Is Cannabidiol a Safe and Effective Sleep Aid?

Is Cannabidiol a Safe and Effective Sleep Aid?

Cannabidiol (CBD) has made waves for numerous reasons in recent years. From pain relief to general wellness, it’s become mainstream as a natural supplement option. Sleep is one area where CBD is really taking over, with more and more items on the market for sleep purposes.

Using CBD for sleep is easier than ever, thanks to specially designed products that contain added melatonin and more. Compared to some other sleep aids, it’s thought that CBD could have fewer side effects.

This article delves into the science behind these claims to find out whether you could really use CBD oil for sleep.

What Is CBD and Is It Safe?

CBD is one of the two primary compounds, called cannabinoids, in the cannabis plant. A few years ago, it was made legal on a federal level, providing that the manufacturers extract it from hemp. Legal cannabidiol products must be hemp-derived and contain less than 0.3% THC by dry weight.

Its origins have lots of people questioning whether it’s safe. Unlike its cousin, THC, CBD is non-intoxicating. In other words, it does not cause a high.

To the contrary, CBD has several potential benefits for human health. Most reported benefits are still in the trial phase, with several human clinical studies and more emerging all the time.

In 2017, the World Health Organization published a report on CBD, declaring that it’s generally safe and well-tolerated in humans. It acknowledged a lack of addictive tendencies and a short list of non-severe side effects, too.

Although CBD is safe, this doesn’t necessarily mean it has benefits. Can CBD oil for sleep really work?

Can CBD Work for Sleep?

As it turns out, CBD could have some positive impacts on sleep. However, the relationship may be quite complex.

Sleep itself is a complicated matter. There are many factors that could contribute to poor sleep, including:

• Low mood and anxiety, or other mental health disorders like PTSD
• Medications that interrupt the sleep-wake cycle
• Environmental factors, such as an uncomfortable mattress, too much light, and temperature
• Physical conditions like chronic pain or restless leg syndrome
• Diet, including caffeine and alcohol

Each individual is different, so even if CBD can help sleep, it doesn’t mean that it will work for everyone. To understand if CBD can help you, you need to know the cause of the problem.

For example, if an uncomfortable bed is affecting your sleeping, then CBD is unlikely to make a big difference.

That said, for numerous other issues, CBD could help. Just make sure you’re using the best CBD oil for sleep if you want to see positive results.

It May Regulate the Sleep-Wake Cycle

There’s some evidence that CBD could have a direct impact on the sleep-wake cycle. When taken in the morning, it could help to boost energy and focus. Meanwhile, in the evening, it could help the user to settle down and drift off to sleep.

The authors of this 2014 review  noted that CBD could promote wakefulness and reduce grogginess but concluded that they were unsure why this happened.

Further research in 2017 found that CBD could improve the symptoms of REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD). People with this condition act out their dreams, leading to poor quality sleep. In the review, CBD was also shown to help with excessive daytime sleepiness.

Since researchers can’t determine exactly why CBD helps poor sleep, more studies are required.

It Could Take Away Other Distractions

As mentioned above, there is a long list of potential causes of poor sleep. When using CBD oil for sleep, some users are aiming to get rid of certain other distractions.

Research has shown CBD to be a great anti-anxiety supplement, with anxiolytic effects that can help with social anxiety, PTSD, and more.

Furthermore, it could also assist with physical conditions, including chronic pain. However, lots of users aiming to alleviate pain opt for CBD topicals over sleep aids.

Using CBD for Sleep: Best Practice

There are lots of high-quality options when it comes to using CBD oil for sleep. Different brands create unique blends that best serve sleep. Many of them feature other natural sleep aids like lavender or chamomile, and a majority even feature melatonin.

Users can benefit from CBD for sleep by using tinctures, gummies, or capsules. There is an ideal option to suit everyone’s needs, so shop around to find what works best for you.

Above all, make sure you do thorough research and find a reputable brand with high-quality products.