CBD For Sleep: Does It Work?

Did you know CBD helps with sleep? Many people talk about; how CBD helps with sleep disorders, anxiety and CBD, insomnia and CBD, REM sleep behavior disorder and CBD, excessive daytime sleep disorder and cannabidiol, how CBD improves sleep, CBD, and other prescriptions.

Cannabis sativa is the scientific name for the plant, even though there are a variety of colloquial names for the plant with the green, narrow leaves that you might be familiar with. You can use "cannabis" to refer to anything produced from the cannabis plant. Cannabinoids are a class of chemical compounds that are found in cannabis plants. These plants also contain a variety of other compounds. Tetrahydrocannabinol (also known as THC) and cannabidiol (also known as CBD) are two of the more than one hundred different cannabinoids that have been the focus of the majority of the research conducted on cannabinoids. Below you will find how CBD helps with a sleep disorder.

How CBD Helps With Sleep Disorders

There has only been limited research done so far on the effects that CBD has on sleep disorders. People who use CBD to treat chronic pain may find that it helps them sleep better. It is currently unknown whether or not these patients are sleeping better due to the pain relief provided by CBD or whether or not CBD directly affects their sleep.

Kuhathasan et al. (2019), on the relationship between CBD and sleep disorders, pointed to positive findings. On the other hand, not everyone who uses CBD reports the same positive effects on their sleep quality, and different doses of CBD may produce varied results. According to Solowij et al. (2019), low doses of CBD appear stimulating, whereas high doses of CBD appear to have a sedating effect. Differences in experiences can also be attributed to ingesting CBD and the quantity taken. The knowledge of CBD as a potential treatment for sleep disorders needs to be expanded through additional research.

Anxiety and CBD

Anxiety, while not in and of itself a sleep disorder, is a factor that can contribute to poor sleep quality, insufficient sleep, and even sleep disorders. Wright et al. (2020) suggested that cannabidiol, or CBD for short, may be useful in treating anxiety and related conditions. According to the findings of one study, individuals who took CBD as a treatment for their anxiety experienced significant reductions in their anxiety levels within one month. More than sixty-five percent of participants initially reported improved sleep, but the results were inconsistent.

Insomnia and CBD

People with sleeplessness have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep throughout the night. This condition has an impact on a person's ability to concentrate during the day, as well as their mood. People with a history of sleeplessness may suffer from anxiety about getting inadequate sleep, which can increase their inability to sleep at night. It is because people with insomnia often do not sleep well.

In light of the potentially beneficial effects that cannabidiol could have when used to treat anxiety, Balter et al. (2014) hypothesized that it could also help reduce the anxiety associated with sleeplessness. In addition, a new pilot study27 of the use of CBD and THC in humans with who a physician with insomnia has diagnosed has recently begun. The research findings will provide additional insight into the effects of CBD on sleeplessness.

Rapid Eye Movement Sleeping Behavioral Illness and CBD

Rapid eye movement sleep disorder is characterized by patients acting aggressively and verbally expressing themselves while in the rapid eye movement stage of sleep. Patients in their later years who suffer from neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's are most likely to be affected by this condition.

CBD was found to be effective in managing rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder symptoms in pilot research involving only four Parkinson's disease patients. Before beginning treatment with CBD, the patients reported experiencing disorder symptoms anywhere from two to seven times per week. Following administration of CBD, the symptoms occurred 0–1 time per week on average. Although additional research is required, these preliminary findings point to CBD as a possible treatment for REM sleep behavior disorder. Learn more about how to fall back asleep naturally?

Excessive Daytime Sleep Disorder and Cannabidiol

Individuals suffering from excessive daytime sleepiness disorder have difficulty remaining awake during the standard daytime hours. CBD could be one answer to the problem of waking up on time and remaining awake throughout the day. Initial studies conducted on animals have shown that CBD acts as a drug that promotes wakefulness. However, the results of other studies point to CBD's potential use as a sedative. Additional study is required to determine the effects of different doses and administration methods of CBD on wakefulness and sleepiness.

How CBD Improves Sleep

Even when studies conclude that CBD can improve sleep, the researchers aren't always able to explain why this is the case. Most studies mentioned above emphasize the importance of conducting additional research on CBD before we can completely understand how it affects our sleep. On the other hand, many researchers believe that CBD can improve sleep quality because it addresses the underlying causes of insomnia. You will better understand the reasons behind and the process behind CBD's ability to aid in sleep as more research is conducted on the compound.

CBD and Other Prescriptions

CBD may negatively interact with other medications a person is taking. In particular, CBD has been shown to inhibit the capacity of the liver to metabolize certain medications. Additionally, if the patient uses CBD with other herbs or supplements, they may experience excessive drowsiness. Consult your primary care provider before beginning the use of any CBD product. Inform your physician of any medications, herbs, or supplements you are currently taking so that they can determine whether or not CBD may interact negatively with any of these other substances. If CBD is an option that could help you achieve your health objectives, your physician will be able to let you know about it. Learn more about 5 ways to beat afternoon sleepiness

Conclusion

Insomnia is a common condition, and the standard treatment prescribed by medical professionals is changing in behavior, although you may also use prescription medication. CBD is a form of self-medication for some people who have trouble sleeping. Even though there hasn't been a lot of research done on the effects of CBD, particularly over the long term, it seems like taking it wouldn't pose too many risks. CBD may help people sleep for longer, but doctors aren't sure if it helps people fall asleep. There is some evidence. More research is needed to determine the optimal dosage of CBD as well as the most efficient method of administration when trying to sleep better.

References

Balter, R. E., Cooper, Z. D., & Haney, M. (2014). Novel Pharmacologic Approaches To Treating Cannabis Use Disorder. Current Addiction Reports, 1(2), 137-143.

Kuhathasan, N., Dufort, A., Mackillop, J., Gottschalk, R., Minuzzi, L., & Frey, B. N. (2019). The Use Of Cannabinoids For Sleep: A Critical Review On Clinical Trials. Experimental And Clinical Psychopharmacology, 27(4), 383.

Solowij, N., Broyd, S., Greenwood, L. M., Van Hell, H., Martelozzo, D., Rueb, K., ... & Croft, R. (2019). A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Vaporised Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol And Cannabidiol Alone And In Combination In Frequent And Infrequent Cannabis Users: Acute Intoxication Effects. European Archives Of Psychiatry And Clinical Neuroscience, 269(1), 17-35.

Wright, M., Di Ciano, P., & Brands, B. (2020). Use Of Cannabidiol For The Treatment Of Anxiety: A Short Synthesis Of Pre-Clinical And Clinical Evidence. Cannabis And Cannabinoid Research, 5(3), 191-196.