CBD For Sleep: Benefits And Treatment Against Insomnia
Can CBD help us to improve sleep?
Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is one of the cannabinoids present in the hemp plant. Cannabinoids interact with our endocannabinoid system and help our body maintain balance and stability or homeostasis. Here we will explain the advantages of CBD for sleep:
Unlike Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD is not psychoactive. Cannabidiol has a range of therapeutic properties, such as reducing seizures in people with epilepsy and relieving pain on various occasions.
Some research and anecdotal evidence suggests that CBD can also help us sleep well. In this topic we will talk about how to use the CBD for sleep.
What does research show about CBD for sleep?
To understand if CBD can improve our sleep, we first need to know what are the reasons why we cannot sleep well.
There are many things that can affect our sleep. Insomnia can be caused by any of the following reasons:
- Medication that can disrupt our sleep cycle
- Mental health disorders, such as anxiety, post-traumatic disorders, and depression.
- Physical conditions, such as chronic pain in the legs syndrome.
- Environmental factors, such as noise or an uncomfortable bed.
- Caffeine, especially when consumed late.
If your Insomnia is caused by external factors or related conditions, CBD can help treat these causes of Insomnia.
The investigations on the CBD for Insomnia are still in an early stage, but there is some research that has shown the power of CBD in the treatment of anxiety and insomnia.
In 2019, a test was carried out to see if CBD can improve sleep and reduce anxiety. 72 people participated in the study, 47 with anxiety and 25 with sleep problems. The participants took 25mg. of CBD in capsules per day. In the first month, 79.2% of patients reported much lower anxiety levels and 66.7% confirmed improvements in their sleep cycle.
The pain can also cause trouble sleeping. On the frontiers of Pharmacology they have noted that there is a fair amount of evidence to support the claim that CBD relieves pain. Also Grogginess, another symptom of Insomnia can also be treated with CBD.
How does CBD work to improve sleep?
Studies that conclude that CBD can improve sleep cannot always say why this is the case. Most of the studies mentioned above emphasize that we need more research on CBD before we fully understand how it affects our sleep.
However, as mentioned above, many researchers say that CBD improves sleep because it addresses the root causes of insomnia.
Anecdotally, people who use CBD report an increased ease of falling asleep and a more restful sleep. One possible reason for this could be that CBD inhibits adenosine reuptake.
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) breaks down as your brain burns carbohydrates for energy, and adenosine gradually builds up in the brain. Increased adenosine binding to neurons inhibits neurotransmitter release, which slows brain activity, helps you feel calmer, and induces sleep. Your body metabolizes adenosine while you sleep, and some time later, low concentrations of adenosine help you wake up and the process starts all over again.
By binding to the same receptors that adenosine would bind to, CBD can inhibit the reuptake of adenosine, helping it build up faster and making you feel drowsy sooner. CBD can also have a powerful anti-anxiety effect for some people, which can help them fall asleep and have more restful sleep.
As more research is done on CBD, we will learn more about why and how it can help us sleep.
How to use CBD for sleep?
There are several ways to use CBD for sleep:
- Vaporizers
- CBD Cannabidiol Oils
- Pills and Capsules
- Gummies and chewing gum
The dose of CBD for sleep you use and how long you take it will depend on several factors. Your weight, body fat, and the nature of your sleep problems will affect how CBD works. What works for some people may not work for others.
Most of the clinical trials on CBD and sleep have involved giving subjects between 25mg and 150mg of CBD per day. It's best to start with a low dose and gradually increase it until you find the right one for you.
In much of the research on the CBD:, anxiety and sleep it has been noted that many patients do not notice an immediate difference. The 2019 study mentioned above noted that it took about a month before subjects noticed a difference. Be patient and remember that you are unlikely to get them right away.
Is CBD safe for our health?
Since the FDA does not regulate CBD products in the same way that it regulates drugs or dietary supplements, companies sometimes mislabel or misrepresent their products. That means it's especially important to do your own research and find a quality CBD product. Before buying CBD from a company, research their history. Avoid companies with a history of mislabeling CBD and stick to CBD that has been tested by third parties.
