Anecdotal evidence tells us that CBD oil can be used to support individuals who maintain a healthy lifestyle including promoting relaxation and maintaining healthy joint mobility. One very important use of CBD oil is the effect it can have on individuals who strive to get a restful night’s sleep. This article will help you understand the importance of sleep, the need for promoting healthy sleep patterns in the United States, and how CBD oil works inside the body.
What is sleeplessness?
An inability to fall asleep easily, or to get a good night’s sleep can be frequent or occassional. Not being able to fall asleep on a regular basis could be a sign of insomnia, and for this you need to see a doctor.
It is estimated that 50 to 70 million Americans have at least an occasional inability to fall asleep. A 2016 study by the CDC showed that 33% of Americans are not getting adequate sleep. So, there is no denying that restful sleep is an issue that many Americans are facing daily, but why does it matter?
Why restful sleep is so important
Sleep is a vital piece to the puzzle of overall wellness. Without adequate sleep, the brain simply cannot function properly. It’s safe to say that anyone who has flown overnight to a different time zone, stayed up all night with a fussy baby, or lost a night of sleep for any reason can understand the connection between sleep and brain function. If you’ve experienced sleeplessness, then you know the feeling of brain fog the next day. You might have trouble focusing or staying awake during the day if you lose a night of sleep, and this is because sleep allows your mind and body to recharge and repair. Sleep is essential for normal memory consolidation and processing and can even help maintain your immune system in a state of optimal function, helping your body stay healthy and in balance.
Your body contains an internal clock that influences when you feel awake and tired. The 24-hour cycle that your internal clock functions on is known as the circadian rhythm. Your circadian rhythm can be thrown off by insufficient sleep or jet lag from changing time zones. Although mainly responsible for sleep patterns, your circadian rhythm also can influence body functions such as hormone secretion, digestion, eating habits, and body temperature. Your hormones and metabolism play a vital role in overall health. So ultimately, you want your internal clock to function optimally, and a regular sleep pattern is one of the best ways to ensure this.
How can do people use CBD for sleep?
CBD is only one of the many cannabinoids that are found in the cannabis plant. These powerful compounds are what help CBD oil function inside of the body. One of the cannabinoids that makes CBD helpful for sleep is the cannabinoid, CBN. CBN stands for cannabinol and is derived from THC (another common cannabinoid that you’ve likely heard of). Although THC is responsible for the psychoactive properties in some types of cannabis, CBN does not contain these properties. CBN functions similarly to THC but without the psychoactive effects. Taking CBD products that contain CBN will not cause a “high” sensation.
Every human has an endocannabinoid system (ECS) inside of their body. This complex system is where cannabinoids are processed and it is responsible for the effects that CBD has on the body. The ECS contains two main receptors: CB1 and CB2.
CBN binds to both the CB1 and CB2 receptors and acts as a partial agonist. When CBN binds to the CB1 receptors, this causes sedative effects. CBN has been found to strongly induce sleep and its sensitive properties were found to prolong sleep times. There have not yet been any human studies that look at CBN and chronic sleeplessness but there are many ongoing trials happening now, and good evidence that it can help ease the challenge of occasional sleeplessness.
How to use CBD oil for sleep
Some CBD products include additional cannabinoids and terpenes which help the CBD function optimally inside the body. When shopping for CBD products, we recommend looking for something that is broad spectrum or full spectrum to achieve the most well-rounded results. Try to find a CBD product that contains CBN if you plan to use this product to improve your ability to fall sleep soundly at night.
If you’re preparing to use CBD oil for the very first time, it is recommended that you start with a lower dose or less potent CBD product. All CBD products will be labeled with some type of dosage or concentration (for example: 500 milligrams, 1000 milligrams, etc.) — choose the least strong option when starting out. We like to say start low and go slow; it may take time to find your optimal dose but be careful and cautious when increasing your dose. Most people will land somewhere between 20 – 40 mg of CBD in divided doses to optimize their ECS.
CBD products for sleep can come in a variety of forms. Some CBD products are in the form of tinctures that are ingested, in the form of capsules to be taken by mouth, or gummies that you can simply eat.
If you plan to take any CBD products that are specifically formulated to promote a restful night’s sleep, then you should take your CBD about an hour before going to sleep. Because CBD products that contain CBN can have strong calmative properties, it may be wise to try them for the first time when you don’t have to wake up early the following day.
It is recommended that adults sleep for at least seven to nine hours every night. Are you meeting these requirements? If you’re waking up everyday and still feeling worn out, your body may be trying to tell you something. Incorporating CBD products into your routine might support you in getting the sleep quality you are looking for and help you live a healthy, balanced lifestyle. We recommend using a tracking device like an Apple Watch or Oura ring to get the most accurate data on your individual sleep patterns.
CBD Health Collection prides itself on producing the finest quality products in the industry. We invite you to shop all CBD products here.
