Updated at: 16-01-2023 - By: Jane

In order to maintain optimal health and well-being, it is imperative that you get enough sleep each night. Adults need seven to nine hours of sleep per night, according to experts. Getting a good night’s sleep ensures that you wake up feeling relaxed and energized for the day ahead. Memory creation, growth and repair of muscle and tissue, and the prevention of illness are all benefits of a good night’s sleep.

Getting to sleep and staying asleep can be a challenge for some people. Nearly one-third of American employees sleep less than six hours a night, and as many as 70 percent of Americans do not get enough sleep. Better sleep and avoiding sleep debt can be achieved in a variety of ways. Improving one’s sleep hygiene is one option, but there are also prescription sleep aids and all-natural sleep aids to consider.

Cannabis-derived cannabidiol (CBD) is becoming increasingly popular as a way to improve one’s quality of sleep. Sleep and anxiety are two of the most common side effects of using CBD. However, CBD is only loosely regulated in the United States, necessitating a great deal more research before concrete conclusions can be drawn about how CBD affects sleep and other aspects of physical and mental health.

About Cannabis and Cannabinoids

Cannabis sativa is the scientific name for the green, narrow-leaved plant you may recognize, despite the numerous various colloquial titles. It’s perfectly acceptable to use the term “cannabis” to refer to anything made from the plant. Multiple chemical substances are found in cannabis plants, including a group known as “cannabinoids.” Researchers have focused their attention on tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), two of the more than 100 cannabinoids discovered so far because they appear to have the biggest effect on humans.

What Is Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)?

The cannabinoid, THC, is responsible for most of the well-known effects of cannabis, such as “getting high.” “Marijuana” refers to the portions of the Cannabis sativa plant containing THC.

The term “hemp” refers to cannabis plants and their derivatives that have less than 0.3 percent THC. The federal government no longer classifies hemp as a restricted substance as of 2018. As a result, the American market has seen an increase in hemp-related items. These items are commonly referred to as CBD products when sold.

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What Is Cannabidiol (CBD)?

In the United States, hemp-derived CBD, the other widely recognized cannabinoid, can be sold lawfully if it is extracted and marketed in accordance with the appropriate rules in this country. THC, on the other hand, has psychoactive qualities and produces similar effects. Apart from that, CBD doesn’t cause dependence or abuse potential.

In the United States, CBD is becoming increasingly popular. Even though CBD has been linked to numerous health advantages, the scientific legitimacy of its effectiveness remains a question mark.

Is CBD FDA-Approved?

Currently, just a handful of items that are derived from or connected to cannabis are FDA-approved in the United States:

  • Epidiolex. To our knowledge, this is the first oral CBD solution that the FDA has approved for human consumption. Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis complex are among the rare and severe forms of epilepsy for which the medicine has been approved for treatment. Other forms of seizures may be reduced by Epidiolex, but the FDA has not approved it for the treatment of those seizures.
  • Marinol and Syndros. Dronabinol, a synthetic version of THC, is found in both of these products. Capsules or oral solutions are the two common forms. Drugs that alter the region of the brain that controls hunger and nausea can be used for a wide range of medical conditions. These include the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and the treatment of HIV-related weight loss.
  • Cesamet. In addition to nabilone, Cesamet contains synthetic THC-like compound nabilone This pill, like dronabinol, affects the region of the brain that regulates nausea and vomiting. Chemotherapy patients who have not reacted to other anti-nausea and anti-vomiting medications are given this medication.

The Food and Medicinal Administration (FDA) has not authorized any additional CBD drug products. The FDA has yet to make a decision on the safety and efficacy of CBD or cannabis in the treatment of any specific disease or condition.

What Forms Does CBD Come In?

CBD comes in a variety of forms:

  • Drugs took orally, such as Epidiolex, which has been approved by the FDA.
  • under-the-tongue sprays for oral administration
  • Drops or droplets are a figurative term for oils and tinctures.
  • Inhalation devices for use in a pen-style vaporizer
  • Gummies, biscuits, and other sweets and drinks, such as cocoa and chai tea lattes,
    capsules, and tablets
  • Lotions, creams, patches, gels, and ointments are all examples of topical remedies.

What Are Common Doses of CBD?

Non-drug CBD products are not regulated by the FDA except for Epidiolex. As a result, CBD concentrations in various products are extremely variable.

