CBD for Insomnia; How It Works
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in every three American adults do not get enough sleep, and it is only getting worse.
The American Sleep Apnea Association estimates that the number of people facing difficulty sleeping will rise to 100 million by the middle of the 21st century.
This lack of sleep can lead to health, mood and personality issues. But what can help?
Well, at least 9 million Americans use prescription sleep aid while others seek natural solutions like CBD. In a 2019 Consumer Report survey, 10% of those using CBD said they used it to help them sleep.
Do you know how to use CBD for Insomnia? Read on to learn more.
CBD Oil for Insomnia
Several research studies and anecdotal evidence suggests that CBD may help you sleep peacefully, however, the FDA is yet to approve it for any of its numerous benefits.
But can it help? Is it just a fad?
For that answer, we have to look at what research suggests even though it is still in its infancy. A 2017 review suggests that CBD may be used to improve REM behavior disorder (RBD) and excessive sleepiness during the day.
In another research study on patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease, researchers noted that CBD reduced the symptoms of RBD leading to better quality and quantity of sleep.
However, CBD does not have to aid sleep directly. Most insomnia is caused by other external factors or conditions such as:
- Pain
- Anxiety, PTSD, depression, and other mental disorders.
- Other factors such as discomfort
Anecdotal evidence and research suggest that CBD can help ease up those conditions, and by tackling the root cause of insomnia, CBD can help improve sleep.
But how to use CBD for insomnia is still a matter of personal choice.
Can CBD Oil Cause Insomnia?
Insomnia is not a known side effect of CBD, especially because it has no psychoactive properties and is known for its calming effect that can help reduce insomnia.
However, it is not a sedative. It will not automatically get you to sleep. Some studies, such as this 2006 preclinical study suggest that CBD may increase wakefulness in rats during their inactive cycle.
Due to its benefits like helping reduce anxiety, a related cause for insomnia, it is unlikely that it can cause a lack of sleep. More research is however still required.
How to Use CBD for Insomnia
Whichever method you use will deliver CBD to your system, the difference is how fast the results will kick in, how long they will last and your comfort.
Some people wonder if CBD pills will help with insomnia or will vape provide better results.
The fact is, CBD works the same way regardless of the method of delivery. Here are 3 effective ways to use CBD for insomnia.
1. Edibles and Pills
Probably the most popular way to use CBD. Edibles are just everyday foods infused with CBD. Today, you can find CBD in a lot of products, from coffees to gummies or the usual cookies.
It is also made into CBD pills that can help with insomnia.
The major drawback of this method is the time it takes for the effects to kick in; you might have to wait for up to an hour to experience effects.
Tinctures
This includes or sprays taken into the mouth.
This method is quicker with effects kicking in after 15 to 30 minutes.
However, you must be ready to experience the taste of raw CBD oil in your mouth.
Vaping
This method delivers CBD into the bloodstream faster than any other method.
You may start feeling the effects in as little as two minutes.
The main disadvantage is some solvents in CBD cartridges may be harmful and may irritate the nose and eyes or increase the risk of getting asthma and cancer.
How Much CBD Should I Take for Insomnia?
Most products on the Great CBD Shop online store come with a recommended dosage. However, there is no universally accepted dosage for insomnia. Why?
Different bodies react differently to CBD, especially due to factors such as body weight, metabolism, and tolerance.
If the recommended dosage does not work for you, you may increase the dosage gradually until you hit that sweet spot.
CBD is well tolerated by the human body so there is no risk of overdose.
4 Best CBD Products for Insomnia
Here are some of the best CBD products that may help improve your sleep:
1. Blue Moon Hemp CBD Gummies with Melatonin
Trouble sleeping? If you prefer edible CBD sleep aid, then these gummies are your best bet. If you are wondering how they will help, these gummies contain melatonin, a popular sleeping aid.
Melatonin combined with CBD’s calming effect is exactly what you need to have a good night’s sleep.
Your body produces melatonin naturally. It is a hormone that the brain releases in response to the decrease of light as the day ends. In short, it regulates the body’s inner clock. If your body does not produce enough melatonin on its own, you may want to try this CBD product for sleep aid.
These Blue Moon hemp gummies come in 75 mg and 150 mg strength options.
They are also CBD isolate based meaning they contain 0% THC. So no, they will not make you high.
Other ingredients include isomalt, maltitol, beta carotene and anthocyanin for coloring, sodium citrate, citric acid, natural cherry, apple, and orange extracts; ensuring you have gummies in your favorite flavors.
For the dosage, the best method is to start small and increase gradually until you find the amount that works for you. This CBD and melatonin combination will have you relaxed and you will be in dreamland before you know it.
2. Green Roads CBD for Sleep – Sleepy Z’s
This is another product that applies the CBD’s relaxing power and melatonin to help you have the sleep your body has been yearning for. The gummies are shaped like the letter Z, further signifying what you will be having a few moments after you take it. And the best part is, you do not have to worry about the dosage.
One thing that stands out about Sleepy Z’s is that they are made using CBD from full organic and pesticide-free hemp. Green Roads is known for using science to create some of the best CBD products available in the market.
Sleepy Z’s is no exception, the company claims it is pharmacist formulated and produced under their team of pharmacists and botanists.
If you are wondering about how to use CBD for insomnia, Sleepy Z’s comes in 50 mg CBD potency per bag. Each gummy delivers 25 mg CBD and 0.5 mg melatonin to ensure you have the perfect way to unwind in the evening.
The recommended dosage is one gummy (25 mg) before going to bed.
Other ingredients include pectin, sugar, natural terpenes, citric acid, coloring, and natural flavors.
3. CBDFX Blue Raspberry CBD Vape Juice
Vape juice to help you sleep? You want the effects to kick in faster? Vape CBD juice has one of the fastest absorption rates of all CBD consumption methods.
The CBD is inhaled directly into the lungs where it is absorbed into the bloodstream. No first-pass effects like in edibles. This Raspberry CBD vape juice from CBDFX ensures a top flavor experience.
Apart from its calming effects, CBDFX Blue may also have other benefits including aiding eye health, as raspberries contain antioxidant zeaxanthin, promoting brain power through antioxidant vitamins C and E. The content in raspberries may also help digestion.
This CBD sleep aid vape is made from propylene glycol, CBD, vegetable glycerine and blue raspberry.
It comes in a 30 ml bottle with potency ranging from 250 mg, 500 mg to 1000mg.
4. Green Roads CBD Terpenes Oil Pineapple Express
Think about taking CBD oil for insomnia? This Green Roads sublingual tincture will ensure you get the results you are looking for.
By infusing the terpenes from the pineapple Express strain, this oil helps you take advantage of the entourage effect where CBD works in synergy with other cannabinoids and terpenes in the hemp plant. This is more effective than taking CBD alone.
This tincture is also available in other profiles including Strawberry AK and Blueberry OG. It also comes in two potencies, 100 mg and 300 mg in a 15ml bottle.
The recommended CBD oil dosage for insomnia is 0.5 ml to 1 ml under the tongue and keep at least 30 seconds before swallowing for maximum absorption.
All four products contain 0 THC.
Take Away
While in some cases you might need to see your doctor for sleep disorders, CBD seems like an excellent natural alternative to most pharmaceutical sleeping pills. Apart from impacting the sleep-wake cycle, CBD may also help remedy other conditions that may lead to sleep disorders such as anxiety, pain, and depression.
As always, feel free to check out our online CBD store for premium CBD products.