If you’ve ever tossed and turned through the night, you know how agonizing poor sleep or insomnia can be. And there are more important benefits to getting a good night’s sleep than giving you enough energy to get through the next day at work. Lack of sleep over time can take a severe toll on your health, putting you at risk for increased stress, anxiety, depression, memory issues, and high blood pressure to lowered immunity, hormone imbalances, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, and even weight gain. (1) Even worse, one review of 15 studies concluded that poor sleepers have much higher heart disease or stroke rates than those who get a solid 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night (2).
Ifif you want to be healthy and stay healthy, getting the sleep you need is just as important as eating right. But it doesn’t always come easy. Over the years, I’ve tried many remedies to help me sleep better when restless nights haunt me. But the most effective sleep remedy I’ve found for me is CBD. All-natural with many options and safe for everyday use, see why CBD might be just what you need to get better sleep.
What is CBD?
Isolated for the first time in 1940, CBD (short for cannabidiol) is one of over 100 compounds called cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant (Cannabis sativa), aka marijuana.
CBD has various excellent health benefits with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, including pain and anxiety relief. CBD has also shown evidence in studies to be an effective solution to help people get better sleep. ( 3, 4 )
How does CBD work? Our bodies produce a neurotransmitter called endocannabinoids, which bind receptors that are part of the nervous system called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). (5) Recently discovered and still not fully understood, the ECS involves various body functions, including immunity, appetite, pain sensitivity, and sleep quality. As CBD molecules travel through the body, they attach to these endocannabinoid receptors, leaving us calm while relieving pain sensations.
And science is starting to catch on to CBD’s benefits for sleep. A 2019 study with 72 patients with anxiety and poor sleep, given 25 mg of CBD capsules, found that stress was reduced in 79 percent of participants, while sleep was improved in 66 percent within the first month. (6)
How Safe is CBD?
Often confused with THC, marijuana’s other well-known cannabinoid notorious for its ability to give a “high,” CBD doesn’t share any of the same psychoactive or euphoric effects. All CBD products are only federally legal if derived from hemp, which is the same plant species as marijuana but contains less than 0.3 percent THC.
The World Health Organization has reported that,
“In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential…. There is no evidence of public health-related problems associated with using pure CBD.”
If it can give you the sleep you deserve, why not try?
How Can You Take CBD For Sleep?
Available in different strengths measured in milligrams (mg), CBD oil is one of the most popular and widely available products. CBD extract is added to an edible carrier oil such as coconut or honey.
Now, with CBD’s growing popularity, there’s a variety of unique and delicious CBD-infused products, including:
- Capsules
- Teas
- Chocolates
- Gummies
- Cookie dough (yes, you read right!)
- Shakes
There are even CBD-infused body care and spa products like
- Balms
- Body creams
- Bath bombs
Clinical trials studying the effects of CBD on sleep have involved doses ranging from 25 mg to 1,500 mg of CBD per day. It’s always best to start with a low amount and gradually increase until you find what works for you. You should also speak with your health provider before starting any new regimen, especially if you have underlying health issues.
