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CBD Oil for Sleep? Does it work?

CBD was used by our ancestors centuries ago for many health purposes, including sleep, pain, nausea, anxiety, and other related problems. During the late 1960s, scientists discovered the first cannabis compound. This finding provided them motivation to further identify more than 80 individual cannabinoids. Today, research studies continue to identify the potential symptom-relieving and disease-fighting abilities of CBD.

The cannabis plant contains many compounds, and most of them have been studied to offer a variety of medicinal benefits. The cannabis compounds popular in today’s world are called cannabinoids. These cannabinoids may help a wide array of conditions and symptoms, including issues that cause individuals to not get enough sleep.

If you’re having difficulties sleeping and are considering trying CBD as a means to aid your problems, then you’re in luck. This article focuses on the benefits from using CBD for sleep.

The rise of Sleeplessness

Sleep issues are one of the significant problems faced by Americans. As reported by sleepadvisor.org 50 to 70 million people in the US suffer from one or several sleep disorders.

This issue has led many sleep-deprived people to begin using over-the-counter and prescription sleep aids, which are often accompanied by tremendous side effects and lengthy warning labels. Unfortunately, traditional prescription pills can be addictive and ineffective.

CBD oil has now become the go-to solution for people who have failed to find a solution with prescription medication or OTC pills. The reason why CBD oil is so effective in helping people regain heathly sleep is because it acts on receptors throughout the body known as the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is responsible for most bodily physiological processes, including the hormone levels, immune system, sleep/wake cycles, and pain receptors.

How CBD oil relieves insomnia and sleep may differ from one individual to another. However, people who want to gain a possible treatment for sleep issues often turn to, and find relief with, CBD oil. Since CBD oil has natural compounds, it makes it safe and non-addictive as well as a perfect alternative for other traditional sleeping medications.

How does CBD Oil facilitate sleep?

CBD Lessens anxiety

CBD is a proven anti-anxiety medication, and taking CBD before sleep can quickly reduce sleep difficulties and improve sleep quality. Research also suggests that CBD may increase your overall sleep time and resolve sleep insomnia. CBD may also help chronic pain sufferers who find difficulties sleeping by reliving some of their pain.

Anxiety and stress can prompt insomnia in some people. CBD can control cortisol, a stress hormone, which significantly affects non-REM sleep cycles. Several scientific studies have found that CBD oil helps anxiety-related disorders and increases sleep quality.

CBD Provides Pain relief

People struggling with sleep issues due to chronic or acute pain can use CBD oil as a perfect alternative to pharmaceutical pain relievers. CBD can ease the pain that comes from lack of sleep by regulating the symptoms that can cause a lack of sleep.

CBD Unwinds Muscles

Numerous scientific studies have shown the effectiveness of CBD in treating movement disorders. CBD also helps to lessen tremors and hypermotility in patients who have Parkinson’s disease. This helps insomnia in patients with movement disorders like Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease to find relief and enhance their sleep.

CBD and Symptoms Related to Pregnancy

Most women find difficulties sleeping during pregnancy due to issues relating to stress, pain, nausea, and general pregnancy-induced insomnia. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported to the severe casualty of using CBD oil, but it’s advisable to consult your doctor before using CBD during pregnancy.

No bad dreams

Nightmares are another reason which can stop people from enjoying quality sleep. People with REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), which results from restlessness and increased nightmares, often find themselves dreaming each time they sleep. Several reports support the ability of CBD to reduce the side effects of RBD. When CBD oil is consumed in smaller doses, it facilitates alertness and reduces daytime sleepiness, which can promote the consistency of the sleep-wake cycle.

Reduces blackouts

CBD controls the body’s sleep/wake cycles and helps to promote wakefulness during daytime and relaxation at night. Several factors, including insomnia, daytime sleepiness, or drowsiness, can influence the body’s daily productivity and the ability to fall asleep during nighttime. When you use CBD during the daytime, it facilitates alertness, therefore promoting a sounder sleep at night.

Lessens PTSD

One of the main reasons people suffer from sleep-related problems is due to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is linked with sleep disturbances and REM cycle issues. Several reports show how CBD oil can effectively reduce sleep issues related to PTSD. CBD can relieve PTSD-driven anxiety, which reduces anxiety-induced REM sleep disturbances.

The relationship between CBD and sleep

Sleeplessness can be due to several reasons, including mental issues (stress, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder), prescription pills, regularly drinking caffeine, and external factors such as noise, light and temperature. Some of these, such as noise and light can be easily controlled.

In some situations, people experience insomnia due to high anxiety levels. Although there’s a need for more studies on CBD, current research shows that it eases detrimental symptoms that can prevent a user from getting the recommended amount of nightly sleep.

People with Parkinson’s disease can use CBD to reduce REM-behavior-disorder, a condition which causes physical reactions during sleep. Usually, when REM sleep occurs, the body becomes stiff, a state commonly known as REM atonia. This lack of movement prevents individuals from reacting physically to their dreams. However, REM behavior disorder doesn’t come with paralysis, which means individuals can quickly move during dreams; this can lead to disruptive sleep and injuries while sleeping. CBD can also help reduce pain and overall sleeping quality in people with Parkinson’s disease.

How Much Should I take for Sleep?

Each human being has a distinct body, so what works for you might not work for others. Experimentation is vital in finding the best CBD oil for sleep. Keep in mind that the effects of CBD can vary depending on dosage, product, and time of day as well as personal characteristics. Several reports suggest the effectiveness of CBD for short-term sleeping, but these effects may diminish over time.

How Many mg of CBD For Sleep and Insomnia?

Early research suggests that taking 160 mg of cannabidiol before bed improves sleep time in people with insomnia.

Ref: A protocol for the delivery of cannabidiol (CBD) and combined CBD and ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) by vaporisation.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25319497/

However, lower doses do not have this effect. Cannabidiol also does not seem to help people fall asleep and might reduce the ability to recall dreams.

Most clinical trials on CBD and sleep have involved giving the subjects anywhere between 150 mg to 1,500 mg of CBD per day. It’s recommended to start with a low dosage and gradually increase it until you find something that works for you.

When you consume CBD in different forms such as tinctures and sublingual sprays, it provides instant effects. On the other hand, consuming CBD in the form of edibles and oils tend to give a slower effect, which is long-lasting and helps you to have a more extended sleeping period.

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