Is counting sleep at night just not doing the trick? If so, you aren’t alone. A Consumer Reports survey found that 27% of polled adults said that they have trouble falling or staying asleep most nights, while 68% struggle with sleep at least once a week. These days there are all sorts of products and services that promise better sleep, including sleep-inducing mattresses, white noise machines, and even sleep coaches. But sometimes it’s the simplest product that does the trick.
CBD gummies have become some of the most popular CBD products on the market, and while they can be used for reducing stress and anxiety, they have also been proven to be quite effective in helping people get the sleep they need. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about taking CBD gummies for sleep.
How CBD Impacts Sleep
Many studies have been conducted to research CBD’s ability to interact with the brain. Specifically, CBD has shown to interact with serotonin and GABA receptors in the brain. Serotonin plays a huge role in managing mood and anxiety, while GABA promotes relaxation by calming excess activity in the brain. Because CBD has anti-anxiety properties, it’s able to promote relaxation naturally. When the mind and body are relaxed, it’s much easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.
CBD Products with Melatonin
Melatonin is a substance that naturally occurs in the body. The hormone helps your body to know when to sleep and when to wake up. Melatonin is typically made at night; levels increase in the evening when the sun starts to set and drop in the morning when the sun rises. Many different companies that sell CBD products sell gummies that are made with melatonin. By taking CBD gummies for sleep, you can not only fall asleep faster, but you will also stay asleep longer. This means you’ll wake up feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to take on the day.
While melatonin sends signals to the brain and body that it’s time to go to sleep, CBD improves sleep because of its anti-anxiety properties. We all know how hard it can be to fall asleep when we’re stressed or anxious. By taking the right combination of melatonin and CBD oil, you’re able to feel calmer, more relaxed, and your body will get the signals it needs to know that it’s time for shut-eye.
What Do Studies Say About CBD And Sleep?
One of the biggest factors in why CBD oil products have become so popular is due to its calming properties. Sleep is a huge problem for Americans, and a study conducted by Consumer Reports says that around 10% of Americans reported trying CBD to improve their sleep, and most of them said that the CBD product they used actually worked. A study that was published in early January 2019 found that CBD may help people with short-term sleep problems. The study involved 72 subjects, 25 of which were experiencing poor sleep. Subjects were given 25 mg of CBD in capsule form each day, and in the first month, 66.7% of the patients reported better sleep.
An earlier report conducted in 2017 found that CBD may directly impact sleep cycles by interacting with receptors in the brain that control daily sleep/wake cycles. But, there is still much research to be done. For example, there is more information needed about how much CBD people should take, timing, and the best dosing method for getting the best quality sleep. There have also been studies that show that taking CBD gummies for sleep may also treat other conditions such as:
- REM sleep behavior disorder
- Insomnia
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Grogginess
Even though studies have concluded that CBD can be used to improve sleep, there isn’t always a clear answer as to why. This further highlights the fact that more studies need to be conducted to fully understand how CBD affects the sleep cycle.
What to Expect
If you’re interested in taking CBD oil for sleep, it helps to know what you should expect.
First, when compared to prescription sleep medications, the possible side effects of taking CBD are hardly worth worrying about. Let’s look at Ambien, one of the most popularly prescribed sleep medications. Ambien has all sorts of common side effects, including dizziness, daytime drowsiness, lightheadedness, weakness, loss of coordination, and a “drugged” feeling. On the other hand, CBD symptoms are much more minimal, and a lot less likely to occur. These symptoms include fatigue, changes in weight and appetite, and diarrhea.
When taking CBD, it’s also worth noting that you won’t feel an immediate difference. Most studies that tested CBD’s impact on sleep found that participants started to feel a difference about a month after taking CBD. This means you’ll need to be patient!
Choosing the Right Product
As with anything on the market, CBD gummies for sleep vary in effectiveness and quality. While CBD is generally regarded as being safe, it’s always best to buy high-quality CBD products from a well-known and respected brand. CBD products aren’t regulated by the FDA, and there are tons of fake CBD products on the market that are often tainted.
Before purchasing any CBD product, always research the company. Learn where their hemp plants come from to ensure the highest quality of CBD is used. You’ll also want to look for third party testing to rule out the risk of CBD that’s tainted with THC. If you’re suffering from long-term sleep problems, it’s ideal to talk to your doctor before self-dosing with a CBD product. Sometimes other health conditions, such as sleep apnea, can cause you to feel tired and not to be able to sleep well at night, so it’s always best to rule out underlying factors before hoping a product will solve everything.
Conclusion
Though there is still much research and testing to be done, it’s safe to say that CBD gummies and oil are effective in helping those who want higher quality and longer-lasting sleep.
