Don’t underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep. It’s important to know when to take CBD oil for sleep.
Completing healthy hours of sleep per night (experts recommend seven to nine hours) ensures you are energized and well-rested the next day. It also contributes to better brain function, prevention of easy risk to illnesses, mood stabilization, human tissue repair and more.
Unfortunately, not everyone has good sleeping situations. Approximately 70% of Americans have trouble sleeping and at least one-third of working Americans only get six hours or less of uninterrupted sleep.
There are solutions to even the most stubborn of sleeping problems. Some of the most common approaches include improved sleeping routine/habits, prescription sleeping pills, and natural sleep aids.
Taking CBD is one approach. Although touted to help with sleep and anxiety, CBD health claims are yet to be confirmed. The medical community encourages more clinical trials on the subject of using CBD for sleep.
What is CBD?
CBD or cannabidiol is a compound extracted from the cannabis plant. Unlike THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), a sibling compound, CBD is non-psychoactive (it can’t give you the feeling of a “high”).
Because of its psychoactive-free nature, the medical community has a strong interest in CBD as a compound touted for several health benefits, one of which is the possibility of improving sleep.
Evidence Supporting CBD’s Potential As A Sleeping Agent
It’s important to note that the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration), currently, does not recommend CBD as a type of treatment agent for medical conditions except for Lennox Gastaut syndrome (LGS), Dravet syndrome (DS), or tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) in people one year of age and older.
Also, CBD hasn’t been confirmed to treat insomnia or other forms of sleeping problems. CBD products marketed to improve sleep are loosely based on several groundbreaking medical trials, research and reviews. Here are some of them:
- 2019 Study: A large case series study explored how CBD affects sleep and anxiety. The results were more than promising.
CBD improved the subjects’ sleeping scores as well as the markers of anxiety. Part of the study’s conclusion recommends further exploration and tests on the thesis using, this time, large-scale human-based studies.
- 2018 Study: Results of the study show that the combination of CBD and THC administration was able to improve the symptoms of insomnia among volunteers.
However, one of the limitations of the research material was that it wasn’t able to isolate the effects of either CBD or THC on the symptoms of insomnia.
- 2016 Study: The study revolved around a 10-year-old girl with post-traumatic stress disorder and inevitable poor sleeping conditions.
Although the 25 mg of CBD dosage and an additional 6 to 12 mg for anxiety were administered, the effect was not instantaneous but the girl’s sleeping condition eventually improved.
- 2014 Study: Results of the study imply that CBD may potentially improve the symptoms of REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), a disorder associated with poor sleep and nightmares.
How Does CBD Oil Work as a Sleeping Agent?
The medical community didn’t exactly offer a comprehensive explanation of how CBD works in the “human body” as a sleeping agent. Zooming out, CBD may not directly affect sleep but rather, only influence part of the factors affecting the quality of sleep.
One facet often discussed is CBD’s involvement in potentially relieving the cause of sleeplessness such as RBD, nightmares, anxiety, and chronic pain.
A review from the University of Pennsylvania highlights the role of the human endocannabinoid system (The ECS) in serving as a medium for CBD’s effects on the body.
The ECS is a system that partly regulates the several physiological processes of the body such as our circadian sleep–wake cycle.
Guidelines for Taking CBD for Sleep and Forms of CBD for Sleep
The available CBD products marketed for sleep come in many forms. They are largely sold in multi outlets, drug stores, dispensaries, and even online stores.
CBD Oils and Tinctures
CBD oils are oil-based formulations using CBD as an active ingredient. They’re also alcohol-based. The extraction process often utilizes high-proof alcohol.
Depending on what type of extract (isolate, broad-spectrum, full-spectrum) is used, CBD oil/tinctures might contain other cannabis compounds such as THC, CBN, CBG, flavonoids, terpenes, and more.
- CBD isolate – is the purest form of CBD. It is devoid of any other components that may be extracted from the cannabis plant.
- Broad-spectrum – this type of extract falls somewhere in between CBD isolate and full-spectrum. It contains the other components. of cannabis, but unlike full-spectrum, it does not contain any traces of THC.
- Full-spectrum – a type of CBD extract that has all of the cannabis compounds, including THC.
CBD oils and tinctures are popular choices among consumers because of the flexibility they offer. Most popularly consumed through the sublingual method, CBD oil and tinctures may also be applied topically or infused in food and beverages.
The sublingual method is the dropping of the product under your tongue and letting it marinate there for at least 60 seconds for full absorption. Premium CBD oils and tinctures will have droppers for product dispensation.
CBD Pills and Capsules
CBD Pills and Capsules are taken like how you would normally pop a pill in your mouth with water. Because this type of consumption has to go through the digestive system, the potency of CBD is a lot less compared to CBD products taken sublingually.
CBD Edibles and Gummies
CBD edibles are infused with CBD (usually cookies and chocolates).
Typically, they fall under the category of CBD edibles. However, they’re mentioned separately because of the many varieties available under this form. They’re a favorite among CBD users because of their discreteness. You can eat it in public and people would dismiss it as candy.
CBD Vape Concentrates
The charm of vaping CBD is the method of consumption – inhalation. It’s one of the fastest ways for CBD to directly infiltrate the bloodstream.
As opposed to CBD oils and tinctures, the medical and research communities haven’t deeply explored CBD vaping. They brush on it quickly but there are no rigorous or extensive trials on the subject. Also, vaping poses risks to the respiratory system.
When to Take CBD Oil for Sleep
CBD dosing is not universal because CBD brands have unique formulations from each product. Also, CBD dosing considers several factors such as a person’s weight, body chemistry, and the nature of one’s sleeping problem. Finally, it’s important to note that CBD hits each individual slightly differently.
Most clinical trials, on average, recommend anywhere between 25 mg to 1500 mg of CBD per day. If you’re a beginner, start at the lowest dose. Gradually work your way up until you observe CBD’s effects efficiently working positively on your sleeping situation.
CBD’s effects aren’t instant. Anecdotal reports observe that for CBD to affect someone, you must take it consistently. CBD, when not coupled with good sleeping habits and a healthy lifestyle choice, probably can’t help that much.
Reach out to the Certificated CBD Consultants over at MelaMed Premium CBD for a complementary consultation and more information on proper dosage.
“These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.”