Whether you’re experiencing increased anxiety as the world returns to some form of normality, or maybe you have always struggled with winding down and settling in for a night of restful sleep. No matter why, if you struggle to drift off each night, you’ve probably been desperately searching for a way to help your sleep challenges and get the rest you deserve.
Research suggests that adults should sleep for at least seven hours every night. By getting the sleep you need, you can help your body run at maximum efficiency, and you’ll feel better too – both mentally and physically. But that is much easier said than done with sleep anxiety soaring through our population and rooting itself as a firm issue amongst many of us.
CBD for sleep
CBD for sleep isn’t a new phenomenon – it has been ingrained in society as an aid to relieve anxiety and thus improve sleep for some time now. Still, the question is, does it work, is it safe, and how do you incorporate CBD into your day-to-day routine to help maintain a healthy sleep cycle?
Don’t forget there are many ways to consume CBD these days – whether you opt for CBD oil, CBD Gummies in the UK, or even bath bombs – you’re likely to find a method that suits you.
Sleep Cycles
To understand why CBD can help you sleep and how to take it, we need to look at our sleep cycle to understand why anxiety makes it hard to nod off and see when CBD could help.
There are four main stages to your sleep cycle, they are:
- NREM Stage 1 – the transition between being awake and asleep. It lasts around 5 to 10 minutes.
- NREM Stage 2 – Body temperature drops, heart rate slows, and the brain begins to sleep spindles. It lasts approximately 20 minutes.
- NREM Stage 3 – muscles relax, blood pressure and breathing rate drop, and deepest sleep.
- REM Sleep – the brain becomes more active, the body relaxes and immobilizes, dreams occur, and eyes move rapidly.
So how and why can CBD help you sleep? In terms of your sleep cycle, CBD can help reduce anxiety-induced REM sleep, helping you wake well-rested. Let’s delve a little more into the hows, whys, and whats of CBD for sleep cycle maintenance.
Why does CBD make you feel sleepy?
In recent years it has been discovered that our body contains an advanced biochemical communication system known as the endocannabinoid system. The complex cannabinoid receptors are found throughout the body and in the central nervous system, where sleep is mainly regulated.
A symptom of endocannabinoid deficiency is difficulty sleeping, and researchers are looking into how cannabinoid supplements like CBD oil or CBD gummies can help improve sleep. So far, findings point to endocannabinoids working with proteins and receptors in the brain to help you fall asleep by regulating your sleep-wake cycle.
Terpenes found in CBD, particularly myrcene, are believed to have a sedative effect which is why they are the basis of aromatherapy. With the combination of a reduction in anxiety and pain, it is believed CBD can help people relax so that natural sleep mechanisms can fully function.
CBDs effect on sleep quality
It seems after some research that CBD helps improve sleep quality. CBD may work by reducing the amount of time it takes to fall asleep, thus increasing the amount of deep, restful sleep you can have and minimizing certain factors that often disrupt a person’s sleep cycle.
CBD products can shift your body from REM rest into the deeper stages of NREM sleep, but over a long time, THC products can decrease your quality of sleep in the long term, so always make sure you research how and what CBD you opt for.
Can CBD help with Insomnia?
Research suggests that CBD’s ability to help with insomnia depends mainly on the dosage the person consumes. A lower dose of CBD can have a stimulating effect and increase wakefulness, whereas higher levels of CBD do the opposite inducing a sedative effect and helping you drift off.
Short-term usage of CBD for sleep can help with insomnia by reducing the time it takes to nod off and increasing slow-wave sleep. But you should once again remember long-term use can lead to dependency, and sleep disruption is a primary withdrawal symptom. Always take any supplement with care and make sure you use it safely.
Is CBD safe?
CBD use has been on the rise over recent years for many reasons, including improving sleep cycles. But many people may be anxious over whether it is safe? Unfortunately, CBD products are unregulated by the FDA so, it is hard to know what they contain.
Potential risks:
- Regulation – CBD is not FDA regulated – it is hard to know what is in each product.
- Dangers – CBD can cause drowsiness, so you must be careful when driving and working, etc.
- Medical side effects – CBD can interact with other medications, including antidepressants and blood thinners.
If you are anxious about implementing CBD into your sleep routine, do your research first and always buy from a reputable company.
The bottom line
So there you have it, everything we know about CBD and sleep and how you can use it to help maintain a healthy sleep cycle. Remember – everybody reacts differently to CBD – you must do your research, correctly dose, and follow all guidelines. Hopefully, soon you’ll be enjoying a restful night’s sleep.
