Do you think CBD can help you sleep better?

Medical news and articles state that getting a good night’s sleep is one of the most essential yet overlooked necessities in one’s life – so, what could help one sleep better?

Having a regular sleep schedule has benefits that people should start taking note of and consider. Here, guest author Alan Wood, founder of Weekend Gardener, explores the topic of how CBD could help you sleep better.

For those suffering from insomnia, extracted cannabis oil is now increasingly becoming popular all over the world. The main component, CBD, is also responsible for treating patients with anxiety, PTSD, and other stress-related disorder that contributes to lack of sleep. To know more about cannabis or cannabis oil, feel free to check articles from WG.

If you’ve considered trying CBD to address sleeping problems, then you’re in luck. This article sheds light on the effects that CBD has in sleeping, as well as different forms you can intake.

The benefits of using CBD

Cannabidiol (CBD) directly affects a person’s endocannabinoid system, which plays a significant role in the regulation of the following:

• Fertility;
• Memory;
• Sleep;
• Appetite; and
• Functions of the liver and reproductive system.

The cannabis Sativa plant has two known components: cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The latter gives users a ‘high’ due to its psychoactive properties. Unlike THC, cannabidiol is not psychoactive. Instead, users prefer using CBD because of the different health benefits such as:

• Reduction of pain and inflammation caused by arthritis;
• The possible shrinkage of cancerous tumours;
• A reduction in cancer-related pain;
• The prevention of migraines and headaches; and
• Relief from chronic pain.

Although the number of research is only starting to rise, the results of CBD usage show a promising future for other health issues such as, according to the New England Journal of Medicine, epilepsy and possibly, helping a patient sleep better.

The relationship between CBD and sleep

There are several reasons why people have a hard time sleeping. It may be due to mental issues (depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder), certain medicines, continuous intake of caffeinated drinks, and outside factors such as noise.

In some cases, episodes of insomnia may be due to anxiety, as well. Although CBD research still has a long way to go, research suggests that it can help treat anxiety, which contributes to sleeplessness. This study conducted by Scott Shannon, MD et al. involved 72 patients. 47 subjects had anxiety, while the remaining 25 experienced a difficult time sleeping. The results showed that a 25mg CBD pill ingestion on the first month showed the following:

1. 79.2% of all the participants said that CBD resulted in lower levels of anxiety; and
2. 66.7% of all the participants said that CBD gave them a better sleep experience.

Another factor that can contribute to sleeplessness is pain, in any form. A study conducted by Frontiers in Pharmacology reported that CBD helps decrease pain, which ultimately reduces the discomfort felt when sleeping.

In another research study conducted in 2014 by researchers from University of São Paulo, Brazil, the subjects had Parkinson’s Disease, which involved a disorder in the rapid eye movement (REM) during sleep. The patients had REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) wherein they act out in response to their dreams and have a hard time sleeping. With CBD usage, the symptoms dramatically improved. In line with the study conducted with RBD, another research published in Springer Nature concluded that CBD intake might help treat the disorder, as well as daytime sleepiness.

Different forms of CBD you can use

Vaping is not the only way you can incorporate CBD in your system. Other ways give the same results, although there may be differences in the amount of time it takes before the product takes effect. Before you purchase any CBD products, ensure that the products are of organic CBD, lab-tested, and US-grown.

Full Or Broad-Spectrum CBD Oil

This form has the highest cannabinoid component out of all. The broad-spectrum CBD oil doesn’t undergo different processes, and you take it as is, which helps preserve a compound called terpenes. Terpenes contribute to the smell and taste of CBD while having its health benefits.

Edible CBDs

Different manufacturers sell edible CBD in the form of gummies, truffles, mints, or gum. This form is the most common among geriatric patients, as vaping is not advisable. However, take note that a study published in the journal PubMed Central® (PMC) of The National Center for Biotechnology Information, showed that there is such a thing called ‘the first-pass effect’ wherein the CBD will first pass through the liver and then to the GIT. This process may take up to two hours, with a 20-30% absorption.

Sublingual CBDs

Sublingual products are an excellent alternative to edibles if you want to skip the sugar and preservatives. All you have to do is place the product under the tongue. These sublingual CBDs have a faster effect overall. Examples are as follows:

• Oral sprays;
• Oil forms; and
• Lozenges.

Things to remember once you decide to use CBD:

• Always start with the lowest dose indicated on the label;
• If you wish to increase your dosage, consult your physician; and
• Don’t hesitate to mix CBD with your current medications and gradually increase the levels with your doctor’s supervision.

Further references

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4851925/
2. https://www.journalofsurgicalresearch.com/article/S0022-4804(18)30626-7/fulltext
3. https://www.jpsmjournal.com/article/S0885-3924(09)00787-8/fulltext
4. https://www.ean.org/amsterdam2017/fileadmin/user_upload/E-EAN_2017_-_Cannabinoids_in_migraine_-_FINAL.pdf
5. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2018.01259/full

Alan Wood
Guest Contributor
Founder
Weekend Gardener