Does CBD Relieve Stress and Help Improve Sleep?

While getting a good night’s sleep is all you need for relieving stress, but if that isn’t working, you need something more. If you’re feeling insomniac or having chronic issues with sleep, consider using CBD oil to help you feel rested.

Many studies suggest the compound of the Cannabis Sativa plant,  used in CBD oil, fights anxiety and stress that leads to sleep deprivation.

That raises another question – Is CBD a safe remedy for sleeping disorders? The experts at Herbonaut present a detailed analysis of CBD oil for sleep.

Let’s dig in to know more.  

Research on the Matter

Since the uptick in the popularity of CBD or cannabinoids, many clinical studies are looking at its potential benefits. There’s much evidence on the calming effects of this compound on the central nervous system.

But, before we move on to the benefits of CBD for insomnia, let’s see if it truly addresses the underlying causes. Sleep deprivation or insomnia can happen due to:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Chronic pain
• Medications
• Caffeine
• A lack of a comfortable sleeping environment.

A study of 72 patients, including 47 people with anxiety and 25 with sleeping disorders, revealed that after ingestion of a 25 mg pill daily for one month:

• 79.2% of the respondents confirmed a low level of anxiety in the first month
• 66.7% reported better sleep after consuming CBD pills in the same period

Another research says that CBD can alter your sleep patterns, as well. The non-psychotic compound of cannabis can reduce the effects of REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD). The study on four patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease indicates that CBD can reduce RBD symptoms without any potential side effects. 

By soothing the chronic pain, CBD can induce better sleep. It creates analgesia by activating CB1/CB2 receptors, G protein-coupled receptors or GPCR 55, GPCR18, and 5-HT receptors.  

The Science Behind CBD and Sleep

CBD manages the endocannabinoid system in your body. Since this system handles several bodily functions, including sleep, it’s essential to maintain it well. That’s what CBD does.

The endocannabinoid system has a network of CB1 and CB2 receptors. These receptors run through the central nervous system and brain. Cannabinoids in CBD oil attach to these receptors. As a result, it affects functions like sleep/wake cycles, anxiety, appetite, and mood. 

Apart from cannabinoids, Terpenes in the high-CBD strains also contribute to a better sleep cycle. Since they are aromatic compounds with sedative effects, terpenes like Myrcene can induce sleep improvement.

One study involving a young girl of 10 years with PTSD and poor sleep showed the impact of CBD oil on the sleeping pattern. With a trial of 25 mg of supplements at bedtime and 6-12 mg of sublingual sprays in the daytime, the sleep quality of the patient improved in five months.

Impact of CBD on the Duration of Sleep 

There’s ample research data showing the effects of CBD not only on improving sleep quality but also the sleep duration. Studies suggest that higher doses of this compound allow mental sedation.

A crossover clinical trial involving 160 mg of CBD with placebo and 5 mg of nitrazepam administered to 15 insomniac patients reveals interesting results. It shows that higher doses of CBD increased the sleep duration considerably with reduced dream recall.   

A study in Medicines says that cannabinoids decrease insomnia. The study involved 490 insomniac people with varying symptoms. Each given cannabis flower under different combustion methods like a pipe, joint, or vaping over 1056 sessions.

The results of this study say that overall symptom relief was better for patients who ingested strains having higher levels of CBD and low THC.

What Are the Best Methods to Use CBD for Sleep?

CBD comes from the hemp or marijuana plant. But, they differ in terms of cultivation and THC content. THC or Tetrahydrocannabinol is a psychoactive compound that causes the ‘high’.

Hemp is a variety of cannabis Sativa strains with the lowest level of THC compound and high amounts of cannabidiol (CBD).  For medicinal purposes, you need hemp-derived CBD oil with a THC content of less than 0.3%.

Select the right type of CBD product to improve your sleep. You can either place the oil directly under your tongue or ingest it in these ways.

The fastest way to consume the compound is vaping. But, it will help if you use the best vaping gear and follow caution when infusing it. You may add tinctures to beverages or consume edibles like CBD gummies, cookies, and cakes. One specifically prefers using CBD gummies that can just be chewed on before taking the night’s sleep. Here is Herbonaut’s list of highly-rated CBD gummies that you might want to check out.

Whatever method you use, the dosage has to be perfect as well. The dose will depend on factors like your weight, health conditions, and nature of your symptoms. 

Is It Safe to Use CBD for Sleep?

Though research says that CBD is relatively safe for treating sleeping problems, there may be some side effects. The most common side effect of using this compound is fatigue. Some patients may also experience symptoms of diarrhea, losing appetite, and weight loss. Chewing on some top quality CBD gummies from true industry leaders in the CBD space is something worth considering to help your sleep disorder.

Avoid these side effects by talking to your doctor before you take CBD in any form. Remember, every person is different. So, there can’t be a cookie-cutter approach to treating a disease. Here, the dosage may vary for each patient.

Words of Caution

Scientific studies prove the effectiveness of CBD products for improving sleep. But before you give it a try, consider these tips:

• Use only high-quality CBD having recommended ingredients and following the right cultivation methods. Also, check the label to see the amount of CBD and THC.
• You may combine CBD with other sleep aids like melatonin. Both these compounds are endogenous and naturally made by the body. So, they have lesser chances of side effects, if any. However, consult a doctor first.
• Research says that a high dosage of cannabinoids is more effective in treating sleep disorders. Patients with 15 mg of CBD become more wakeful in comparison to those taking larger doses of 25 mg.
• Discuss with your physician before you take any supplements for improving your sleeping patterns. Mostly, doctors do not recommend any sleep medication for a period of more than a few weeks. Hence, it’s always better to find the root cause of your problem and get the best treatment accordingly.
• Check the cannabis laws in your state before taking any product. Hemp-derived cannabinoids are legal at the federal level, but states may have some restrictions on their usage.
• Check the reviews of various products by reputable websites, where you’ll find independent and honest reviews by the actual users.

Besides, remember that CBD is not a miracle drug to improve your sleep. There isn’t sufficient research yet to prove its effectiveness as a whole. The results vary from person to person.

But, it’s a safer option with much potential to help patients having problems like anxiety, chronic pain, sleep apnea, and fibromyalgia. These are leading causes of sleeplessness, and CBD helps to soothe them for long-term effects.