Insomnia and trouble sleeping have become an ever-increasing health issue amongst the adult population across the world. Our sleeping patterns are often disrupted with the pressures of the modern world: work, family, politics and even pandemics! Not to mention all the time we spend in front of our screens these days, which is widely known to disrupt sleep and lead to longer term sleep disorders. There are several methods for treating insomnia, some of which are more effective than others. You could always try sleeping pills, but those tend to have longer-term negative impacts and can become habitual. We think adjusting your routine and using natural sleeping aids like CBD or melatonin is a better approach.
CBD Products for Sleep
There are many different CBD products on the market today intended to help with sleep, from CBD softgels, CBD tablets, CBD oils and more. Those who are suffering from bouts of insomnia are finding themselves turning to CBD to aid their sleep and improve their overall wellbeing. CBD has been shown to be a natural and effective remedy for those restless nights – helping you get to bed and stay asleep longer. With none of the adverse side effects you might find in prescription drugs, it make sense that more and more people are turning to CBD to help at night.
Here are four different ways in which CBD has been shown to help improve sleep:
CBD Reduces Anxiety and Stress
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health issues in the adult population today, with over 18% of adults suffering from an anxiety disorder in any given year. Anxiety can often lead to sleep issues – from trouble falling asleep to longer-term degradation in sleep quality and the ability to stay asleep. It is no wonder that so many people who struggle with anxiety find themselves also suffering from symptoms of insomnia.
Due to legal limitations on the use of cannabis for the last several decades, efficacious research into the properties and benefits of CBD are limited. And while research overall about the effectiveness of CBD to reduce anxiety is still ongoing, early indications are quite promising. Scientists believe CBD can help regulate anxiety related behaviors through the cannabinoid type 1 receptor and the serotonin 5-HT receptors, causing a positive reaction in the brain, which in turn helps to reduce the symptoms of anxiety. And as we have learned – reducing daily stress and anxiety is the first step towards a better nights sleep.
CBD Helps Treat Body Aches and Pain
Body aches and pain can also result in bouts of insomnia. Those restless nights, when injuries, arthritis or general pain can cause you to toss and turn can often lead to people turning to prescription drugs. However, with all that we have learned in recent years about the negative impacts of opioids, people are looking for natural pain-relief alternatives. Early research suggest that CBD can be effective in treating pain and inflammation.
There are two main types of pain that CBD can be helpful for: nociceptive/inflammatory pain and neuropathic pain. Nociceptive pain occurs due to inflammation in the body. The inflammation is the body's response to an underlying issue being detected by nociceptors around the body. These nociceptors exist to recognise pain when the body is being harmed – this can be anything from bruises, fractures or more common daily issues like sprains or arthritis.
CBD helps treat the inflammation through its connection with the endocannabinoid system and these receptors. Some early indications suggest THC can be a more effective treatment in reducing inflammation in the body because of its direct link with the CB2 receptors, however, early evidence suggests CBD can also reduce the growth of inflammatory cells in the body. These positive benefits of CBD are what allows it to be so effective for chronic neuropathic pain. Reducing chronic pain and inflammation can be very effective in helping with symptoms of insomnia.
Soothing Effects of Cannabis without the High
Cannabis, but more specifically marijuana, is a famous sedative. It is highly effective at altering and improving sleep patterns. People who suffer from sleep disorders have long turned to marijuana for help. However, more recently CBD has emerged as an important active ingredient of the cannabis plant, shown to have its own positive impact on sleep – except without the high.
The conversation around the cannabis plant really started to evolve after the 2018 US Farm Bill, which legalized CBD from hemp containing less than 0.3% THC. With such a long history of negativity, consumers continue to remain skeptical about using anything labeled 'cannabis'. However, with the number of people suffering from sleep issues continuing to rise, more and more are willing to give CBD products a try, especially broad-spectrum which contain 0% THC.
