Introduction
There are several tried-and-true methods for improving your sleep quality, such as avoiding blue light and alcohol in the hours before bed, using room-darkening curtains, and keeping the temperature cold. However, an increasing number of firms are offering products that feature a novel component for improved sleep: CBD.
CBD — short for cannabidiol — is one of the most significant chemical components discovered in the cannabis plant and is used in everything from fashionable lotions and lattes to massage oils. While the benefits of CBD differ from person to person, studies suggest that it can have a soothing impact on people.
Let’s take a look at the current state of science and what it has to say about using CBD products to help you to achieve a restful night’s sleep.
The Endocannabinoid System
Understanding the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is critical for understanding how CBD may affect sleep. The term “cannabinoid,” which appears in the system’s name, refers to the active elements of the cannabis sativa plant that influence the ECS.
The endocannabinoid system is a neurochemical network in the body that governs a variety of biological activities, such as emotions, pain, and sleep. While the body naturally produces endocannabinoid molecules, cannabinoids from exogenous sources, such as CBD, can impact the body via the ECS.
The hypothalamus, a peanut-sized region deep within the brain, is rich in cannabinoid receptors and regulates our sleep-wake cycle’s circadian rhythm. Circadian rhythms are 24-hour cycles that enable our bodies to sleep at night and wake up, among other things.
CBD and the Sleep Cycle
CBD has a biphasic impact, which indicates that low and high dosages can have opposing effects. These effects differ for each individual person as well. Whereas melatonin relaxes you before sleep, CBD might make you feel awake when taken in low or moderate dosages.
CBD usage has been linked to enhanced sleep in larger levels, according to research. Researchers discovered that sleep gains reduced month after month in one 3-month trial in which patients with anxiety received 25 mg to 50 mg of CBD.
Researchers are still investigating the complicated interactions between CBD and sleep. A recent research on people with Parkinson’s disease found that cannabidiol might lessen REM (rapid eye movement) sleep disturbances. A 2019 sleep-quality study discovered that when individuals used CBD, they had more better sleep than interrupted sleep.
However, when it comes to CBD and sleep, most data support the need for more research. (For example, one ongoing large-scale clinical trial is investigating the effects of CBD on individuals with diagnosed insomnia).
CBD’s long-term usefulness is unknown because research is still in its early stages.
CBD and Insomnia
The hypothalamus is involved in various sleep-related activities, including body temperature regulation and sleep pattern synchronization. CBD can assist persons with insomnia because it regulates stress by interacting with the hypothalamus. Insomnia is caused by an excessive stress response that spills over into sleep when we are not attempting to absorb conscious trauma.
CBD, by counteracting hormones, can stop this dysregulated loop of stress hormone overactivation and balance the sleep and waking schedule. To learn more about this topic, check out https://www.insidecbd.net/blog/cbd-and-sleep-a-natural-solution-for-restful-nights for a breakdown of using CBD to help with insomnia.
