are several options to choose from, including:
● CBD Lotions
● CBD Cooling Creams
● CBD Oils
● CBD Gummies
● CBD Bath Bombs
● CBD Drops
● CBD Capsules.
All the above-mentioned products of CBD are used for sleep as well. When used like their normal counterparts, they could help with relaxing the mind and body of a person as well as help people fight their insomnia.
Related:
References:
- Kaul, M., Zee, P. C., & Sahni, A. S. (2021). Effects of cannabinoids on sleep and their therapeutic potential for sleep disorders. Neurotherapeutics, 18, 217-227. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8116407//
- Abuhasira, R., Shbiro, L., & Landschaft, Y. (2018). Medical use of cannabis and cannabinoids containing products–Regulations in Europe and North America. European journal of internal medicine, 49, 2-6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29329891/
- Fujimori, M., & Himwich, H. E. (1973). Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and the sleep-wakefulness cycle in rabbits. Physiology & behavior, 11(3), 291-295. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4355439/
- Kesner, A. J., & Lovinger, D. M. (2020). Cannabinoids, endocannabinoids and sleep. Frontiers in molecular neuroscience, 13, 125. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32774241/
- Henson, J. D., Vitetta, L., Quezada, M., & Hall, S. (2021). Enhancing endocannabinoid control of stress with cannabidiol. Journal of clinical medicine, 10(24), 5852. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8704602/
- Kaul, M., Zee, P. C., & Sahni, A. S. (2021). Effects of cannabinoids on sleep and their therapeutic potential for sleep disorders. Neurotherapeutics, 18, 217-227. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8116407/
- de Almeida, C. M., Brito, M. M., Bosaipo, N. B., Pimentel, A. V., Tumas, V., Zuardi, A. W., … & Eckeli, A. L. (2021). Cannabidiol for rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder. Movement Disorders, 36(7), 1711-1715. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33754375/
- Jadoon, K. A., Tan, G. D., & O’Sullivan, S. E. (2017). A single dose of cannabidiol reduces blood pressure in healthy volunteers in a randomized crossover study. JCI insight, 2(12). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5470879/
- Monti, J. M. (1977). Hypnoticlike effects of cannabidiol in the rat. Psychopharmacology, 55(3), 263-265. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/414288/
- Kolla, B. P., Hayes, L., Cox, C., Eatwell, L., Deyo-Svendsen, M., & Mansukhani, M. P. (2022). The effects of cannabinoids on sleep. Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 13, 21501319221081277. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9036386/
Andleeb Asghar - Pharmacist
Andleeb Asghar holds a “Pharm-D” degree from Lahore College for Women University, Lahore. She is an official Registered Pharmacist (RPh) in Punjab, Pakistan. She has also got a “Master of Philosophy” degree from the University of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Lahore. Andleeb has worked in various practice settings as a clinical Pharmacist and has a wide range of experience. She has been cited in Healthline and Telehealth for her expertise. She has also served as a distinguished guest speaker at various local hospitals and high-profile organizations. She has been writing Cannabinoid & Marijuana related content for the past five years for different reputable companies. She is passionate about serving others by crafting information and helpful pieces for her readers.
