From reading, meditation, exercise, strict routines, and lavender to melatonin, the list of things people adopt to get a good sleep is too long. Most of the things rarely actually help. This is why more and more people worldwide are turning to cannabidiol (CBD) as a sleep aid.
Image Source: Pexels
In recent years, there has been a great deal of research into the potential benefits of CBD on humans. There is increasing evidence that CBD may indeed impact sleep. But is it the real deal or just another fad? In this article, we share the truth about CBD and sleep and reveal to you six ways how CBD helps promote sound sleep.
What is CBD?
The cannabis plant contains two main chemical entities or cannabinoids – cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). CBD is derived both from marijuana (cannabis with 0.3% THC or greater) or from hemp (cannabis that has 0.3% THC or less). Unlike THC, CBD doesn’t have psychoactive properties.
CBD is available in various types, including broad-spectrum, full-spectrum, and isolate. Additionally, the CBD market is full of various forms of CBD for a wide range of potential uses – CBD oils, gummies, topicals, and many others.
Many users have claimed that gummies can help with temporary or mild anxiety and improve sleep. Some of the benefits of CBD gummies are:
- Users can pick from a wide variety, including many fun sizes, shapes, and potencies.
- CBD gummies with melatonin can help improve sleep patterns.
- Easy to consume – take one, chew, or swallow like a candy.
Image Source: Pexels
When you decide to buy gummies or any other CBD product, make sure to approach a reliable team of trustworthy professionals.
CBD and Sleep
The human body has an endocannabinoid system (ECS) that helps to regulate essential functions such as mood, appetite, sleep, memory, and pain. The main purpose of the ECS is to bring homeostasis to your body.
The ECS consists of a network of cannabinoid receptors. The two main ones are CB1 and CB2, present in the brain and central nervous system. CBD binds to these receptors and slows the breakdown of the endocannabinoids produced in your body to regulate your sleep/wake cycle. This interaction helps you get sound sleep.
Six Ways CBD Promotes Sound Sleep
Here, we have listed six ways through which CBD helps you doze off after a hectic schedule.
- CBD impacts the circadian clock: The circadian rhythm is a natural internal process that promotes wakefulness and restfulness to help your body sleep and wake up in a regular pattern. Since CBD has a considerable effect on the body’s endocannabinoid system, it has helped us control our sleep/wake cycles, improving conditions like insomnia.
- CBD can increase the time spent asleep: Staying asleep is also a significant cause of sleep disorders. If you struggle with disruptive sleep, CBD can be a savior. CBD has balancing effects on the ECS that help increase the amount of time a person spends asleep, improve disruptive sleep, and sustain restful sleep.
Image Source: Pexels
- CBD reduces anxiety: An anxious mind can make it difficult to fall asleep. CBD can treat various forms of anxiety, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, etc. CBD interacts with GABA receptors and serotonin receptors in the brain. GABA receptors calm the anxious mind and promote relaxation, while serotonin helps stabilize your mood and anxiety levels. As a result of this interaction, CBD can promote a relaxed state of mind and enable you to fall asleep.
- CBD reduces the onset of insomnia: Insomnia is a sleep disorder that makes sleeping difficult for a person. Sleeplessness can lead to mood instability and affect your productivity the next day. Having a potential effect on the ECS and sleep-wake cycle, CBD tackles the root cause of insomnia, including sleeplessness and a groggy state of mind, and reduces the onset of insomnia.
- CBD can cure pain: Pain is one of the most talked-about causes of sleep problems. Disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis can cause debilitating pain. CBD has excellent anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce pain and inflammation through the induction of multiple anti-inflammatory pathways. It is a more natural and holistic cure for pain, helping you sleep better.
- CBD helps relieve headaches and migraines: There is a direct relationship between sleep disorders and headaches. Lack of sleep and excess sleep can trigger migraines and headaches. Many insomnia patients have reported headaches. CBD has been used to treat headaches and migraines for many years now due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Along with the pain-relieving effects, CBD regulates serotonin to provide a calm mind, relieving migraine symptoms and promoting more restful sleep.
Image Source: Pexels
Conclusion
Sleep is a critical component of our overall physical and mental health. CBD is a better and natural alternative to the over-the-counter sleep aids that may have adverse effects. Make sure to maintain a healthy sleep routine to increase the effectiveness of your CBD. Also, if you are already taking sleep medications, it is essential to consult your doctor before including CBD in your sleep routine.
