CBD For Sleep

The benefits of CBD are endless but one of its most popular use is for promoting a full night’s rest.

Many things can cause you to sleep badly. According to the Mayo Clinic, insomnia can be caused by:

• mental health disorders,such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression
• medication, which can disturb 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 or related conditions, CBD may help by treating the causes of sleeplessness. While research on CBD is still in its infancy, some research suggests that CBD can treat anxiety.

Although more studies need to be performed, some research supports the theory that CBD and cannabinoids may improve sleep. This study published in the journal, Medicines, involved 409 people with insomnia. Data was collected from June 2016 to May 2018. Participants rated their symptoms of insomnia on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the most severe. Starting symptoms were rated 6.6 on average.

The results indicated the cannabinoids in cannabis decreased symptoms of insomnia. But the study involved using the cannabis flower, which contains several cannabinoids. It’s difficult to determine if relief from insomnia was due to CBD or another cannabinoid.

Pain, which may also cause sleep problems, can be helped by CBD as well. A 2018 review in Frontiers in Pharmacology noted that there’s a fair amount of evidence to support the claim that CBD soothes pain. The authors note that by reducing chronic pain, CBD can improve sleep.

How to use CBD for sleep

There are a number of ways to take CBD. It comes in a few different forms, including:

• vape concentrates
• oils and tinctures
• pills and capsules
• edibles, like gummies

Generally, vaping CBD gets it into your system faster than other forms. However, there’s not much research on vaping CBD, and vaping in general may pose respiratory risks.

The dosage of CBD you use, and the time you take it, will depend on a number of factors. Your weight, personal body chemistry, and the nature of your sleeping troubles will affect how the CBD works. What works for some people might not work for others.

Most clinical trials on CBD and sleep have involved giving the subjects anywhere between 25 mg to 1,500 mg of CBD per day. It’s best to start with a low dosage and gradually increase it until you find something that works for you.

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 the subjects to notice a difference. Be patient, and remember that you’re unlikely to get immediate results.