Does CBD Help with Sleep Disorders?
Whether it's from day-to-day stress, underlying health conditions, or environmental factors, bad sleep has become something of an epidemic in the 21st century. In America alone, experts estimate that up to 70 million adults regularly struggle with insomnia and other sleep disorders. And far from being only a nighttime issue, these problems can have serious consequences for your ability to function during the day and overall health.
Historically, many people have turned to a powerful sleep aid, generally prescribed by a doctor or sleep medicine specialist, to help combat symptoms and provide relief. In the modern era, however, an increasing number of less nuclear options have come into popularity, with products such as CBD oil or edibles seeing a massive spike in use. But how does CBD help with sleep, and how do you know whether you should include it in your nightly routine?
In this breakdown, we'll go over some of the most common sleep disorders, how CBD might help, and general guidelines for a better night's sleep.
Sleep Conditions That May Benefit from CBD
Sleep medicine is a diverse and complex issue with countless conditions, variations of conditions, and compounding symptoms. Because of this complexity, it can be challenging to nail down the exact cause of your sleep problems. Even so, we've listed four of the most common sleep conditions that may be helped by taking CBD.
Chronic Pain
Despite the fact that more than 20% of all American adults struggle with chronic pain, relatively few people think to categorize the condition as a sleep disorder. Nonetheless, persistent pain can contribute to severe sleep problems and sleep deprivations, and finding ways to alleviate it can result in substantially better sleep.
Fortunately, CBD has been shown to have impressive effects on chronic pain relief, and more and more people are turning to CBD products over prescription painkillers for help.
Anxiety Disorders
Racing thoughts, restlessness, and nagging worries can all contribute to sleep deprivation by keeping you awake long after you decide to go to bed. Luckily, many experts say that the right CBD product can help massively decrease anxiety due to the way that CBD interacts with serotonin receptors throughout the body.
Important to note, however, is that some people experience an increase in anxiety when exposed to THC, another component found in certain hemp-derived CBD products. For that reason, it may be best to stick with products that use CBD isolate and thus contain no THC whatsoever.
Insomnia
While most people think of insomnia as a single condition, the truth is that it can have many different causes, including things like chronic pain, which we've already listed. For insomnia caused by so-called "external" factors, CBD may help mitigate symptoms and allow you to fall asleep more easily.
CBD's health benefits for insomnia caused by chemical imbalances in the brain, however, require more research. That said, experts are hopeful that cannabidiol and other compounds from cannabis plants may provide considerable relief for those suffering from insomnia.
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
REM sleep behavior disorder is a condition that causes patients to physically act out their dreams, resulting in poor sleep quality and frequent waking. Usually, this condition is found in older patients with neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's.
While further research is needed regarding the relationship between CBD and this condition, early research suggests that a proper dose of CBD may significantly reduce the negative effects of REM sleep behavior disorder.
How Much CBD Should You Take?
Clinical data surrounding the use of CBD for sleep disorders such as insomnia have tested doses ranging between 25mg and 1,500mg a day. That said, we always suggest starting with a low dose of CBD and slowly increasing that dose every couple of days until you find an amount that works for your needs without causing any side effects.
Remember that different CBD and cannabis products will have different potencies, ratios, and even types of cannabinoids, so take the time to find the right dose for each new CBD product you try.
Other Ways to Improve Sleep Quality
Beyond over-the-counter or clinical sleep medicine, there are some simple ways you can promote better sleep health and amplify the effects of any supplement you take. We suggest the following:
No Screens in the Bedroom
Many of us are guilty of staying glued to our laptops, cellphones, or even smart watches long after we turn in for bed. If this is true for you, consider implementing a zero-tolerance policy for screens in the bedroom. If you use an alarm on your phone, instead, try a low-light bedside alarm to reduce the temptation to scroll endlessly.
No Caffeine 6 Hours Before Bed (At Least)
Studies suggest that caffeine consumption within six hours of bedtime has the most significant negative effects on high-quality sleep. That said, giving yourself an even larger caffeine break before bedtime may be advised, as the so-called "half-life" of caffeine can last as long as 9.5 hours.
Eliminate Light Sources
While removing screens from the bedroom can help reduce distraction and light sources, some people may need to go even further by making their sleeping space as dark as possible. For instance, we suggest trying blackout curtains to completely block light from street lamps, passing cars, or other sources that may trickle in through your windows.
Try a Noise Machine
One of the most tried-and-true sleep habits is a white noise machine, which plays sounds such as rain, distant thunder, or ocean waves to help block out inconsistent environmental noise and help you fall asleep faster.
How Wellgenix Can Help
With most CBD brands, you're typically limited to full-spectrum or broad-spectrum products, both of which include complex formulas with multiple cannabis compounds. While this may offer some benefits in certain situations, it also comes with an increased risk of adverse reactions to THC or false positives on drug tests. Our line of Süth products counteracts this by using only pure CBD isolate to achieve its health benefits.
To take those benefits one step further, our Süth Night-Night mints include a healthy dose of magnesium and L-theanine, both of which have been shown to help people fall asleep faster and get better rest throughout the night. Additionally, our mints dissolve and go to work quickly without leaving the unpleasant aftertaste of CBD oil or sticking in your teeth like CBD gummies. That way, you can simply take one mint right before bed without having to get back up to brush your teeth or rinse your mouth.
If you're ready to start taking control of your sleep and building better habits, consider trying one of our CBD products and seeing the difference they can make.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can CBD help obstructive sleep apnea?
Although CBD products may help mitigate symptoms that frequently come along with sleep apnea, there's little current research to suggest that it treats the disorder directly.
Is CBD safe to take with prescription medication?
If you're currently taking prescription medication or planning to begin, we highly suggest speaking with a medical professional to discuss whether adding CBD to your nightly routine is right for you. Though drug interactions are relatively rare, safety should be your first priority.
Will a CBD product show up on a drug test?
While it is possible for full-spectrum CBD products to trigger a false positive on a drug test, products like our line of Süth products avoid that risk entirely by using only the purest form of CBD, known as CBD isolate.