Does CBD Oil Help You Sleep?

Is it hard for you to sleep? Do you struggle with laying awake at night? You may be interested in the connection between cannabidiol (CBD) use and sleep quality. 

There’s a lot of talk about CBD oil, a naturally occurring compound found in industrial hemp varieties of the cannabis plant. Early research suggests that CBD can produce powerful effects in the body, largely due to its interactions with your body’s Endocannabinoid System (ECS). The ECS is responsible for regulating several important body functions, including your pain response, mood, and sleep. But can CBD oil really alleviate sleeplessness? Will it make you fall asleep or keep you awake all night? Let’s take a closer look at how CBD use may impact your sleep cycle and if CBD oil helps you sleep. 

Can CBD Oil Help You Sleep?

As mentioned earlier, when you consume CBD oil, the cannabinoids interact with your body’s ECS receptors. And research suggests that these interactions can affect your sleep cycle in several ways. 

CBD appears to reduce daytime sleepiness by invigorating your REM sleep. Also, in early studies, CBD may be showing promising results when addressing sleep disorders in individuals with neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease. In fact, these findings were recently shown in a study published in Springer Nature.

The Relationship Between CBD Oil And Sleep Disorders

Scientists first turned to CBD as a potential sleep aid because of its similarities to THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Both cannabinoids are naturally-occurring compounds of the cannabis plant. And, as is the case with THC, CBD users report that cannabidiol helps them relax.

Yet CBD and THC are also entirely different: THC users will experience a euphoric high. But, when you consume hemp-derived CBD products, you won’t experience any psychoactive effects. As such, researchers hope to explore CBD as a natural and legal potential sleep aid. 

Of course, CBD research is still in its early stages. Even so, new findings suggest that, in addition to improving your REM sleep, CBD may help address certain conditions that contribute to insomnia. 

What Causes Insomnia?

Sometimes, you can’t sleep and you don’t know why. At other times, however, underlying conditions–including depression and anxiety–may contribute to your troubles sleep cycles. And this is where CBD may again be able to help.  

Pre-clinical findings suggest that CBD oil may help address symptoms of stress or anxiety. In a recent study involving 72 individuals, participants were given a 25mg CBD pill before bed. And the results were exciting: 66.7% of the subjects reported a better sleep experience, while 79.2% recorded lower anxiety levels. Prior to the study, 25 of these patients in the study had trouble sleeping while 47 experienced anxiety. 

Chronic pain can also contribute to insomnia; this is another area in which CBD use may be helpful. Several studies, including a recent study published in Frontiers in Pharmacology, established that CBD may be an effective pain management tool. So, if pain is keeping you up at night, beginning a CBD routine may help you get more rest.  

How Does CBD Oil Work?

While it may seem unusual, CBD doesn’t impact your sleep cycle by making you drowsy.  Ironically, CBD oil may improve your sleep by making you more alert! Here’s the story:  

Remember your endocannabinoid system? We mentioned it earlier. Well, scientists only discovered the ECS existence about 25 years ago; its study is still ongoing. While we’re still learning more about the ECS, we do know that it’s made up of a series of cannabinoid receptors throughout your body and central nervous system, which is the area of your body responsible for sleep regulation. 

We know that our body produces its own cannabinoids, which act as chemical messengers that interact with ECS receptors. But you can also stimulate your ECS receptors by ingesting cannabis products that contain phytocannabinoids, like CBD. In theory, your body should produce enough endocannabinoids to keep your sleep cycle working optimally. But research suggests that’s not always the case, and has concluded that sleep difficulties may be a symptom of endocannabinoid deficiency. In theory, introducing external cannabinoids could help restore balance and improve sleep quality. 

Cannabinoids and the ECS

We’re still studying the relationship between CBD and sleep. But initial findings suggest that the interaction between endocannabinoids, ECS receptors, chemicals, and proteins within your brain is responsible for people enjoying better sleep when they use CBD oil. 

We also know that myrcene (a form of terpene, which is an aromatic compound found in fruits and plants) is concentrated in a full-spectrum CBD product. This terpene, a foundation of aromatherapy, has a sedative effect. 

Can CBD Oil Impact My Sleep Quality?

Using CBD oil may improve your ability to fall asleep for many of the reasons we’ve already discussed. But the sleep you get when you take CBD may be more restful, since cannabidiol may limit certain factors that interrupt quality sleep.

Of course, research suggests that the relationship between CBD and sleep may depend on the dose administered. Lower doses of CBD act by increasing wakefulness and inducing a stimulating effect. Higher doses, on the other hand, have a sedative effect. 

A study on patients who suffered from insomnia revealed that they could sleep for a longer time when they were administered doses of 160mg/day. These moderate doses resulted in fewer awakenings when they were asleep. 

Given these findings, you may be able to address sleeplessness by using CBD oil, at least for short-term purposes. Scientific findings suggest that CBD may help shorten the time you take to fall asleep, and may also improve your slow-wave sleep and NREM so you feel more rested when you awake.

How to Use CBD Oil for Sleep

Everyone’s body is made up differently. What works for you may not work for others. Experimentation is key when determining your optimal CBD routine. The dosage, time of day, body chemistry, and form of product are variables that should be considered when using CBD oil. 

CBD oil has the highest cannabinoid component of all forms of CBD. Many people enjoy taking CBD oil in a tincture form, to help preserve terpenes that contribute to the CBD’s taste and smell. They also offer various health benefits. Small and consistent amounts taken daily may help improve your sleep. 

Does CBD Oil Have Any Health Risks?

In 2017, the World Health Organization released a report concluding that cannabidiol doesn’t cause harm. However, the WHO advised CBD users to proceed cautiously. 

Liver enzymes are responsible for breaking down medicines in your body. These enzymes interact with CBD once it is administered. So, if you take CBD while taking other medications, you may slow down the process of drug metabolism. High CBD doses can lead to liver injury. You should consult your doctor before taking CBD, especially if you are taking prescribed drugs. 

Few CBD oil users experience negative effects. However, some people may notice side effects including drowsiness or dry mouth. Drowsiness caused by CBD oil can impact your ability to perform a job. It can also impair your driving ability. You should exercise great care when using CBD oil. This will help ensure that your safety is guaranteed.  

How Does CBD Oil Compare to Other Sleep Aids?

CBD oil may be a safer option compared to other sleeping aids because it does not carry the risk of dependency. Plus, CBD oil may relieve symptoms of stress and pain, thereby preventing future sleep disturbances. Still, more research is required to find out the sleep disorders that benefit the most from CBD oil.

The Bottom Line

Millions of Americans suffer from sleeping problems. These individuals are desperate to find working solutions to fight insomnia. CBD oil is an effective and safe supplement that may help to improve sleep. 

For you to experience the best results when using CBD oil, you need to buy your CBD products from a reputable brand. At Tanasi, we value our clients and take care to provide third-party tested CBD oil products to ensure your safety and guarantee their effectiveness. If you have any questions about using our CBD oil to improve sleep quality, feel free to reach out. We’re here to help!