These days, lots of people are asking themselves, “Why can’t I sleep?” Our bedtime, which we once took for granted, has turned into something of a problem. If we can’t sleep, then we aren’t our best selves the next day.
That’s why it is no surprise that many people have turned to CBD for sleep.
What is CBD?
CBD is one of almost 150 cannabinoids found in the flowers of the hemp plant, along with THC.1 When extracted from hemp, CBD is legal to be infused into a variety of products including gummies, tinctures, topicals, and more. As long as the end products contain less than 0.3% THC, they are fully legal under federal law and can be shipped to all 50 states.
How does CBD help with sleep?
Every human has an endocannabinoid system (ECS). Your body’s ECS supports balance for other systems like homeostasis, the sleep-wake cycle, and your stress levels.
Your body already produces cannabinoids, called endocannabinoids, which communicate with your ECS. However, your ECS also communicates with cannabinoids found in cannabis, like CBD and THC. Called “phytocannabinoids,” they mimic our body’s endocannabinoids and bind to the receptors in our ECS.
We still have a lot to learn about the ECS and the systems that it affects, but we do know that ECS may play a role in:
- Sleep
- Mood
- Appetite
- Stress
How long does CBD take to work for better sleep?
Depending on why you are having trouble sleeping, it can take anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of weeks before you will begin to experience relief with CBD. That’s because CBD takes time to build up in the body before it begins to have an impact.2
For sleep support, give yourself at least two weeks of consistent daily use before evaluating how you feel. Keep a daily journal so that you can remember exactly how you felt each day, and then make a decision on whether to go up or down in dosage at the end of the first two weeks.
How to find the best CBD for sleep?
It might sound simple, but finding quality CBD that will improve your quality of life can actually be very difficult. That’s because most CBD products aren’t made with quality and efficacy in mind. In fact, most CBD brands are focused on making the cheapest product to sell for the highest price. To be sure you find an authentic CBD product that is worth your money, look for these clear indicators of a quality product:
- The product is full spectrum, which contains a legal amount of THC along with the CBD.
- The product is USDA certified organic. It’s safer and higher quality.
- The product is third-party lab tested, with a lab report for every product you purchase.
- The company offers a 30-day money back guarantee.
If all of these conditions have been met, odds are that you found a quality CBD product that is worth your investment. We hope you find relief soon!
References
- “Cannabis, Cannabinoids, and Sleep: a Review of the Literature.” Current Psychiatry Reports. April 2017. Accessed January 30, 2022. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28349316/
- “Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series.” The Permanente Journal. 2019. Accessed January 30, 2022. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30624194/
