August 20, 2022 5 min read

DOES CBD MAKE YOU SLEEPY?

Quality sleep is undeniably important for overall body wellness. Unfortunately, many people struggle to sleep. As a result, most have turned to CBD as a natural sleep aid compared to the addictive over-the-counter drugs. Does CBD make you sleepy?

Generally, it's undeniable that good quality sleep is essential for physical and mental restoration, especially after a long day's work. However, most people struggle to get enough rest. With so many products in the market being advertised as sleep aids, it may be difficult to identify the right ones besides knowing where to start. Getting natural products can also be a daunting task for people seeking safe and natural solutions for sleep aids.

Fortunately, scientists have discovered CBD, and more people are integrating it into their daily routine, particularly to help them sleep. However, the question among most people is; will CBD make me sleepy? Continue reading to know the answer.

What is CBD Oil?

If the ingredient is legal in your state, you may have already come across CBD oil and CBD-infused products. CBD oil is oil or tincture containing CBD extracted from the hemp plant, a type of cannabis plant. The extract is mixed with a carrier oil so that it's easy for body absorption. The cannabis plant contains more than a hundred natural chemical compounds called cannabinoids. The most common and well-known cannabinoids are CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). While these compounds are similar in their chemical structure, their effects on your body vary.

THC is the psychoactive component of the marijuana plant, a kind of cannabis. THC is responsible for the high feeling of marijuana. On the contrary, CBD doesn’t have psychoactive effects and will not make you feel high. Shannon & Opila-Lehman (2016) showed that CBD is a potent treatment for various ailments with minimum adverse effects.

The CBD used in CBD oil is derived from hemp. While both hemp and marijuana contain both CBD and THC, hemp contains more CBD and less THC, while marijuana contains more THC and less CBD. Hemp cultivation in the United States is legal, thanks to the amendments of the 2018 Farm Bill. At the Federal Level, CBD Oil Drops and CBD infused products should contain less than 0.3% THC level to be legally approved.

How Does CBD Oil Work?

There are several ways of consuming CBD, such as vaping, sublingual administration, topical creams, and CBD gummies. Once consumed, the extract starts interacting with the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS). Battista & Di Tommaso (2012) showed that the ECS is responsible for maintaining a state of balance or homeostasis by regulating important body functions such as appetite, mood, insomnia, anxiety disorder, and the immune system.

ECS is the body contains receptors known as CB1 and CB2 receptors. CBD binds with CB2 receptors, which widely spread in our peripheral system. CBD influences the various body functions by triggering the production of natural endocannabinoids and binding with CB2 receptors.

Does CBD Make You Sleepy?

Whether or not CBD can make you sleepy has no definite answer and is still open for discussion. While more research is required to validate claims, some anecdotal evidence, i.e., Winiger et al. (2021), showed a link between CBD and better sleep. Another study states that CBD Oil Drops or any CBD-infused product doesn't make you feel dizzy or tired. Rather, sleepiness or a sense of intoxication is the adverse effect of cannabis substances such as marijuana rich in THC. THC is a psychoactive ingredient and is addictive.

The study above further argues that the body's response to CBD is completely different. Instead of making you feel sleepy, it provides an energizing effect. CBD relaxes the body and mind bringing you to a state of calmness. Shannon& Opila-Lehman (2016) depicted CBD as an anxiolytic that reduces stress and anxiety.

Individual bodies respond uniquely to CBD. Therefore, the CBD concentration in the product, mode of administration, body metabolism, age, and body chemistry may enhance or reduce CBD's effect. It would help if you considered that full-spectrum CBD Oil Drops has slightly different and better results than isolate CBD. The length of CBD effects will also vary among consumers and the mode of administration matters.

Experts state that CBD oil alone doesn't produce any sedative effects. Full-spectrum CBD oil contains traces of all other cannabinoids, including terpenes, which might cause tiredness and relaxation. Consequently, the percentage of terpenes may be minimal in hemp-derived CBD, and thus the user may not experience any drowsiness. Knowing how much CBD you need to achieve your desired results is critical.

How Can CBD Oil Make You Sleepy?

Some individuals use Sublingual CBD Oil Drops to combat insomnia and fall asleep faster. You may be wondering how. While CBD Tincture doesn't directly make you sleepy, it can calm the mind and body, making you comfortable enough to rest and sleep. As a result, CBD Tincture is an effective sleeping aid for some people.

Certain circumstances may make you stay awake and unable to fall asleep. Such may include physical pain in muscles and joints, mental disorder, or mood instability. Users claim that CBD Oil Tincture
can help decrease these problems' effects and symptoms, resulting in fuller rest.

ECS is a network of receptors (endocannabinoids) and enzymes that promote and help maintain homeostasis to perform other regulatory processes. When you consume CBD, the cannabinoid enhances the brain's ability to cope with various health concerns, from physical discomfort to severe stress and low energy levels. This balance translates into a more effective regulation of the sleep-wake cycle.

Conclusion

CBD oil is generally safe to use, and a majority of the users have benefited from it. However, consider talking to a doctor before consuming any CBD product. The doctor is better positioned to give you the best advice depending on your situation. If your sleep disorder is due to a serious medical condition, you should aim to treat the ailment rather than its symptoms. Moreover, it's critical to understand the legality of CBD oil in your state to avoid trouble with the law. It's also advisable to buy high-quality CBD produced by licensed manufacturers to avoid legal complications. Remember that CBD doesn't make you sleepy like a sleeping pill. Rather, it helps calm the mind so you can easily fall asleep. As a result, most people regard it as a sleeping aid.

References

Ashton, L. CBD For Energy, Focus, And Concentration: Can It Help?

Battista, N., Di Tommaso, M., Bari, M., & Maccarrone, M. (2012). The Endocannabinoid System: An Overview. Frontiers In Behavioral Neuroscience, 6, 9.

 Shannon, S., & Opila-Lehman, J. (2016). Effectiveness Of Cannabidiol Oil For Pediatric Anxiety And Insomnia As Part Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Report. The Permanente Journal, 20(4).

Shannon, S., & Opila-Lehman, J. (2016). Effectiveness Of Cannabidiol Oil For Pediatric Anxiety And Insomnia As Part Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Report. The Permanente Journal, 20(4).

Winiger, E. A., Hitchcock, L. N., Bryan, A. D., & Bidwell, L. C. (2021). Cannabis Use And Sleep: Expectations, Outcomes, And The Role Of Age. Addictive Behaviors, 112, 106642.