Does CBD Promote Sleep?

CBD for Sleep

While the FDA has only approved the CBD-derived anti-seizure medication: Epidiolex, the results of a recent study published in the Journal of Cannabis Research would suggest that many CBD users are utilizing CBD to help manage sleep issues; 42.5% of survey respondents said that they used CBD to “improve sleep quality” or for self-perceived insomnia. In that same study, participants were asked “How does CBD affect your sleep?” Nearly 40% of respondents said, “[they] sleep better.” While FDA-backed research on CBD for sleep may be behind, these responses are promising for folks looking to introduce CBD into their nighttime routine.

Current CBD for sleep studies

There are several ongoing into using cannabinoids and CBD for sleep disorders.

• Dronabinol – Early research suggests that this synthesized version of THC may help with obstructive sleep apnea. But at this early stage, professionals are hesitant to recommend the use of cannabis products to alleviate sleep apnea or any other sleep disorders.

• Nabilone – Another synthesized version of marijuana used primarily as an anti-nausea drug by chemotherapy patients. Some studies have shown that nabilone may help those suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have fewer nightmares, and in turn help them get a more restful, deeper sleep.

• CBD – Research is still in the early stages, but CBD for sleep disorders is showing a lot of promise. Early findings suggest that CBD might help alleviate disorders like insomnia, REM sleep behavior disorder, and excessive daytime sleepiness disorder.

Now would be a good time to add our disclaimer: This piece was written for purely informational purposes. The efficacy of CBD has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. CBD is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. There is no guarantee that CBD will help you get to or stay asleep.

Does CBD help you sleep?

While experts are still uncertain about CBD’s relationship to sleep, many believe that it’s possible that CBD plays a role in getting better quality sleep via addressing the root causes of restlessness.

Many factors can cause you to have poor-quality sleep, or not get enough sleep. According to the Mayo Clinic, poor sleep can be caused by:

• Mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

• Medications that can disrupt your sleep-wake cycle.

• Physical discomforts like pain and restless leg syndrome.

• Caffeine intake later in the day.

• Your surroundings. Are you awoken by loud noises or lights in the middle of the night?

Many professionals and current users consider CBD helpful in addressing some of the factors listed above— namely anxiety and physical discomforts.

In the aforementioned Journal of Cannabis Research study, 42.6% of users reported that they used CBD to help them with anxiety. Nearly 20% said that they used CBD to help with arthritis and joint pain.

CBD is thought to help users relax without the psychoactive high common with traditional marijuana. When someone is relaxed, they are less likely to have racing thoughts or are less likely to be bothered by aches and pains. It makes sense as to why users report better sleep as not just a desired outcome of CBD use, but as a welcome side effect too.

Takeaways: Does CBD for Sleep Work?

Not getting enough sleep can impact every part and facet of your life, from your immune system to your ability to lose weight. If you have struggled with your sleep, you know that some days are better than others. If only there was a way to ensure more of those better days.

While CBD products, and especially CBD products containing the sleep-aid melatonin, may help you relax and ease into sleep, they are not a cure-all. If you plan on using CBD for sleep, understand that it should be integrated into your sleep routine and should not be relied on solely to ensure a good night’s rest.

If your sleep problems persist, there may be other underlying causes that you may need to address with a medical professional.