Your Best Sleep with CBD | Go to Bed Calm

Poor sleep is a significant public health concern. Approximately sixty million Americans suffer from poor sleep. Quality sleep plays a vital role in maintaining optimal health throughout your life. It impacts almost every aspect of your wellbeing from daily performance and weight, to your mood and memory. If you are currently struggling to achieve a good night’s sleep, it’s imperative that you take action. CBD oil for sleep is increasingly popular. Curious why?

In order to combat sleep issues, many are now turning to quality CBD sources. Early research is showing that this non-psychoactive remedy may promote a more restful sleep. 

Does CBD Make You Sleepy? 

When it comes to sleep issues, a CBD sleep aid may make all the difference. Not only should a full spectrum hemp extract, promote deeper sleep, it may also help restlessness, without next-day drowsiness. That is one of the many reasons the potential CBD oil has for sleep is so exciting.

Standing for cannabidiol, CBD does not produce the same effect as THC. Early research indicates hemp extracts with CBD offer various benefits without the associated high. Currently, CBD is predominantly being studied in relation to sleep, anxiety and pain. In the coming years research will hopefully validate its efficacy as a natural low-risk alternative to conventional pharmaceutical sleep aids.

What The Research Says

A number of studies have reported on the relationship between sleep and CBD, including this 2018 study, published in Medicines. A total of 509 patients with insomnia were observed in relation to sleep and cannabis use. It was found that on average, cannabis reduced symptom severity by -4.5 points on a 10-point scale. 

CBD also relieved symptoms more than THC. The researchers concluded that cannabis can improve insomnia symptoms and compared to conventional medications, CBD is generally safer. Harvard Medical School outlined some risks associated with pharmaceutical sleep aids: they can be habit-forming, may cause daytime sleepiness and sleepwalking. 

A more recent study, investigated whether or not CBD would improve sleep and/or anxiety. In this case the addition of CBD as an adjunct to typical treatment decreased anxiety in 79.2% of the 72 patients and improved sleep scores in 66.7% of patients. 

A review also examined the available research up to 2014, indicating that CBD offers therapeutic potential for insomnia. More specifically, CBD may offer promise for REM sleep behavior and reduce daytime drowsiness. Cannabis may also reduce nightmares and improve chronic pain — both of which hinder sleep quality. 

CBD, CBC, and CBN

Full spectrum hemp oils with CBD is demonstrating effectiveness for sleep quality. Other secondary cannabinoids may also prove beneficial.

Researchers discovered the cannabinoid CBN first. The natural plant aging process creates this particular chemical compound. Interacting with your endocannabinoid system, it can impact everything from immune function to focus and mood to energy. There are also indications that CBN acts as a powerful sedative, as well as a pain-reliever and anti-inflammatory. 

CBC was discovered over five decades ago and is still one of the “big six” cannabinoids studied in medical research. CBC has promising benefits, like its ability to reduce pain and inflammation. Importantly, thought, it also works synergistically with CBD also known as the entourage effect. While research is still in its infancy, CBD, and more specifically, full spectrum high CBD extracts, show promise for sleep issues. Also, each individual is unique in terms of their own body and desired medical goals. Meaning, doses should be adjusted for select users.  

CBD Oil Dosage for Sleep 

As suggested above, the best CBD for sleep tends to be found in full spectrum products that offer a synergistic effect. When it comes to the optimal dosage, you need to first understand the difference between CBD isolate and full spectrum hemp extract which is high in CBD.

Unlike CBD isolate, which offers a singular compound, full spectrum hemp extract contains not only CBD, but also other key cannabinoids.

While many assume that a CBD isolate would be more effective, research is beginning to show that full spectrum or "whole plant oil" may actually be more effective, taken at lower doses.

CBD is generally considered safe, but it can induce minor side effects at extremely high doses. As stated in this study, subjects tolerated up to 1,500 CBD mg/day.

As mentioned, the best dose will be based on variables which differ from one individual to the next. In order to find your best personalized dose, you can start with 10.5 mg at least once daily and adjust accordingly.

When to Take CBD for Sleep

If you're aiming to improve your ability to sleep and stay asleep, it's important to take a CBD product at the most optimal time. While this time period may range depending on your sleep disorder, sleep schedule, and the CBD product itself, it's generally ideal to take your dosage before bed.

However, many individuals take CBD during the day without inducing a sleepy state. In fact, dosing CBD throughout the day may actually help you focus, as you relax your body and mind. 

When taken before bed, you can look to address concerns like pain and anxiety that can cause poor sleep. Calming your mind, can improve overall sleep quality and in turn, enhance overall recovery, especially related to inflammation and acute injuries.

This means that although CBD helps impact your ability to sleep, it also alleviates conditions that complicate sleep issues, enhancing its overall effect. However, even if you do not live with pain or anxiety, CBD can still actively target your body’s sleep-wake cycle, acting as a natural sleep aid. 

Practice Good Sleep Habits

To support the potential effects CBD may have on sleep, you should also practice healthy sleep habits. For example: avoid caffeine late in the day, maintain a consistent sleep schedule and reduce exposure to light at least an hour before bed. 

If you are in need of a high-performance, organically-grown, full-spectrum hemp extract, Plant People can assist your efforts. In addition to better sleep, you can also benefit from formulations that target everything from pain to inflammation. Learn more about our story, and how you can benefit here. 

Reviewed by Gabe Kennedy

 Co-Founder of Plant People, Gabe Kennedy is an acclaimed chef and entrepreneur. Growing up in a house of healers and herbalists, he is passionate about the power of food as a tool for health, and actualized this passion and belief system into his company, Plant People. Named to Forbes 30 under 30 Gabe has shaped menus and cooked his way around the world with his mission to promote a more communal, green and healthy world.

 Gabe is a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America and Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. You can learn more about his work at his website.