If you struggle with getting enough restful sleep, you may be interested in holistic options that can help you wake up feeling refreshed. Many people are curious about using cannabidiol, or CBD, to support healthy sleep. Here, we'll explore more about CBD, including how it's different from THC, how CBD can help to improve your sleep, the pros and cons of using CBD, and more.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a compound that occurs naturally in the cannabis plant. CBD is non-psychoactive, which differentiates it from other compounds in cannabis, such as THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). CBD does not create a "high" effect like cannabis products that contain THC.
According to the World Health Organization, there is no evidence of health problems associated with the use of pure CBD, and there is no evidence that CBD has the potential for abuse or dependence.
CBD has long been studied for its medicinal properties, including its ability to reduce pain, anxiety, and inflammation. Research also shows that CBD may alleviate some symptoms associated with cancer and cancer treatment, including nausea and vomiting. CBD may also benefit heart health, and may help people who are living with certain sleep disorders, including sleep apnea, post-traumatic stress disorder-related nightmares, narcolepsy, insomnia, restless leg syndrome, and rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder.
How is CBD different from THC?
THC is the compound in cannabis that creates the "high" feeling associated with using marijuana. THC can cause a variety of mental and physical effects, including relaxation, euphoria, altered senses, an increase in appetite, sleepiness, and cognitive impairment.
Both THC and CBD interact with the body's endocannabinoid system (responsible for regulating physiological, emotional, and cognitive processing), but CBD does not produce a "high." Both cannabis products containing THC and CBD can be beneficial for a variety of health issues, but many prefer CBD products as they offer the health benefits of cannabis without the psychological and physical effects of THC.
How can CBD improve sleep?
Research on how CBD can lead to restful sleep is ongoing. Many health experts believe that the effect of CBD on the body's endocannabinoid system can lead to better sleep. It's thought that CBD may affect a variety of physical and mental factors that can affect sleep, including stress response, sleep-wake cycles, pain levels, and mood.
A study exploring how medicinal cannabis could help people with insomnia found that products with high levels of CBD provided greater sleep-related symptom relief than products with high levels of THC.
CBD can also help to lower levels of anxiety, which can make it easier to fall and stay asleep. In addition to helping to relieve anxiety symptoms, CBD can help with other mental health disorders, including social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
How do you take CBD?
If you're interested in trying CBD products to see if they can help you drift off to sleep at night, you may be wondering exactly how you ingest CBD.
You've got options, including:
- Oils: CBD oils are hugely popular. To use CBD oils, you simply place a few drops under your tongue, then hold them there for 30 to 60 seconds before swallowing. You can also add CBD drops to food or drinks, or apply CBD oils topically.
- Tinctures: CBD tinctures are created by soaking cannabis in alcohol. Tinctures are taken similarly to oils, and many find that the effects of tinctures are more fast-acting than other CBD delivery methods. Oils and tinctures are both sold in both droplet and spray forms.
- Topicals: In topical treatments, CBD is suspended in a lotion or ointment that's applied directly to the skin. These can be effective for a variety of conditions, including itching, eczema, and psoriasis. It's unlikely that topically-applied CBD will provide benefits for sleep (unless skin condition symptoms are what's keeping you awake).
- Capsules: It's easy to take a CBD capsule, but it will take more time to feel the result than it would if you ingested CBD in tincture or oil form.
- Gummies: Discreet and often delicious, CBD gummies can be a simple and fun way to enjoy CBD before you go to sleep. Be sure to pay attention to how many gummies you take, as it's possible that some gummies may contain trace amounts of THC that could add up if you go significantly beyond the recommended dosage.
- Lozenges: Pre-dosed lozenges can make it easy to keep track of how much CBD you're using. It can take some time for lozenges to take effect, much like a gummy.
Pros and cons of using CBD
Pros
- Most people tolerate CBD products well and don't experience any side effects
- Unlike products containing THC, CBD-only products don't create a high
- It's easy and discreet to use CBD
- CBD derived from hemp is legal across the United States
Cons
- Some people experience side effects, such as dry mouth, diarrhea, reduced appetite, drowsiness, and fatigue
- CBD can interact with some other medications, such as blood thinners
- Some CBD products may contain small amounts of THC
- CBD products aren't regulated by the FDA, so you may be getting a higher or lower dose of CBD than what's advertised on the package
Is CBD safe for nightly use?
Most people can safely use CBD as a sleep aid at a moderate dosage every night. As with any supplement or medication, it's a good idea to talk with your doctor before you begin using CBD products.
Alternatives to CBD
If you're struggling to get to sleep and aren't interested in CBD, you may be interested in trying these natural alternatives:
We're here to help you make the most of your sleep
A solid night of sleep sets you up for success in the day ahead. At Evidation, we're here to support all aspects of your mental and physical well-being, including helping you get healthy sleep.
When you download our free app, you'll be prompted to share the health data you're already tracking with us. You're in charge of your privacy at all times, and can choose to change the way you share your data, or stop sharing your data altogether. We'll use the data you choose to share to find connections and provide you with personalized, content-based insights to help you get the best sleep possible. Click here to learn more about how Evidation works and get started today.
