In the beginning, there were sleeping pills. They worked okay for a while, but they also had their fair share of side effects. So people went looking for something better. In came naturopathic medicine with its all-natural sleep aids, and then eventually CBD oil.
Sleep problems affect millions of people around the world every day. According to a 2014 study, about 16% of Canadians have difficulties falling and staying asleep, or experience non-restorative sleep. In the United States, a survey from 2007 pegged the number at closer to 20%, while the UK puts it at around 50%.
In short, a lot of people need help when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep.
So can CBD oil help you get that peaceful slumber? Let’s look at the science behind CBD and sleep, as well as some anecdotal evidence from real CBD users. We’ll also go over any potential for side effects, what to look out for when trying a new product and where to find good quality products made in the U.S., Europe, or other parts of the world.
What is CBD?
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is one of more than 60 compounds found in cannabis that belong to a class of molecules called cannabinoids. Of these compounds, CBD has no intoxicating effects like those caused by THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the primary psychoactive component of cannabis. In fact, CBD can work to counteract the sleep-inducing effects of THC.
CBD oil comes in many forms, including tinctures, concentrates, capsules, and topical applications. It’s typically taken orally or added to food or drink, but it can also be inhaled.
There are also CBD vape products that people use to self-administer the substance. Research shows that taking CBD oil orally can reduce anxiety in social anxiety disorder, for example, while https://www.heraldnet.com/national-marketplace/10-best-cbd-oil-for-anxiety/ suggests it could help people with insomnia fall and stay asleep.
About Insomnia
Though you might not think about it every day, insomnia is a significant problem for many people. The dissatisfaction with sleep that most people experience in their lives doesn’t always reach clinical insomnia levels, but it’s still enough to significantly diminish the quality of life.
According to the National Institutes of Health, about 4% of adults around the world have insomnia, and between 5% and 10% have what’s called short-term insomnia, often brought about by a stressful event. Meanwhile, between 1% and 5% have chronic insomnia, which goes beyond three months and tends to be more persistent over time.
Can CBD help you sleep?
It’s important to keep in mind that CBD oil doesn’t go hand in hand with insomnia. While there is promising evidence that it could help people fall and stay asleep, that only applies to specific kinds of insomnia conditions.
When looking at all types of insomnia, including chronic, short-term, and intermittent, studies show mixed results about the effects of CBD. However, many testimonials and anecdotal reports indicate that it can help induce sleep and improve the overall quality of your rest.
CBD oil exhibits anti-anxiety properties that could be helpful to insomniacs by easing their worries about falling asleep. This is because CBD’s relaxing effects counterbalance the stimulatory effects of THC, which can help you stay alert and awake.
In a small, placebo-controlled study published in the journal Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, volunteers who took CBD oil before bedtime reported more sleep time after taking it than those who didn’t take any CBD. On average, participants fell asleep faster and got a higher percentage of deep sleep.
Conclusion
You may have seen CBD oil marketed as a sleep aid, but there are no clinical trials to support its efficacy. However, evidence suggests that it can help people fall and stay asleep when they have trouble doing so, thereby improving the overall quality of their rest.
CBD also has anti-anxiety properties that ease stress and promote relaxation. This can help insomniacs deal with their heightened worries about falling asleep.
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