When you were young, did you have problems sleeping?  Falling asleep and getting enough hours of rest every night is a challenge for many people. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that almost 70 million adults in the United States have ongoing sleep issues. So you are not alone if quality sleep is a problem for you.  

Sleep disruptions and insomnia are more than an inconvenience, leaving you feeling irritable and tired.  When you do not get enough sleep, it can have a big impact on your health.  Everything from your ability to focus, concentrate and remember things to your immune system can be damaged by poor sleep.  And when insomnia becomes chronic (or long-term) it can increase your risk of developing many types of chronic diseases.

There are a variety of approaches that people may use to correct sleep problems. Talking to your primary care provider or physician is the best place to start.  Insomnia can be related to other health conditions or prescription medications you may be taking.  And one of the things you can talk to your doctor about is cannabidiol (CBD) supplements for sleep.  Because for some people, CBD combined with natural extracts can be very effective.

Understanding What is Causing Your Sleep Problem

If you haven’t had an opportunity to talk to your doctor about your sleep problems, you can start to think about what might be causing them.  Some of the biggest obstacles to getting a good night of sleep are daily habits or activities that can be changed to address insomnia.

The Mayo Clinic states that the following mental health conditions can contribute to chronic insomnia:

• Prescription medications can interfere with your sleep-wake cycle.
• Going to sleep with a full stomach (eating a large meal before bed).
• Chronic dehydration.
• Smartphone, computer, tablet, or television use immediately before bed.
• Vigorous exercise before bed.
• Environmental influences, such as loud noises or an uncomfortable bed.
• Medical issues, such as restless leg syndrome and chronic pain.
• Coffee, energy drinks, or other caffeinated beverages (especially when consumed late in the day).
• Stress or anxiety.

Resetting your circadian rhythm or your body’s natural sleep cycle can take time.  But many people are successful when they address lifestyle habits that may interfere with their sleep quality.  If you feel that your sleep is being disrupted by inflammation (pain) or restlessness from anxiety symptoms, cannabidiol (CBD) may help.  Particularly products that are formulated specifically to help you sleep better.

What is CBD?

Chances are you are familiar with cannabidiol (CBD) products.  Since the 2018 Farm Bill made hemp-derived products federally legal, the number of CBD products available has increased exponentially.  While the FDA hasn’t officially cleared cannabidiol as a supplement, it has started to approve cannabinoid-based prescription medications.  Right now, however, CBD products are not regulated by the FDA, which means consumers need to be careful.  You should research cannabidiol products and brands before you buy.

Cannabidiol is present in cannabis plants but is found in higher concentrations in hemp.  Both hemp and cannabis are in the same plant family when it comes to genetics.  But there are some big differences between hemp and cannabis. The first major difference is psychoactivity.  Hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) will not make you impaired. You cannot “get high” from taking CBD because legal cannabidiol has less than 0.30% THC content. But cannabidiol can provide a number of wellness benefits thanks to secondary cannabinoids.

Did you know that CBD is a relatively new thing? In fact, cannabidiol was discovered in 1940, when it was classified with 113 other cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant.  But there is historical evidence that early civilizations used hemp for medicinal purposes.  Today, you can buy hemp seed oil, hemp milk, hemp protein powder, hemp cheese, and wellness supplements.  You can even find clothing and accessories made out of hemp fibers.

Cannabidiol is extracted from industrial hemp plants. In the process, some THC is also extracted with CBD, but in quantities too low to create impairment. This makes CBD ideal for people who want to explore cannabidiol for pain or anxiety relief.  Combined with natural herbal extracts, CBD tinctures and gummies have become popular natural supplements before bedtime to promote quality sleep.

How Does CBD Benefit Sleep?

Using CBD to treat the underlying issues causing your persistent insomnia may be helpful. While CBD research is still in its early stages, several studies have found it effective in treating anxiety. One 2019 research study looked at the potential for CBD to lessen anxiety and enhance sleep. In the study, there were 72 participants, of whom 47 had anxiety and 25 had sleep problems. Each day, the participants received 25 mg of CBD in capsules. Sixty-six percent of patients reported improved sleep, and 79.2 percent said they experienced less severe symptoms of anxiety within the first month. 

According to another study, taking 160 mg of CBD before bedtime lengthened sleep compared to taking a placebo. The researchers also determined that the placebo, 5 mg of the anti-insomnia medication nitrazepam, 40, 80, and 160 mg of CBD all assisted in promoting sleep in the patients. Yet another recent study on CBD and sleep enlisted 103 volunteers who struggled with anxiety or restless nights. The researchers examined the effects of CBD mixed with various prescribed drugs. The dosages of CBD varied from 25 to 175 mg. According to the researchers, the most successful dose for treating anxiety was 25 mg, but greater doses helped treat sleep problems.

More research is needed to understand why cannabidiol (CBD) works well for some people.  And why many Americans choose a CBD supplement to help them fall asleep (and stay asleep) when they struggle with insomnia.  For decades research into all cannabinoids (including CBD) was difficult.  Today, increasing global studies will eventually provide more details on how cannabidiol works and why it can help some people with pain, anxiety, and insomnia.

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness Disorder and CBD

Regular daytime hours are difficult for people with excessive daytime sleepiness to stay awake. CBD may offer a way to remain awake and get up on time. Animal studies have shown that CBD has wake-inducing properties. However, according to several other studies, CBD has sedative properties. Some people find that cannabidiol (CBD) is very effective at reducing symptoms of anxiety.  That can make it easier to relax and fall asleep. 

Cannabidiol supplements come in different concentrations as well.  Therefore, if you are planning to purchase CBD to use before bed, start with half the recommended dose for a week.  Then scale up to the full serving size.  This will help you determine if cannabidiol works for you.

Should You Talk to Your Doctor Before Taking CBD for Sleep?

Although experts agree that CBD is a low-risk treatment and that there are very few instances of drug interactions with CBD products. However, you must consult your doctor before beginning a CBD regimen. It may raise liver enzyme levels in persons who use liver-metabolized drugs. CBD can also interact and react with other prescription drugs and reduce the performance of the liver in metabolizing medications.  Statins, some anti-hypertensive drugs, anti-inflammatories (including naproxen and ibuprofen), and blood thinners are just a few examples of these drugs.

At DocCBD, we recommend having a discussion with your physician before you start taking any new dietary or wellness supplement.  It is an important safety check with your practitioner to make sure that CBD is the right (and safe) choice to address your chronic insomnia.

The Bottom Line – How Does DocCBD Help?

At DocCBD, you can find an extensive range of premium-quality CBD products that may help you naturally address sleep issues.  Combining organic herbal extracts, our most popular product is the SLEEP gummy.  Our SLEEP gummy contains 20 mg of CBN and 10 mg of CBG and contains L-Theanine, Magnesium, and Melatonin. 

Our CBD products are formulated to optimize bioavailability, which means more of the potential benefits of cannabinoids can be absorbed into your body.  Try our SLEEP gummies and see if it helps you “retrain your brain” to get better sleep every night. 

 

Sources:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/cbd-and-sleep#Summary

https://www.forbes.com/health/body/cbd-for-sleep/

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/30/well/live/does-cbd-help-with-insomnia.html

https://www.healthline.com/health/cbd-for-insomnia#how-to-use

https://www.healthline.com/health/your-cbd-guide

https://www.healthline.com/health/CBD-reasons-it-doesnt-work

https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-aids/cbd-for-sleep