You might be asking this question, ”Can CBD improve my sleep cycle or assist me in treating sleeping disorders”? You are not wrong for asking this question because most this is one of the frequently asked questions we usually receive from our clients daily. Most of these persons are interested in determining the role of CBD in their sleep cycle and how best they can make use of them.
At the time of writing this article, there was a detailed effort to explore the diverse medicinal uses of CBD in various medical conditions known to man. Data from research has shown how CBD can serve as an anticancer, antitumor, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial agent. Recently, it is observed that there has been an increased interest in the activity of CBD as a promoter of sleep and as a remedy to disorders related to sleep.
Life is known to be generally hectic with a lot of various activities which can prevent us from sleep. In the US, about 70 million people suffer from one form of a sleep disorder or other with chronic insomnia as the leading cause factor of sleep disorders. These sleep disorders have been linked with discomfort at night, depression, and chronic stress.
CBD oils and other CBD related products have been observed to play vital roles in the sleep cycle. It is a non-psychoactive compound that is extracted from the cannabis plant. CBD does not trigger any altered states of consciousness, and so it is one of the reasons why it is a chosen medication for sleep disorders. CBD possesses a high amount of terpene myrcene which functions as a selective natural sedative and it also improves the quality of sleep of individuals.
CBD acts on receptors all through the body known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS affects many of the physiological processes, which may also include the immune system, the body’s hormone levels, pain receptors, and sleep/wake cycle.
The effects of CBD on sleeplessness and insomnia may differ based on an individual’s biology and tolerance. But for persons looking for a possible treatment for sleep disorders, CBD is a safe, non-habit-forming alternative compared to pharmaceuticals that show great promise for those struggling to have a restful sleep.
How does CBD affect Sleep Disorders?
A night of good sleep help to boost the body’s immunity, aids in body repair and also better cognition. In this article, we shall look at how CBD affects sleep disorders.
1. Reduces the rate of depression
One of the leading causes of sleep disorders that have been identified is depression. It affects the whole cognitive response of the body and so changing the sleep cycle. The interaction of CBD with receptors on the endocannabinoid system (ECS) helps to boost the body’s cognitive response, improves the body’s immunity and most importantly improves the sleep cycle by keeping the body relaxed.
2. Reduces chronic pain
Examples of sleep disorders such as sleep apnea have been identified to cause fatigue, increase blood pressure and narrow the airways, and so leading to chronic pain and symptoms related to a sleep disorder. For those struggling with sleeplessness due to acute or chronic pain, CBD provides a good alternative to pharmaceutical pain relievers. CBD helps in reducing pain-induced sleeplessness by doing much work on the symptom themselves rather than providing a sedative effect like many sleep-aids.
3. Acts as an anti-inflammatory agent
PTSD and other related sleep disorders do occur due to emotional trauma or fear which is being triggered in the brain. This emotional stress that is exerted on the brain can greatly affect the sleep cycle. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of CBD can keep a clear check on the radical stress that is exerted on the brain and so promoting sleep.
4. Anti-anxiety properties
The anti-anxiety features of CBD can come in hand in lowering the effects of Restless Leg Syndrome which is a sleep disorder that affects the limbs. CBD interacts with the ECS to keep the brain relaxed and by so doing, it reduces the challenges that are associated with anxiety. CBD helps in regulating cortisol, a stress hormone, which has a great impact on non-REM sleep cycles. A series of reviews have shown that CBD is beneficial for anxiety-related disorders and also helps in increasing sleep quality.
5. Relaxed muscles
Research has shown that CBD is a promising treatment for disorders related to movement, helping to reduce tremors and hypermotility in Parkinson’s disease patients. By lowering muscle tremors, CBD helps patients suffering from insomnia with movement disorders like Huntington’s and Parkinson’s disease.
6. Pregnacy Symptoms
Many women do struggle to get restful sleep during pregnancy due to a variety of factors such as stress, nausea, pain, and general pregnancy-induced insomnia. The World Health Organization (WHO) has discovered that there are no adverse health outcomes from CBD although studies on pregnant women have been thin. We recommend that you consult your physician or CBD expert before using CBD during pregnancy.
7. Eliminate Nightmares
Nightmares can have a bad and negative impact on the overall sleep quality for many people. For individuals who are suffering from REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), characterized by restlessness and increased nightmares, a great night’s rest is just like a dream. In a case series, patients treated with CBD experienced a few side effects of RBD, with no negative side effects.
8. Relief from somnolence
It is good to note that CBD has a dual effect relying on the individual and time of day it is administered. This is because of its ability to regulate the body’s sleep/wake cycles thereby helping to improve wakefulness during daytime and relaxation at night. Day time sleepiness, somnolence, or insomnia, can impact both daytime productivity and also the ability to fall asleep at night. When CBD is administered during daylight hours, it helps promote alertness, leading to a more restful sleep at night.
9. Relief from PTSD
Sleep disorders can also be a result of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), resulting in the REM cycle and sleep disturbance issues. An increasing number of research studies show the effectiveness of using CBD oil for sleep issues related to PTSD. CBD can help to relieve anxiety related to PTSD, which reduced anxiety-induced REM sleep disturbances.
How to use CBD for Sleep
It is pertinent to note that our body chemistry differs, hence, experimenting with dosage is the key to finding what works best for you. CBD can contain a variety of effects depending on dosage, product and time of day and also the individual’s body chemistry. Studies have shown that CBD is best used for short-term sleepiness, as the effects may reduce over time. Products such as tinctures and sublingual sprays provide immediate effects, while oils and edibles tend to release CBD more slowly, thereby helping you stay asleep longer. Use CBD an hour before bedtime and take a night off from counting sleep.
Takeaway
Most people have taken care of their sleeping disorders with CBD oils and other products related to CBD. Rather than depending on the many sleeping pills which may end up causing more harm than good, you can depend on the highly effective CBD products for a sound sleep. Kindly contact us if you have any questions on how CBD helps in giving you a great sleep.
