If you struggle to sleep or stay asleep at night and find yourself getting more and more desperate for quality rest, you’re not alone.
According to a 2022 report from Forbes, about 70 million adult Americans suffer from chronic sleep problems. And while many resources are available to help improve sleep—from supplements and medications to sleep coaches and high-tech gadgets—cannabidiol (CBD) is also being considered as an alternative.
Can CBD help improve sleep when taken regularly? What can it do for those who work it into their health and wellness routine? Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of cannabidiol and how CBD products can help improve sleep quality.
What You Should KNow About Using CBD to Improve Your Sleep
CBD is one of those products that generate a knee-jerk reaction in many people. Most people know it is beneficial for health and wellness and has many positive impacts on physical, mental, and emotional health.
However, there are many misconceptions as well, and many people falsely correlate CBD with the other byproduct of its source: the marijuana plant. The sleep benefits are often overshadowed in people’s minds as they worry about the side effects and legal ramifications of using CBD products.
CBD is the second most abundant compound in the Cannabis Sativa plant and has long been believed to assist with regulating sleep/wake cycles. In fact, CBD can even at times help reduce the severity of sleep disorders in a way that modern chemically manufactured medications cannot. And best of all, cannabidiol doesn’t cause the intoxicatingly psychoactive “high” that the delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in marijuana does.
You can get the relaxing and restorative effects without the risky and controversial side effects of THC. Working with your healthcare team is the best way to ensure you adhere to all local, state, and national laws and regulations concerning the use of CBD for sleep.
Sleep Issues CBD Can Help With
With proper medical monitoring and when used along with competent and responsible medical care, CBD products can significantly improve the quality and quantity of sleep people can achieve.
Cannabidiol can be used along with therapies and other medical options to address sleep-related concerns that include:
- Insomnia and Sleep Disorders – CBD helps to slow and, to an extent, dull the mind, so sleep comes more easily. In a relaxed state, rest comes easier and lasts longer. The mind and body can heal and rejuvenate during sleep. CBD products can help slow the brain and make it easier for the brain and body to switch to sleep mode at night.
- Anxiety and Panic Attacks- Many people struggle to stop the vicious cycle of sleep deprivation, which only further fuels anxiety, making it harder to sleep, and worsening anxiety and sleep disorders. Cannabidiol has been shown to help the mind and body enter a restful state, allowing users to fall asleep earlier and stay asleep longer.
- Chronic Pain and Stiffness – While one of the most significant medical applications for medical marijuana is its effect on severe pain, CBD has also been shown to positively impact pain and nerve-related conditions. Using cannabidiol can reduce pain and stiffness, thus making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep all night long with less pain.
- Restless Leg Syndrome – CBD has been shown to help people experiencing specific disorders and medical conditions enjoy more restful nights. Conditions like restless leg syndrome, sleep apnea, and others can be improved with cannabidiol products. Taken before bed, they can reduce symptoms and help users sleep better.
- Circadian Rhythm Disorders- The final condition CBD can help offset are those related to hormonal imbalances. Hormone levels within the body control the body’s sleep cycle, and when these are out of sync or someone lives on an ‘unusual’ sleep schedule, getting quality sleep can be eased with cannabidiol use.
Should You Use CBD for Sleep?
Choosing CBD oil, pills, or rubs for sleep is between you and your healthcare provider. According to medical experts today, cannabidiol products can relieve a range of sleep-related issues and disorders, all without many of the harmful side effects traditional drugs and medications carry.
CBD is a safe alternative to prescription sleep medications, largely thanks to the generally accepted truth that cannabidiol is far less addictive and problematic than medical marijuana and other substances. CBD for sleep is a wise alternative for individuals seeking to improve the quality and quantity of sleep when there are no other co-morbidities and underlying medical concerns.
Various forms are available today for easy consumption, including capsules, edibles, tinctures, creams, patches, and more. No matter what formulation you choose, the critical thing to remember about using CBD is to follow medical guidelines and maintain frequent communications and checkups with your medical care provider to ensure you are getting all the benefits.
