Most people experience difficulty sleeping at some point in their lives. Whether you struggle to fall asleep or you wake up a few times during the night, sleep problems can affect your mental and physical health.
For many of us, our sleep difficulties are occasional and usually caused by stress, illness, or other temporary interruptions to our normal routine. However, the effects of sleep deprivation are more severe for those who experience regular sleeplessness and wake up feeling exhausted every day.
Fortunately, some natural remedies, like hemp oil or CBD oils, can work as effective sleep aids. Currently, the CBD oil Australia market is booming thanks to such therapeutic effects, and the cannabinoids stress-relieving and pain management potential.
How CBD Oil May Improve Sleep
Anecdotal evidence suggests that CBD oils help users fall asleep more quickly, stay asleep longer, and feel rested in the morning. However, there is limited clinical evidence to back these claims.
It’s widely believed that CBD’s sleep-promoting effects are linked to its ability to reduce stress and manage pain. In other words, hemp oil works indirectly to improve sleep by addressing issues that may be preventing people from getting a good night’s rest.
CBD is well-known for its ability to induce feelings of calm, help with muscle relaxation, and reduce acute pain – all of which may promote a better night’s sleep.
Although more research is needed on the relationship between CBD and sleep, some experts believe there is a direct link. CBD exerts its effects through its interaction with our endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The ECS is an important biological system that plays a role in maintaining certain body functions, such as mood, appetite, pain, sleep, and regulating circadian rhythms. The system is composed of cannabinoid receptors located throughout the body.
Cannabinoids, like CBD, attach to these cells to exert various effects. It’s thought that CBD may interact with specific receptors, potentially affecting our sleep-wake cycle, and thereby improving sleep.
Again, it’s unclear whether CBD directly affects sleep or has an indirect effect by addressing issues that interfere with restful sleep.
What the Research Says About CBD and Sleep
Although more studies need to be performed, early research supports the idea that high doses of CBD may support sleep.
One 2012 investigation reported that, compared with a placebo, a 160mg dose of CBD increased sleep duration.
In another study published in Permanente Journal, adults with anxiety and poor sleep were evaluated. Participants were administered 25mg of CBD in capsule form either in the evening (for sleep) or the morning (for anxiety).
After the first month, anxiety scores decreased in 79% of people, while sleep scores improved in 66% of participants, indicating less difficulty sleeping. However, the sleep scores fluctuated throughout the study.
Researchers have also explored the link between CBD and cortisol levels. Levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, usually peak in the morning. However, people with sleep difficulties may have elevated cortisol levels at night, resulting in an increased number of nighttime awakenings. One study found that cortisol levels reduced significantly when participants took 300 or 600mg of CBD oil. By affecting the release of cortisol, CBD may be sedating.
While extensive supporting evidence demonstrates that CBD may improve sleep, the results are inconclusive, and more research must be done in this area.
How to Use CBD Oil to Improve Sleep
CBD is by no means a foolproof sleep aid that is guaranteed to improve sleep. Instead, it works best with other natural strategies promoting better sleep.
Here are a few tips to make adjustments to your sleeping habits:
- Take time to wind down before bed in a dark setting with no bright screens. It is known that the light from a smartphone interferes with sleep.
- Exercise regularly. Though researchers aren’t entirely sure why physical activity can improve sleep.
- Stick to a sleep schedule. Try to sleep at the same time every night and sleep between 7 to 8 hours – no more. Being consistent supports your body’s sleep-wake cycle.
It’s also important to understand that for some people, hemp oil (CBD) may have a stimulating effect rather than sedating one. This is often dose-dependent, whereby low-dose CBD has a stimulating effect, and high-dose CBD is sedating. But sometimes, it may just be how an individual responds to CBD.
Final Thoughts on How CBD Oil Affects Sleep
Many praise CBD or hemp oil as an excellent natural sleep aid that helps calm the mind and send them into a blissful slumber. However, this may not be the experience for everyone.
In some instances, CBD may be stimulating, so it’s important to find the precise dosage that works for you. Moreover, each person may respond differently to CBD – the results will not be the same for everyone.
Nonetheless, it’s worth experimenting with CBD to see if it works for you. Preliminary evidence suggests that CBD oil could promote better sleep, especially if your sleep difficulties are caused by external factors, like stress or pain.
Better still, CBD is natural with few potential side effects, making it a safer option than pharmaceutical drugs, like sleeping pills.
Don’t rely, however, on sleep medication to cure insomnia. Prescription and nonprescription sleep medications are only intended for occasional, short-term use.
If you continue to have insomnia, talk to your health care provider or consider consulting with one of our board-certified providers, who specializes in sleep disorders.
Established as the first independent diagnostic testing facility (IDTF) sleep clinic in Alaska in 2002, Alaska Sleep Clinic has grown to 4 locations and 13 beds. Alaska Sleep Clinic is the most comprehensive sleep clinic in Alaska. Contact us today @ 907-357-6700 for your FREE sleep assessment.
