Cannabidiol (CBD) derived from the hemp plant can be useful for improving the quality of sleep, and this is one of the main reasons for its popularity. So, many people are using it as an alternative to pharmaceutical drugs like sleeping pills. You must also know that at lower or regular doses, cannabidiol does not produce adverse side effects. Due to these reasons, manufacturers and scientists are trying to better understand the sleep-inducing effect of this cannabinoid. The purpose of this article is to investigate the science behind the sleep-inducing effect of CBD; read on to know more about this.
What Is The Evidence?
The most studied therapeutic uses of CBD are regarding its usage for treating epileptic seizures, relieving pain, and reducing the severity of inflammatory conditions. However, there are limited studies about the direct effect of cannabidiol (CBD) on the quality of sleep.
What Does Science Say?
A 2017 study has found that CBD uses may include its usefulness for treating sleep apnea, excess daytime sleepiness, REM sleep behavior disorder, nightmares due to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and chronic pain. Also, a 2019 study concluded that cannabidiol improved sleep because of its effect on easing anxiety. Remember that anxiety and stress are two of the leading causes of insomnia.
What About The CBD Dosage For Sleep?
Keep in mind that to get the maximum benefits from using cannabidiol (CBD), you must administer the right dosage, and this varies from person to person. According to experts, at a small or moderate dose, CBD promotes wakefulness and has an energizing effect, but at higher doses, it has sleep-inducing effects.
Usually, you consume CBD orally in the form of edibles, capsules, gummies, oils, or tinctures. When you administer it this way, you must wait at least 30 minutes to experience the full effects. This is because the CBD must pass through the digestive system so that it is absorbed into the bloodstream through the small intestines. The other faster option is to place drops of CBD tincture under the tongue so that it quickly enters the bloodstream through the sublingual gland.
Is It Safe To Use CBD For Sleep?
In general, you can consume CBD safely, and to enjoy maximum benefits, you must use a product from a reputed manufacturer. Also, before using it, you must consult a physician as it might not be equally effective for all. Moreover, there is the risk of cannabidiol (CBD) interacting with certain medications, i.e. those with grapefruit warnings.
You must keep these points in mind if you are planning to use cannabidiol (CBD) for its sleep-inducing effect.