Up to six months of daily 300-mg oral CBD dosages have been shown to be safe in studies. Taking up to 1,500 mg daily was shown to be well tolerated by participants in one research review. Subsequent research has validated the safety of 1,500 mg per day for four weeks.

As a result, people may end up taking more or less CBD than they meant because product labels don’t always show how much CBD a product contains. A study of 84 CBD products marketed online found that 26% had less CBD than the label stated. It was found that roughly 43 percent of the items tested contained more CBD than stated on the label.

These products may include more THC than stated on the label even though CBD at higher doses does not appear to have any significant negative effects on the body. THC content may be hidden on the label of other CBD products. As a result, these products’ THC content has the potential to generate unpleasant side effects, including intoxication.

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What Are the Effects of Taking CBD?

Researchers have discovered that CBD can soothe the neurological system. CBD influences the serotonin pathway, which in turn affects mood. Effects vary from person to person and are influenced by the substance and dose used.

CBD, in contrast to THC, does not give the user a “high” feeling. There are no THC-like effects even with huge dosages of CBD. CBD has also been shown to lessen the intoxicating effects of THC in a few studies.

Study results reveal that patients who take CBD for a short period of time do not suffer from withdrawal.

What Health Conditions Can CBD Help With?

CBD’s efficacy in the treatment of epilepsy has been well-documented thus far. CBD may also help treat schizophrenia and substance use disorders, according to preliminary research.

There is currently inadequate evidence to support the use of CBD to treat various health issues. A range of sleep disorders, including insomnia, restless leg syndrome (RLS), and excessive daytime sleepiness, may benefit from the use of CBD. Initial study reveals that CBD may also promote sleep and reduce anxiety for patients.

What Are the Risks of CBD?

The majority of CBD drugs and products’ side effects are mild to moderate. It is possible for patients taking Epidiolex to have side effects such as diarrhea or other digestive difficulties. When taking CBD, some people may feel sleepy. In certain cases, side effects from CBD may be caused by the drug’s interaction with other substances the patient is already taking.

How Can CBD Help With Sleep Disorders?

CBD’s impact on sleep disturbances is still in its infancy in research. Some patients who use CBD to treat chronic pain report improved sleep. CBD may help people sleep better, but it’s not clear if that’s due to the pain alleviation it provides or if CBD itself has that effect.

The results of preliminary investigations on CBD and sleep disturbances are encouraging. But not everyone gets the same advantages from CBD consumption, and different dosages may have different impacts. Low dosages of CBD have been found to be stimulating, but high amounts of CBD have been found to be sedating. Also, the way CBD is administered and the dosage can cause differences in results. We need more research to better understand CBD’s role as a treatment for sleep disorders.

Anxiety and CBD

Sleep disorders aren’t caused by anxiety, although they might be exacerbated by anxiety-related issues. Early research suggests that CBD can be used to treat anxiety problems since it relaxes the nervous system. Nearly 80% of participants who used CBD to treat their anxiety reported fewer levels of anxiety within a month of taking the supplement. More than 65 percent of individuals reported improved sleep at the start of the study, but effects varied over time.

Insomnia and CBD

When it comes to sleep, insomniacs have trouble either falling asleep or staying asleep during the night. This disorder impairs one’s capacity to stay awake during the day, as well as one’s mood. Insomniacs may have a history of poor sleep, which can lead to restlessness at night because of their fear of not getting enough sleep.

CBD has been shown to have favorable effects on anxiety, so it’s possible that it could also help alleviate the anxiety that comes with sleeplessness. Additionally, a new pilot study examining the effects of CBD and THC on people with insomnia as determined by a physician is underway. The results of this study will provide more information about how CBD affects sleep.

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder and CBD

During the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep, patients with REM sleep behavior disorder talk and make violent motions. Patients with neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s are more likely to suffer from the disorder.

In a small trial of four Parkinson’s disease patients, CBD was found to be effective in treating the symptoms of REM sleep behavior disorder. 2–7 times a week was a typical frequency for the patients before they started taking CBD. The symptoms occurred 0–1 times a week after using CBD. Despite the need for further research, preliminary findings suggest that CBD may be an effective treatment for REM sleep behavior disorder.

