Millions of people struggle with falling asleep quickly and consistently, frequently awakening during the night or feeling exhausted upon awakening in the morning. CBD may help ease these difficulties by relieving anxiety that interferes with slumber.
A 2019 case series revealed that when CBD was added to treatment for patients suffering from anxiety or poor sleep, 67% saw their sleep improve within one month of adding it.
Anxiety
Anxiety is one of the primary contributors to poor sleep, from anxiety about work presentations and events to difficulty falling asleep at night. CBD’s soothing properties may help reduce this anxiety, leading to improved restful slumber.
Research suggests that CBD may offer both anxiety-relief and improved sleep quality when combined with psychotherapy or prescription medication. CBD works by engaging the endocannabinoid system which plays an essential role in controlling various bodily functions including sleeping.
CBD for sleep comes in various forms, including oil, capsules, gummies, tea and skin cream. When selecting a product to meet your individual needs it is vital that it is safe and meets all regulatory standards.
Pain
CBD has been shown to reduce pain and anxiety, potentially helping you sleep more soundly. More research needs to be conducted in this area though.
Before adding CBD to any medication regimen – prescription or herbal – always consult with a healthcare professional first. CBD may interfere with certain drugs and slow your liver’s ability to break them down effectively.
In a behavioral experiment, oral CBD administration increased nonREM sleep and altered its microstructure (longer short ripples), leading to poorer cumulative but intact simple memory performance on subsequent memory tests. CBD also significantly slowed delta, spindle and quiet wake ripple oscillations as well as reduced their intrinsic frequencies and amplitudes.
Stress
Stress and anxiety are often at the core of people’s inability to sleep soundly, which CBD’s calming properties can help alleviate. By decreasing emotional responses that hinder sleep quality and increasing relaxation, CBD may prevent insomnia – one of the primary culprits responsible for poor quality rest.
One study demonstrated how CBD improved sleep quality for adults suffering from chronic anxiety and insomnia. Within one month, anxiety levels had decreased while their restful nights increased as well.
To facilitate better sleep, it is crucial to create a healthy sleeping environment. This involves creating a regular bedtime routine and foregoing caffeine or stimulants at nighttime, along with exercising regularly and maintaining a balanced diet. CBD can help with all these factors by being taken daily as part of an integrated wellness routine; additional natural sleep aids, such as melatonin may also aid sleep quality.
Discomfort
CBD has long been used as an aid for various conditions and ailments, but it’s particularly favored as a sleep aid. Studies have demonstrated its ability to decrease anxiety levels, boost dopamine production and create an atmosphere conducive to sleeping – three essential qualities needed for quality restful slumber.
CBD appears to reduce both frequency and amplitude of NonREM oscillations, possibly as a result of its impact on acetylcholine and serotonin, both known to increase wakefulness.
Be sure to consult with a physician prior to starting CBD. It could interact with various medications such as blood thinners, antiepileptic drugs and immunosuppressants; abnormalities can appear in liver-related blood tests with higher doses; be wary that taking CBD with sedatives could cause side effects such as nausea and fatigue.
Depression
Depression can disrupt sleep by decreasing energy and making it hard to fall asleep, as well as difficulty staying asleep throughout the night. CBD may help by relieving anxiety and encouraging relaxation – leading to improved restful nights for you!
Depression often results in decreased appetite, leading to weight loss and nutritional deficiency that worsens depression symptoms. Therapy may help address this side effect.
However, CBD should not be seen as a replacement for traditional antidepressant treatments like psychotherapy and medication; rather it should be used as an additional therapy option. When choosing high-quality CBD products with third-party lab testing to make sure you receive exactly the dose that will suit you.
