Can CBD Help You Sleep Better?

With the fast-paced nature of the modern world more and more people are finding it increasingly difficult to fall asleep at night without the use of sleep aids. Unfortunately, over the counter sleeping pills tend to cause tolerance and addiction over time, and this has led to people to seek safer and more natural alternatives for inducing sleep. 

Many people know cannabis as a stimulant and euphoric plant, but can CBD (a component of the cannabis plant) be used to induce sleep? 
In this article we will explore the sleep properties of CBD and let you know if this is a safer alternative as compared to over-the-counter sleeping pills.

Does CBD induce sleep?

Some cannabis users report feeling sedated after taking high doses of THC rich strains. This is because THC acts centrally to cause drowsiness and sedation. However, THC comes with unpleasant side effects which may not appeal to many people who are not accustomed to the typical “marijuana high.” CBD on the other hand does not cause these side effects, which prompts the question, can CBD induce sleep without causing serious side effects?

Here is what research has to say:

1. CBD does not induce sleep directly

A Brazilian study published in 2018 revealed that CBD did not alter the sleep patterns of healthy subjects. This was a double blind placebo-controlled study with 26 healthy participants, 50% were given 300mg of CBD before sleep while the other 50% received placebo. Results showed no significant differences in sleep patterns between the two groups. 

This showed that CBD has no direct effect in causing sedation.

2. CBD relieves anxiety and this may help trigger sleep

Another study conducted by the University of Colorado investigated the use of CBD in anxiety and sleep. As much CBD did not have any direct sedating effects, it proved to be a powerful anxiety relieving compound and this in turn facilitated sleep in anxious patients. This means that by relieving anxiety, patients were able to fall asleep better.

3. CBD relieves pain and symptoms of depression, which may help in triggering sleep

Insomnia can be triggered by a number of factors; on top of the list is depression and chronic pain. CBD has pain relieving properties as well as antidepressant properties. By combating pain and depression, patients taking CBD are able to sleep better.

4. Terpene rich CBD strains may help to induce sleep

Terpenes such as myrcene and linalool have sleep inducing properties. When combined with CBD they boost its sedative effects making this full spectrum effect more powerful and long lasting. This is referred to as the entourage effect.

So, can CBD help you sleep better?

In case you suffer from anxiety, depression, chronic pain or stress, taking CBD will heal your symptoms and this in turn will make you sleep better. For otherwise healthy people, CBD may not have a direct effect on your sleep pattern.

Lastly, taking full spectrum CBD that is terpene rich will definitely make you feel more relaxed and you will be able to fall asleep much faster.

Is CBD safe for you?

Unlike most over-the-counter sleeping pills, CBD is absolutely safe even when given in high doses. A study conducted in 2018 showed that CBD administered at high doses of up to 6,000mg daily was well tolerated in healthy subjects. 

CBD comes in different forms such as: edibles, cream, oils, capsules. You can always pick a method that favors your lifestyle. However, you should consider consulting with your physician before trying out CBD for sleep. This is because CBD inhibits certain enzymes that are involved in the metabolism of many drugs. As a result, this affects the effectiveness of those drugs.