Does CBD Make You Sleepy?

Alexandra Campbell • January 22, 2019 • About CBD, FAQ

Does CBD make you sleepy? It’s a valid question and one that a lot of potential CBD-lovers are asking. Before diving into the world of CBD–a world that is continually expanding— people want to know what the possible effects of CBD are.

Unfortunately, consistent information out there about CBD is scarce at the moment. Although the body of research is growing substantially, it’s still limited in scope. Be that as it may, we’ve gathered all the available information to answer the question, does CBD make you sleepy?

Does CBD Make You Sleepy?

The fact that so many people are wondering whether CBD makes you sleepy shows that there’s some kernel of truth in the statement, right? Well, not necessarily.

The short and sweet answer is no, CBD does not make you sleepy. The rumor that it does most likely began under the assumption that CBD works the same way as the other uber-popular cannabinoid THC–the sedating one that gets you stoned. People are assuming that CBD is guilty by association.

However, CBD’s supposed soporific qualities couldn’t be further from the truth, because of one major reason.

CBD and THC: What’s The Difference?

CBD (Cannabidiol), is one of over 100 cannabinoids located in the Cannabis sativa plant. THC, another cannabinoid present in the plant, is the one that’s responsible for delivering the psychoactive effects correlated with getting high.

While the two cannabinoids share several similarities, one of the apparent differences between CBD and THC is that CBD is non-psychoactive. With that, CBD has become a widely celebrated remedial alternative for people all over the U.S. and who are living with many different conditions.

However, CBD may help with sleep issues. Read below for the most relevant information about sleep issues as they connect to CBD so you can have your own informed answer to the question does CBD make you sleepy.

If CBD Helps With Insomnia, Shouldn’t it Make Me Sleepy?

Let’s take a look at CBD’s apparent ability to help treat one of the most troublesome sleep-related conditions known to man: insomnia. Insomnia is a complaint of poor, insufficient, or nonrestorative sleep; it can last for a few nights or a lifetime. Daytime functioning is often affected.

Insomnia may be caused by an underlying physiological or psychological disorder or by substance abuse, but it can also occur independently of these factors. Given all of the awful side effects of insomnia, there was much applause when researchers found that CBD may be able to help people get a good night’s rest.

Theoretically speaking, if CBD can assist with insomnia, won’t it also make you sleepy? The answer might surprise you, but no, CBD doesn’t make you sleepy. Or, to be fair, it doesn’t make most people tired. Being that CBD has no sedative nature, although it does help eliminate anxiety, it doesn’t work like your average sleeping pill.

CBD works by supporting the body’s natural endocannabinoid system (ECS). The whole purpose of the endocannabinoid system is to create homeostasis in the body, e.g., to regulate imbalances. CBD contacts receptors and works its way into the ESC. In one animal study, researchers found that CBD tended to encourage wakefulness during daylight time and less alertness in the evening in rats.

Let’s take a closer look at the function of the ESC.

CBD and The Endocannabinoid System: Creating Balance

When the naturally occurring cannabinoid receptors activate the ESC in the human body, homeostasis occurs. Studies show that when CBD interacts with these receptors, cognitive functions improve and the brain can respond to stressful situations more effectively.

As a result, an adverse behavioral output is lessened, and the stress period reforms itself.

The reasons CBD may be helpful for insomnia while not causing sleepiness in healthy individuals is that it addresses the common symptoms of insomnia, such as anxiety, stress, and depression, and helps the body’s natural regulatory functions.

It’s more than likely that CBD will not make you sleepy. Simply put, CBD doesn’t have the sedative qualities necessary to do so. However, it’s possible that you will feel changes in your mood which can result in anything from feeling calmer to more energized.

While CBD might not make you sleepy, it has an excellent potential to help regulate your sleeping patterns, such as why we know it as a remedy for insomnia. It will also work with your ESC to balance out any other asymmetries occurring in your body processes.

CBD and Calming Effects

One of the primary reasons that CBD has become so popular in the health and wellness communities all over the United States is because it’s said to inspire calmness in people who ingest it.

This news was great for Americans, considering we’re a perpetually anxious and stressed out society. It’s likely that the question, does CBD make you sleepy, took root in its ability to calm people down. What many might overlook is that calmness and sleepiness are two different sensations.

CBD and its calming effects are a blessing for stressed-out Americans. And while CBD doesn’t make you sleepy, it can help regulate your sleeping patterns through the process of homeostasis. This facet of CBD is especially salient for those who have insomnia.

Ironically, the stressed-out Americans who love CBD for its anti-antxiotic (anti-stress) properties are worried that CBD will cause sleepiness–a fear rooted in the idea that they won’t be able to run around and get everything done if they’re sleepy. Luckily for them, it’s very unlikely that CBD will make you sleepy.