Sleep is a process that the body depends on to thoroughly restore and get it get ready for the day ahead. But we live stressful lives, and millions are struggling to get some quality shut-eye. Over the last few decades, more and more people report they are suffering from sleep deprivation.
The National Sleep Foundation says that approximately 35% of the American population has a poor overall sleep quality rating, with many people waking up still feeling tired. While having one of the best online mattresses is a good way to improve sleep, some people may still find themselves lying awake at night because of stress and other causes related to insomnia.
While there are prescription and over-the-counter medications that help people fall asleep, many people are turning to CBD and other natural remedies for their insomnia. In this post, we take a look at whether or not CBD oil can help with sleep and discuss ways to use these products to best experience their potential benefits.
Does CBD Help With Sleep?
CBD oil, a product that contains extracts of cannabidiol derived from hemp and cannabis plants, has been known to have many medicinal properties. People use these products to help them cope with stress, reduce anxiety, and even to relieve pain symptoms. Some people also use CBD oil as a remedy to help them sleep. But what does science say about taking CBD products as a sleep aid?
The great thing about CBD, and cannabis in general, is that a significant number of studies have reported on its potential health benefits. While the body of research on CBD oil and sleep is not as significant compared to studies of CBD’s effects on anxiety or pain, we did find a couple of important publications that we are going to review.
- A review published in the Journal of Current Psychiatry Reports looked at studies that have been conducted on cannabis up to the year 2014. The researchers behind the study found that CBD, or cannabidiol, seems to be one of the most potent elements of cannabis and hemp plants, and possesses the therapeutic potential to assist people suffering from insomnia. While the study did find that THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol (also found in these plants), may also improve sleep, there were adverse effects noted with long-term use of products that contain a significant amount of the chemical, which has psychoactive properties.
- In one study, published in The Permanente Journal, researchers analyzed the efficacy of CBD oil in the treatment of sleep-related problems and anxiety in a group of 72 adults. Anxiety symptoms improved significantly in 79.2% of the participants who were part of the study. Among those reporting insomnia and other sleep-related difficulties, 66.7% saw a significant improvement in their sleep scores. All patients, except for three, were able to tolerate the CBD oil without any side effects.
Additionally, combining the use of CBD oil along with buying one of the best mattresses for back pain could potentially help you sleep better and experience less pain.
How Does CBD Oil Help to Improve Sleep?
Now, let’s take a closer look at how exactly these products work to achieve the results reported in these positive studies.
It should be noted that CBD oil seems to work indirectly to improve sleep. One of the most common reasons why people experience insomnia and sleep problems is because of stress and anxiety.
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America reports that both of these conditions tend to have a significant impact on a person’s ability to sleep well. For those with an existing range of symptoms associated with insomnia, the condition may be worsened when anxiety develops or following periods of stress. It is also possible to develop sleep-related problems when a person starts to suffer from anxiety alone.
This is where cannabidiol extracts come into play. According to a Springer Neurotherapeutics Journal entry, cannabidiol has been shown to be a highly effective natural option for managing anxiety disorders, including:
- Panic disorder
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Social anxiety disorder
While not all of these disorders will necessarily impact a person’s ability to sleep well at night, a reduction in symptoms caused by general anxiety is sure to help you feel calmer, and when you feel calmer and less stressed, it’s easier to fall asleep.
How To Use CBD To Improve Sleep
If you have decided to try CBD oil to help you sleep better, then you should understand how to use the oil to achieve its maximum benefits.
The first step is to find a good quality CBD oil. Some people say they prefer to buy a product that is made from pure CBD oil with no added compounds. Others, however, opt for a CBD oil that has been developed specifically for improving sleep. In such cases, the product may contain additional compounds, such as chamomile extracts, to enhance the oil’s ability to help you relax and fall asleep faster.
Dosage is another factor to consider when using CBD oil for sleep, pain, or any other malady. There is no perfect dose that works for everyone, so you will need to experiment with the doses a little to find what works best for you.
When it comes to doses, you should also consider the concentration of cannabidiol in the oil that you have purchased. Your body weight will also play a role in how much of the oil you will need to experience the benefits.
Since high doses of CBD oil can cause some potential side effects, it is recommended that you start with a low dose and then work your way up until you have achieved the desired results. Your body needs to adapt to the compound before you consider using a more significant amount of CBD oil.
Conclusion
A good night’s sleep should be a priority for everyone, but insomnia, stress, and other factors make it difficult for some to get the amount of sleep that their bodies need to thoroughly refresh and prepare for the next day. Many people wonder if CBD can help with sleep and, if so, how to use these products. Some studies show that CBD oil can provide an improvement in sleep for many people. Some CBD products are combined with additional natural substances that can further improve sleep so people can avoid reaching for prescription or over-the-counter medications.
