CBD for Sleep and Insomnia

Have you considered using CBD for better sleep or insomnia?  W.C. Fields joked, “The best cure for insomnia is to get a lot of sleep.” If only it were that easy. Sleep disorders affect approximately 50 to 70 million U.S. adults, according to the American Sleep Association, with insomnia most commonly reported.  

Lack of sleep, due to both acute and chronic insomnia, can have an adverse effect on a person’s health, performance, and environment. The causes of insomnia can vary from underlying medical conditions to lifestyle factors; therefore, the treatments for insomnia can also be diverse. CBD may help play a role in regulating certain body functions including those related to mood and sleep.  

What is CBD?

​CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a chemical compound of the hemp plant, cousin to the marijuana plant. Unlike the component (THC) that produces a “high”, CBD exhibits no known health related problems. It is commonly used to address anxiety and as an option for treating various forms of chronic pain.  

Symptoms such as anxiety and pain can often disturb a restful night of sleep. CBD can decrease these symptoms, potentially improving and regulating a person’s sleep/wake cycle. 

How can CBD help with sleep?

​Our bodies biologically make molecules called endocannabinoids, which are similar to cannabinoids, except they are produced by our bodies. In a nutshell, they are neurotransmitters that bind receptors and proteins throughout our central nervous system and other organs. Activating our endocannabinoid system in natural ways include Omega-3 fatty acids, exercise, reducing stress and CBD. Using CBD as a supplement to balance your body’s natural endocannabinoid system can have a positive impact on appetite, nerves and regulating healthy sleep patterns.  

One recent study published in the Journal Medicines, collecting data over a two-year period involving 409 people with insomnia, found decreased symptoms following treatment with the cannabis flower. Another study, published in the Permanente Journal, examined 72 adults with anxiety and poor sleep. Anxiety and sleep scores dramatically improved in just one month of using CBD in capsule form. Several smaller studies, according to the American Sleep Association, have also supported the use of CBD oil to improve sleep.  

​Another avenue that CBD can possibly help people with sleep issues could be that it can reduce higher cortisol levels. According to Medical News Today, people with insomnia may have higher levels of cortisol at night which can fuel insomnia and also increase the number of nighttime awakenings. Essentially, CBD may affect the release of cortisol, acting as a possible sedative. This coincides with anecdotal evidence of people expressing that CBD has a calming effect on their mood.  

​What type of CBD products can be used for sleep?

There are a myriad of CBD products available in today’s growing market. Consumers can find it in the form of oil to place under the tongue, in various edibles such as gummies and cookies, vapor form or tinctures. It is available in different concentrations, so it is important to start small and increase dosing as needed. Each individual will be divergent, just as the reasons a person may be struggling with sleep dysfunction will be different. Most clinical trials for CBD and sleep have involved giving the subjects anywhere between 25 mg to 1,500 mg of CBD per day.  

​An increasing number of studies have shown that CBD can help with both falling asleep and staying asleep. If you struggle with sleep issues, you deserve answers to bring you quality rest. Discuss the natural aide of CBD as an option with your health care provider and see if your solution to relaxation can be found in cannabidiol.