Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the main cannabinoids in the Cannabis plant, interacting with your endocannabinoid system and helping the body to maintain the balance of vital functions, homeostasis.
Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD does not induce psychotropic effects. Among all its wellness applications, some research and anecdotal evidence suggests that CBD can help you get a good night's sleep. Here's what you need to know about using CBD for sleep.
What research says about CBD and sleep
To understand whether CBD can improve sleep, we first need to understand what causes sleep disorders.
Many things can lead to poor sleep. Insomnia can be caused by :
- mental health disorders, such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression
- medication, which can disrupt your sleep-wake cycle
- physical conditions such as chronic pain and restless leg syndrome
- caffeine, especially when consumed late in the day
- environmental factors, such as loud noises or an uncomfortable bed
If your insomnia is caused by external factors, CBD can help by treating the causes of insomnia. While CBD research is still in its infancy, some research suggests that CBD can treat anxiety and therefore improve sleep.
A study published in 2019 investigated whether CBD could improve sleep and/or reduce anxiety. The study involved 72 subjects, 47 with anxiety and 25 with sleep disorders. Participants each received 25 mg of CBD per day in capsule form. Within the first month, 79.2% of patients reported lower levels of anxiety and 66.7% reported better sleep.
Pain, which can also cause sleep problems, can also be alleviated by CBD. A magazine of 2018, published in Frontiers in Pharmacology, The authors of the study noted that there is ample evidence to support the claim that CBD soothes pain. The authors note that by reducing chronic pain, CBD may improve sleep.
Other research indicates that CBD affects the sleep cycle. A research from 2014 examined 4 patients with Parkinson's disease. It revealed that CBD improved symptoms of REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), a disorder in which a person realizes dreams. RBD is associated with poor sleep and nightmares.
A study review produced in 2017 also noted that CBD may be useful in the treatment of RBD and has potential to treat excessive daytime sleepiness.
Torpor, another symptom of insomnia, could also be affected by CBD. A study from 2014 revealed that CBD may have the potential to promote wakefulness, based on human and animal research. The authors noted that they didn't know exactly how or why CBD promoted wakefulness in some cases, although other studies point to a quantity-dependent response. Small doses of CBD could promote wakefulness, while larger doses would be more conducive to sleep.
How CBD works to improve sleep
Even studies that conclude that CBD can improve sleep are not always able to say why this is the case. Most of the studies mentioned above emphasize that we need more research on CBD before we fully understand how it affects our sleep.
However, as mentioned above, many researchers claim that CBD improves sleep because it addresses the root causes of insomnia. As more research is done on CBD, we'll learn more about why and how it can help us sleep.
How to use CBD for sleep
There are several ways to use CBD to improve sleep, including:
- spray, with the vape pen and CBD cartridges
- sublingual, with CBD oils and tinctures
- by ingestion, with pills and capsules
- in foods such as honey or candy
As a general rule, CBD vape gets CBD into the bloodstream faster than other forms.
The dose of CBD you use and how long you take it will depend on a number of factors. Your weight, personal body chemistry and the nature of your sleep disorders will affect how CBD works. What works for some people may not work for others.
Most clinical trials on CBD and sleep have involved giving participants between 25 mg and 1500 mg of CBD per day. It's best to start with a low dose and gradually increase until you find something that works for you, with some doses holding more to medical use than just «wellness».
Much of the research on CBD, anxiety and sleep has noted that many patients don't notice an immediate difference. The 2019 study mentioned above noted that it took about a month for subjects to notice a difference. Be patient and remember that you're unlikely to see immediate results.
Sources and scientific studies are cited and linked in the content of the above article.
- Sleep disorders
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