DOES CBD WORK FOR SLEEP?

CBD is a cannabinoid and one of the many compounds of the cannabis plant, hemp, and marijuana. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is another major cannabinoid. CBD and THC have different effects. Does CBD work for sleep? Learn more below.

After the legalization of CBD in the 2018 Farm bill, more brands have emerged to cater to the growing demand. The CBD products offered include gummies, edibles, oil, capsules, pills, and topical products. Some consumers have associated CBD with many health and wellness benefits, including sleep. Sleep is essential to every individual. A goodnight’s sleep contributes to your overall health. In addition, proper rest improves the user’s mind and helps it grow. Good rest also repairs muscles and body tissues and gives energy for the next day.Will all these purported benefits make people seek ways to improve their sleep quality? Some go for CBD,hoping that it will help them sleep better. Although some studies have linked CBD to sleep, more research is needed to ascertain how CBD products affect sleep. This article highlights everything you need to know about CBD and sleep.

Different CBD Formulations

CBD products are offered in three distinct formulations. Namely,full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and CBD isolate.

Full Spectrum CBD

This form consists of all the elements of the hemp plant, including terpenes, flavonoids, CBD, and THC. It is ideal for consumers who wish to reap the benefits of all the plant extracts. However, Good et al. (1999) confirmed that this formulation is associated with a bitter taste that is unsuitable for some users.

Broad-spectrum CBD

Like full spectrum CBD, the broad spectrum contains all hemp plant compounds. However, the latter lacks the psychoactive compound THC. This form is ideal for consumers who wish to benefit from other elements of hemp while avoiding THC.

CBD Isolate

Also known as pure CBD, isolate-based CBD products contain CBD as the only element. They lack terpenes, flavonoids, and THC. This type is suitable for consumers who want to reap the benefits of CBD only.

Is CBD FDA-approved?

There are few cannabis-derived products approved by the FDA in the United States of America (USA).

Epidiolex

Rubin (2018) confirmed that this was the first drug to be legalized in the USA. It contains purified cannabis. Epidiolex is used to treat severe epilepsy, Lennox- gastaut syndrome, dravet syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis. Research shows that epidiolex can treat other seizures but is not yet approved by the FDA.

Marinol and Syndros

These drugs are in capsules or oral solutions and contain dronabinol, a synthetic form of THC. According to Badowski & Yanful (2018), dronabinol is used to treat nausea, vomiting, and weight loss in HIV patients. It involves Sativex, which is a combination of CBD and THC. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved its use in the USA.

Cesamet

This drug is in the form of capsules and contains nabilone. Ware et al. (2008) claimed that Cesamet is essential in controlling vomiting and nausea inchemotherapy patients.The FDA has not approved its use.

Common Doses of CBD

There are varying recommendations for CBD dosage. This shows that there is no set standard measure of CBD dosage. Some talk of 300mg daily for six months. A scientific review showed that taking up to 1500mg daily is safe. Consumers should read the labels on the CBD packages. These labels indicate the ingredients and their measurements. However, analysis shows that some labels do not show the exact content of CBD. Some CBD products may contain high levels of THC,which has intoxicating effects.

Effects of Taking CBD

CBD has different effects on different people depending on the type of the product and the dosage used. CBD affects the nervous system and also the serotonin system. CBD has different effects than THC in that CBD users do not feel high. What’s more, CBD reduces the psychoactive effects of THC.

How Can CBD Help with Sleep Disorders?

CBD improves the quality of sleep.According to Chagas et al. (2014), CBD helps in numerous sleep disorders such as insomnia and REM sleep behavior disorders. CBD also reduces anxiety and depression. Capano et al. (2020) discovered that other people use CBD to reduce chronic pain.All these are conditions that can interfere with an individual’s sleep quality. In addition, CBD manages rapid eye movement (REM) behavior when sleeping. This condition is common in people with neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. However, further research is needed to explain how CBD responds to such conditions.

Factors to Consider when Selecting the Best CBD Oil for Sleep

The CBD industry is widely unregulated, and the chances of landing on a low-quality product are high. Therefore, consider the following when purchasing any CBD product for sleep.

Third-party Laboratory Testing

Go for CBD brands that carry out third-party testing for all their products. This test ascertains that the products are void of contaminants like heavy metals and pesticides. The tests also confirm that the product labels' potency and THC levels are true. You can obtain the test results by scanning the QR codes on the product label or requesting the Certificate of Analysis from the brand.

Brand Reputation

Purchase CBD products from highly reputable brands. Go through customer reviews to determine the best brands. Also, go for companies that offer a money-back guarantee for customers who find their products ineffective.

Hemp Source

It is essential to determine where a company sources its hemp. Go for brands that use organic farming practices void of chemicals that may infiltrate the final product.

Extraction Method

Different companies employ different techniques to extract cannabinoids and other elements from the hemp plant. These methods include the CO2 extraction method and the use of solvents. The CO2 method is considered a clean extraction technique because harmful substances do not infiltrate the final product.

Conclusion

Numerous studies have linked CBD to better sleep. According to the different researches discussed in this article, CBD relieves pain, depression, stress, and anxiety, leading to better sleep quality. However, it is advisable to consult a doctor before using any CBD product. In addition, inform the doctor about other medication, herbs, or supplements you are taking. Health care providers will inform you of the viability of CBD to meet individual health goals. In addition, research on CBD is limited, and there is insufficient evidence to link CBD and sleep. As a result, one must proceed with caution.

References

Badowski, M. E., &Yanful, P. K. (2018). Dronabinol Oral Solution In The Management Of Anorexia And Weight Loss In AIDS And Cancer. Therapeutics And Clinical Risk Management, 14, 643.

Capano, A., Weaver, R., &Burkman, E. (2020). Evaluation Of The Effects Of CBD Hemp Extract On Opioid Use And Quality Of Life Indicators In Chronic Pain Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study. Postgraduate Medicine, 132(1), 56-61.

Chagas, M. H., Eckeli, A. L., Zuardi, A. W., Pena‐Pereira, M. A., Sobreira‐Neto, M. A., Sobreira, E. T., ... &Crippa, J. A. D. S. (2014). Cannabidiol Can Improve Complex Sleep‐Related Behaviours Associated With Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behaviour Disorder In Parkinson's Disease Patients: A Case Series. Journal Of Clinical Pharmacy And Therapeutics, 39(5), 564-566.

Good, N., Schafer, J. B., Konstan, J. A., Borchers, A., Sarwar, B., Herlocker, J., &Riedl, J. (1999). Combining Collaborative Filtering With Personal Agents For Better Recommendations. Aaai/Iaai, 439(10.5555), 315149-315352.

Rubin, R. (2018). The Path To The First FDA-Approved Cannabis-Derived Treatment And What Comes Next. Jama, 320(12), 1227-1229.

Ware, M. A., Daeninck, P., &Maida, V. (2008). A Review Of Nabilone In The Treatment Of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea And Vomiting. Therapeutics And Clinical Risk Management, 4(1), 99.