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness Disorder and CBD

Daytime sleepiness is a problem for those with excessive daytime sleepiness disorder. CBD, a cannabinoid found in cannabis, may be able to help you get up and remain awake. CBD appears to work as a wake-inducing medication in preliminary studies conducted on animals. In other research, CBD has been found to have sedative properties. The effects of CBD consumption on wakefulness and sleepiness must be studied further.

Does CBD Interact With Other Prescriptions?

Other prescription medications may have an effect on how well CBD works. Some drugs’ breakdown may be slowed by CBD’s effect on the liver in particular. Additionally, patients who use CBD along with medications or vitamins may become drowsy.

Consult your doctor before using any CBD product. Ensure that your doctor is aware of any drugs, herbs or supplements you are taking so they can determine if CBD might interfere with them. He or she will be the best person to tell you whether or not CBD will help you achieve your health goals.

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How we chose

Using characteristics that we believe are reliable indicators of safety, quality, and openness in the marketplace, we selected these products. This article’s products:

  • An ISO 17025-compliant laboratory has tested the product and issued a Certificate Of Analysis (COA) to prove it.
  • is manufactured from hemp farming in the United States.
  • According to the COA, this product contains no more than 0.3 percent THC.

As a part of our selection process, we also considered:

  • manufacturing methods and certifications
  • Product efficacy.
  • Whether or whether the product has other components that may help with sleep.
  • user trust and brand reputation indicators, such as:
    • shopper feedback
    • whether the FDA has issued a warning letter to the corporation Source You Can Count On
    • unsubstantiated health claims made by the corporation

Why these products?

There isn’t a better CBD for sleep than another. However, certain characteristics point to a high-quality CBD product. For example, taking a bath with a CBD bath bomb before going to bed can make these items even more effective in helping you catch some shut-eye.

Pricing

The majority of the items on this list cost less than $50.

In dollars per milligram, our pricing point guidance is based on the value of CBD in a container (mg).

  • $ = under $0.10 per mg of CBD
  • $$ = $0.10–$0.20 per mg
  • $$$ = over $0.20 per mg

Read the labels for serving sizes, volumes, strengths, and other ingredients to gain a complete sense of the price of a product.

CBD terms

  • CBD isolate A product that contains only CBD and no other cannabinoids.
  • Full-spectrum CBD: This is mostly CBD, with a few terpenoids, flavonoids, and cannabinoids. All of these components remain in the final product.
  • Broad-spectrum CBD: This contains a high concentration of CBD and lower concentrations of the other cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes found in cannabis. It’s common practice to eliminate THC and other psychoactive cannabinoids before consuming cannabis oil.
  • Flavonoids: The compounds that impart a particular flavor to a food or beverage. Different flavonoids in cannabis and hemp provide a variety of flavors.
  • Terpenes: Chemicals responsible for a plant’s distinct scent, with a different one for each variety. There may potentially be health benefits to terpenes.

What research says on CBD for sleep

Insomnia and other sleep difficulties are common reasons for people to turn to CBD. Insomnia, according to the Mayo Clinic, can be brought on by a variety of factors, including physical discomfort and worry. It stands to reason that CBD, which has shown promise in the treatment of pain and anxiety, could aid in a better night’s sleep for some people.

For pain management

CBD has been shown in numerous trials to be an excellent pain reliever. Several research on CBD and pain from 1975 to March 2018 were examined in a 2018 review. A lot of promise was found for CBD as a pain reliever, notably for cancer-related, neuropathic, and fibromyalgia-related pain, according to the study’s findings.

For stress levels

Further research is needed to determine whether CBD can help with anxiety reduction as well. Anxiety in social circumstances can be reduced by CBD, according to two studies published in 2010 and 2019Trusted Source. It has been stated in a 2018 review trusted Source that CBD may help reduce your overall stress levels, so if stress is keeping you awake at night, CBD may be worth a try.

For anxiety

CBD’s impact on sleep and anxiety was studied by 2019Trusted Source. They gave 72 women 25 mg of CBD a day. 79.2 percent of the patients reported a decrease in anxiety and 66.7 percent reported improved sleep after one month of treatment.

For wakefulness

CBD was also discovered to have the potential to increase alertness throughout the daytime in a 2014 review trusted Source that examined human and animal trials. To put it another way, it may be able to help you feel more awake during the day.

Research into CBD and sleep needs to continue, although existing findings are promising.

