Your body is not meant to function without sleep for long periods. In fact, lack of sleep is a common issue for 25% of Americans. It is estimated that 1 in 4 people in the US suffers some form of insomnia on a regular basis. Rather than turn to prescription medication that carries a host of side effects, many are opting for a more natural approach.
Demanding schedules, family obligations, and sleep disorders (such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and insomnia) have many seeking over-the-counter remedies that don’t leave you feeling groggy in the morning, like your head is in a fog. The solution to our sleep problems may lie with a product that has been grown for industrial purposes for centuries.
What is CBD?
CBD is a natural product derived from hemp, a variety of cannabis, but without the THC to which many people are sensitive. Hemp is naturally low in THC and does not produce a psychoactive response. In other words, you will not get high from CBD. What CBD does is helps your body relax and get restful sleep without any lingering effects in the morning. CBD is legal in all 50 states so long as it contains less than 0.3% THC and will not affect drug testing.
How CBD Helps You Sleep
CBD is helpful for sleep because it can alleviate conditions that complicate sleep like nervousness, anxiety, and pain. Soothing your main nervous system can have a relaxing effect, helping you let go of panic and anxiety, and also relaxing painful swelling from conditions such as arthritis or low straight back pain.
The reason CBD is so beneficial for sleep is that it eliminates many of the things that keep you from being able to fall asleep, like nervousness, anxiety, and chronic pain from arthritis and other physical disorders. The brain has endocannabinoid receptors that interact with the naturally occurring cannabinoids produced by CBD and cannabis. These receptors regulate the sleep-wake cycles and pain receptors in the body. CBD improves sleep and has been used to lower blood pressure, improve mood, and lessen anxiety.
Side Effects of CBD
Since it is a natural product, CBD has little to no known side effects. Some people who may be sensitive to CBD have reported occasional diarrhea, but side effects are mild and very rare.
How to Use CBD for Sleep
There is no exact dosing standard for CBD products. You can find your perfect dose with a little trial and error, and with these guidelines for using CBD for sleep. For the best results, use CBD as you would any supplement for healthy sleep. Take a dose approximately 1 hour before going to bed. Start out with the lowest dose to see how your body reacts to it. If it is well-tolerated, then raise the dose in small increments until you find the right amount that works best for you.
As with any other treatments for insomnia, it helps to have good sleep habits such as going to bed at the same time every night, avoiding caffeine after 6 pm, and restricting the use of blue-light emitting screens in the evening. Good sleep habits boost the efficiency of CBD and other supplements.
CBD is a good choice for helping you relax and fall asleep naturally. If you suffer from anxiety, stress, or just have trouble settling down at night, it can help relieve that tension and allow you to get a good night’s rest.