Is CBD a Safe and Effective Sleep Aid?

Introduction

Do you sleep well at night? If not, you are not alone. Modern-day living comes with challenges triggering stress and tension. It can affect the sleep patterns of people.

Getting sufficient sleep every day is significant to maintain good health. Combining it with a balanced diet and regular exercise, you can ensure your well-being.

When getting adequate sleep becomes a challenge, people turn to medications. Instead, turning to holistic options such as CBD supplements may help you sleep.

Are you interested in learning more? Read ahead.

The Importance Of Good Sleep

Before going into the potential benefits of CBD in inducing sleep, you must know the importance of good sleep.

Experts believe an adult has to sleep for at least seven to nine hours every night. It is beneficial for physical and mental health. Good sleep can make you feel energized and helps you focus better.

Resting well at night can also contribute to the following:

• Grow and repair muscles
• Memory Formation
• Prevent sickness

According to a survey, many people have reported failure to get the recommended hours of sleep. It may lead to sleep debt. You have diverse solutions available to improve sleep and overcome sleep debt.

In recent times, many people have commented on the effectiveness of CBD oil for sleep. Does it work? Let’s take a look.

Can CBD Work As A Sleep Aid?

CBD or cannabidiol is one of the derivatives of the cannabis plant. Many people use it to reduce their anxiety and address other health problems.

However, the evidence of the effectiveness of CBD remains inadequate. But, initial studies indicate CBD may have positive effects on sleep and other health concerns.

People have used the cannabis plant for centuries to manage health problems. Over the years, it became infamous as a recreational drug resulting in its ban.

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (Cannabidiol) are the two significant compounds in the cannabis plant that may impact your brain. Unlike THC, CBD may not impair cognitive functions.

Many people use CBD for different reasons, including lowering anxiety, pain, and seizures. According to the Consumer Reports survey, a small percentage of people have reported trying CBD for sleeping. The majority of them have reported CBD has worked for them.

How Can CBD Help With Sleep Disorders?

Research on the effects of CBD on sleep remains at an infant stage. But, people suffering from sleeping problems due to chronic pain have observed better results after using CBD.

Though, it remains unclear if the patients who participated in the study slept better due to pain relief or because CBD directly impacts sleep. A preliminary study of CBD and sleep disorders indicates positive outcomes.

But, not everyone experiences the same results with CBD use. CBD use and good sleep may depend on the dosage used.

Studies point that the use of CBD in low doses may offer stimulating effects. Using it in high doses may offer sedative effects. Scientists believe the discrepancies in the experiences occur due to the method of CBD administration and its dosage.

Let’s take a look at some of the ways CBD can help you get a better night’s sleep.

1. CBD Can Control Anxiety

Feeling stressed can cause nervousness or anxiety. Anxiety can contribute to sleepless nights due to insufficient sleep, poor quality sleep, and sleep disorders.

Taking CBD supplements may calm the nervous system. Early research on CBD indicates the possible effectiveness in treating anxiety-related problems.

According to one study, nearly 80% of people who used CBD reported low anxiety levels within a month. More than 65% of the participants of the study reported improved sleep though it fluctuated.

2. CBD May Help Deal With Insomnia

People suffering from conditions such as insomnia find it difficult to fall asleep at night or remain asleep the entire night.

Lack of proper sleep at night can affect wakefulness during the day, focus during the daytime, and mood. Due to suffering from poor sleep for a long time, affect people can develop anxiety. Anxiety can increase sleeplessness at night.

The use of CBD has shown great potential in handling anxiety positively. CBD may also reduce stress-triggered due to insomnia. A new pilot study underway may offer more insight on the effects of CBD in people with insomnia.

3. CBD Can Treat REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

REM sleep behavior disorder can affect good quality sleep. It is the disorder triggering violent hand and leg movements in affected people due to enacting vivid, unpleasant dreams.

Older patients with neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease tend to suffer from the condition.

According to a limited study conducted in Parkinson’s disease patients, CBD may have helped the patients manage REM behavior disorder symptoms. Patients taking CBD experienced the symptoms linked to the condition zero to one time a week.

While this initial study looks promising, more studies can only discover the potential of CBD as a possible treatment for REM sleep behavior disorder.

4. CBD May Help Manage Excessive Daytime Sleepiness Disorder

Excessive daytime sleepiness disorder refers to the condition affecting a person’s ability to stay awake during the day. Also called hypersomnia, it makes a person fall asleep at any time during the day.

CBD may offer help to such people while staying awake during the day and sleeping at night. Initial research on animals indicates that CBD may work as a wake-inducing drug.

However, it requires further studies to determine the exact dosage and method to take CBD to sleep well at night and remain awake during the day.

A Word Of Caution

CBD can interact with other medicines you take for underlying health issues. Also, CBD may affect the liver’s ability to break some medications you take.

In some cases, CBD may interact with supplements or herbs you take. It can make you too sleepy and unfocused. Therefore, before you start using any CBD-infused product, you need to consult an expert.

Inform your doctor about any medications, supplements, or herbs you take. It will help the doctor determine if you face any risk due to taking CBD.

Finally, ask an expert to help you determine the accurate dose of CBD needed for seeing results, depending on your health.

Conclusion

Insomnia seems like a common problem among people worldwide. Even minor sleep deficiencies can impact people’s ability to function clearly. Long-term sleep deprivation can cause serious health problems that can affect the quality of life.

Most people reach for sleeping pills to help them sleep. But, prescription sleeping pills can trigger severe side effects. People searching for natural options to sleep may consider the use of CBD supplements.

At the end of the day, finding the accurate dose and the effective method to take CBD may help you take a trip to dreamland with ease.

Have you tried CBD for sleep? Did it work for you? Let us know in the comments below…