How to know what you’re getting

How to read CBD product labels

To guarantee that you’re obtaining a high-quality product, it’s crucial to check CBD product labels.

Labels for CBD oil may state:

  • Oils. MCT oil, hemp seed oil, or other types of oil are commonly found in CBD products. Specify the type of oil in the product on the label.
  • Flavorings. The flavor of some CBD products can be customized with the addition of flavoring substances.
  • Other ingredients. For example, if you’re selling a CBD-infused tea, you’ll need to list the remainder of the components.
  • Other factors. Some labels indicate whether the product is organic or not, or if it was cultivated in the area where it was purchased. Whether or not it’s significant to you, it’s entirely up to you to decide.
  • Dosage. Because the recommended dosage varies from person to person, not all CBD product labels include dosage information. The amount of CBD in a bottle, gummy, capsule, or teabag should be clearly stated, as should the amount in each drop or gummy.

What to look for from a third-party test

Customers should be able to see the product’s Certificate of Analysis (COA) if it has been third-party tested. In this step, a third-party lab verifies that the product is what it claims to be.

Unfortunately, some firms sell their wares as CBD products but fail to disclose that the products don’t actually contain CBD. Scams like these can be avoided by carefully reading the lab report.

How to read a lab report

Look for the following words in the lab report:

  • CBD content. According to the report, the amount of CBD contained in the bottle or milliliter of the product should be confirmed.
  • Other cannabinoids. Ideally, the lab report will confirm the presence of other cannabinoids if it is a full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD product.
  • Flavonoids and terpenes. Flavonoids and/or terpenes may be mentioned in some lab results. (The terminology parts of this article have more information on commonly used cannabis terms.)
  • Residual solvent analysis. Residual solvents are byproducts of extraction procedures. Moreover, some companies that make CBD isolate without the presence of THC employ heavy chemicals in the process.
  • Presence of heavy metals, molds, and pesticides. While this may not be tested for in all lab reports, high-quality CBD products should be devoid of these potentially dangerous contaminants.

Where to shop

  • Dispensaries. If you live near a dispensary or cannabis shop, it’s a smart idea to purchase CBD there. It is more likely that the personnel are educated with the product’s contents and benefits.
  • Health shops. While some retail pharmacies, including CVS and Walgreens, are now selling CBD, many health shops and other businesses are now selling the product. Be aware that dispensary items are more likely to have passed third-party testing than those found at other outlets.
  • Online for delivery. Even though CBD can be purchased on the internet, it is not recommended that you do so on Amazon. If you search for CBD on Amazon, you’ll only find hempseed items that don’t contain CBD. Amazon currently restricts the selling of CBD.

If you’re unsure, get to know the company that makes the CBD product you’re considering. You can tell if a product is ethically created by looking for the red flags described above and in this article. And when it comes to where to buy their products, follow the lead of the producer.

How to use

A newbie to CBD might have a hard time comprehending how to take it, and consuming it might make things even more problematic.

The first step is to determine how much CBD to take. Take a little quantity, like 20 to 40 mg per day, to get your feet wet. If you don’t see any improvement after a week, try increasing the dose by 5 mg. Until you notice a difference, keep doing this.

Look at the box to figure out how many drops to use. The CBD concentration in 1 mL may be specified. If not, you’ll need to figure out how much is in the full bottle.

For one drop of CBD, you’re looking at about 0.25 to 0.5 milliliters of CBD. In order to achieve the desired dosage, you can use as many drops as necessary.

Under the tongue, CBD tinctures or oils are absorbed by the body. Hold it for around 30 seconds after you’ve dropped it there before eating it. CBD enters the bloodstream through the capillaries under the tongue, where it can be absorbed by the body. If you inhale it, you’ll feel the effects far more quickly than if you ingest it.

CBD side effects

CBD is generally well tolerated by the majority of the population. However, it’s critical to be aware of the potential negative consequences. It’s been found in several studies that Known adverse effects of CBD are as follows:

  • diarrhea
  • changes in appetite
  • changes in weight
  • fatigue
  • drowsiness
  • jitteriness

Some drugs may interact with CBD. CBD should not be combined with any medications that have a grapefruit warning on the label. CBD, like grapefruit, has the potential to influence the absorption of some drugs by the body. Before using CBD, you should always consult with your doctor.

Consult with a qualified cannabis clinician if at all possible.

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