CBD for Insomnia

Christine Bell • December 13, 2018 • About CBD, Conditions

There’s no question about it. Using CBD oil to help with all manner of maladies is big in the media right now. As acceptance of CBD and its many practical uses continues to grow, we pride ourselves on putting all the facts out there so you can decide for yourself if CBD is the right option for you. Today, we’re going to talk about utilizing CBD for insomnia.

CBD for insomnia at a glance:

What the claims are: In certain doses, CBD oil can cause drowsiness, which, in turn, can make it easier to sleep. CBD has the ability to reduce anxiety, which can be helpful in treating insomnia. CBD can help with chronic pain, which is a potential cause of insomnia.

What the studies show: Preliminary research into cannabis and insomnia suggests that CBD oil may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of insomnia.

What the facts say: Further study is required to determine the full potential of using CBD for insomnia in humans, but case reports and anecdotal evidence suggest that it is effective for many people.

What exactly is insomnia?

Insomnia is a condition that makes it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, 30-40 percent of American adults claim that they have had symptoms of acute insomnia within the last year. 10-15 percent report dealing with chronic insomnia, which is insomnia lasting a month or more at a time.

Insomnia has many causes, ranging from psychological issues such as depression and anxiety to medical conditions, like sleep apnea and acid reflux. There are also environmental factors to consider, where temperature and outside noise can impact quality of sleep. Like most problems, identifying the cause of your insomnia can often be the first step to addressing this condition. With so many potential factors, it is often difficult to isolate a single one.

That’s why CBD for insomnia might be exactly what you’re looking for. It’s sort of a “blanket” approach (see what we did there?) because it addresses several possible causes of insomnia with one remedy.

Can CBD really help me get a good night’s sleep?

For a lot of people, we’re finding CBD can help with sleep. While CBD may specifically affect our endocannabinoid systems in a way that causes our sleep cycles to balance, there hasn’t been much research as to whether that’s the case. However, there are some other reasons CBD may be able to help with sleep as well.

One reason CBD might be helpful in normalizing sleep patterns could be its positive effect on our pain receptors. We haven’t yet unlocked the whys or hows, but more and more studies are showing that CBD can reduce inflammation and provide pain relief in many users. If head or body aches are what’s keeping you up at night, this could be a major breakthrough for you.

Another way CBD might be able to assist people struggling with insomnia is by helping to alleviate their anxiety. With over 40 million people living with anxiety in the U.S. alone and those numbers on the rise, it’s a major problem. We are so heartened as we hear new stories every day from people who are finding relief from this often sleep-stealing condition by adopting a CBD regimen.

It bears mentioning that, unlike sleeping pills which are typically taken at night, often the recommended use of CBD for insomnia can be two-fold. Administering appropriate doses of CBD, usually a smaller one in the morning and again in the evening can improve the strength and consistency of the body’s sleep-wake cycle. This allows for more energy during the day which, in turn, can help the body to enter the all-important non-REM sleep cycle at night.

In a nutshell? Due to its often calming, anxiety-busting effects and potential for pain relief, CBD oil might be just the thing to finally put your insomnia to “rest.”

Medical Studies

As we mentioned, the majority of medical studies have been limited to nonhuman subjects, but preliminary research suggests that CBD may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of insomnia. The National Center for Biotechnology Information reports that subjects who used CBD for sleep slept significantly more than those receiving a placebo.

Unfortunately, government regulations and restrictions have limited traditional clinical studies with control groups to this point. That said, case reports and non-control studies have been promising, producing anecdotal evidence convincing enough for some health care providers to start suggesting CBD for insomnia.

So what’s the bad news, then?

As with anything, there is always a chance that CBD might not help with your insomnia. As for downsides, though, there really aren’t many. CBD oil is generally well-tolerated by most adults. Minor possible side effects can include dry mouth, lightheadedness, and sleepiness (which could be considered a plus for those suffering from insomnia!).

Consulting a doctor about using CBD for insomnia

Compared to the documented side effects of the most commonly prescribed sleep medications, which can include burning or tingling in the extremities, constipation, diarrhea, difficulty keeping balance, headache, heartburn, and restless leg syndrome, CBD for insomnia can be an excellent alternative for some people.

Better yet, unlike many sleeping pills which may be habit-forming, CBD is not considered to have addictive properties. We also like to point out that, while CBD is a compound derived from the cannabis plant, it won’t get you “high.” In fact, it just might help you lay low at bedtime.

Should I adopt a CBD for insomnia regimen?

No two people are the same, so we can’t say CBD oil will work for everyone. And, as always, you should check with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your routine. What we can tell you, though, is that there are a lot of people out there saying goodbye to bad nights after using CBD.

In fact, you might even say that using CBD for insomnia could be a “dream” come true…