Around 40% of all adults are affected by sleep disorders at some point in their lives. Sleep is one of the body’s most important ways of recovering and is therefore of great importance for a healthy life. There is currently much evidence that the use of CBD can alleviate sleep problems. Although research is still in its infancy, the testimonials are clear. Let’s take a look together at why and how CBD can help with sleep disorders.
Insufficient sleep hygiene - the consequences for the body are immense
If you don’t get enough sleep, you feel exhausted the next morning and can hardly concentrate. A one-off night of heavy sleep is not a problem – you can make up for it. However, if your bedtime is permanently delayed, you suffer from reduced sleep quality or your day-night rhythm is out of kilter, the consequences are serious.
Think of your body like the battery in your mobile phone. You recharge it while you sleep so that you can cope with the stresses of everyday life the next day. However, if your battery is only half charged or even less, stress and problems are inevitable. Constantly tossing and turning in bed can cause you to dread going to bed and your sleep rhythm to become even more out of control.
Although sleep disorders are a widespread disease, treatment is of great importance. Traditional medication and sleeping pills have the disadvantage that they can lead to tiredness and other side effects the next morning. CBD has established itself as an insider tip in recent years. Information and experience suggest that the cannabinoid can be a possible solution for sleep disorders. This is also indicated by this study on the subject, which focusses on the active ingredient CBD for sleep disorders.
Causes of sleep deprivation are crucial for treatment
In order to find an effective therapy for sleep disorders, you need to know the reasons for the disturbed night’s sleep. If an uncomfortable and unsuitable mattress is preventing you from falling asleep, only a change of mattress can help in the long term. Of course, CBD won’t help here because the cause is physical. Sometimes, however, illnesses, pain or tension are also triggers and prevent you from falling asleep or sleeping through the night. In these cases, CBD is said to have a sleep-promoting effect, as cannabidiol has a calming effect.
The use of CBD for pain is an issue for many people, and research has already clearly shown that the cannabinoid has a positive effect. If you suffer from pain, you can’t rest. Unlike sleeping pills, users do not report a direct effect on sleep when using CBD, but rather efficient pain relief. In this way, problems can be combated indirectly if pain has prevented you from sleeping.
Treating sleep disorders with sleeping pills - why doctors are so reluctant to issue prescriptions
If a sleep disorder is diagnosed, most doctors initially recommend herbal remedies to their patients. Melatonin is a sleep hormone, but valerian and lavender also play a role. More and more doctors are now also recommending hemp oil before prescribing patients a genuine sleeping pill. This would include hypnotics or barbiturates, which are supposed to induce sleep within 30 minutes of ingestion.
The problem with such prescriptions is that strong sleeping pills are highly addictive. Under no circumstances should they be used for longer than six weeks, otherwise there is a risk of habituation and, as a result, a strong dependency.
The only alternative is antidepressants, which have a fatiguing effect. They are used as an off-label trial to avoid the addictive side effects of sleeping pills. Such preparations also have a considerable effect on the body and mind, and the risk of an “overhang” the next morning is high.
How cannabidiol can relax the body and mind and help with sleep disorders
The effect of CBD is based on the presence of the human endocannabinoid system. This is responsible for the production of endocannabinoids and controls the body’s CB1 and CB2 receptors. Cannabidiol can help prevent the breakdown of dopamine, serotonin and other neurotransmitters. In this way, the hemp plant contributes to natural relaxation without the side effects of a classic sleeping pill.
The use of CBD for sleep disorders - who benefits from it?
People suffering from sleep problems are looking for a remedy. Studies give hope that CBD and its effect on the endocannabinoid system can be a valuable aid for insomnia. In principle, CBD is suitable for all people whose sleep problems rob them of their strength in everyday life. Only pregnant women and people with liver dysfunction should refrain from using it, as there are not yet enough studies on its safety.
Using CBD correctly for sleep disorders - dosage and concentration
Most people use CBD in the form of oil, as it is easy to dose and use. It is important that certified oil is used, as this is the only way to ensure CBD quality. There is no generalised answer as to the appropriate dosage. Everyone reacts differently to the use of CBD. The endocannabinoid system plays a role, as it is not equally active in all people. In the case of severe sleep problems, it can take several weeks to find the ideal CBD dosage.
Recommendations for the treatment of insomnia and other complaints are to slowly introduce CBD. For some people, just a few drops of CBD oil are enough to significantly improve the quality of sleep. Others need higher doses until they notice a clear effect.
Rule of thumb: If CBD oil is being used for the first time to treat sleep disorders, a 5 % concentration is sufficient. Experienced users report an initial dose of two drops, which is later increased week by week. The feel-good dose is reached when the CBD has significantly improved sleep and the waking phases in bed have decreased.
Combining CBD oil with effective solutions - for really good sleep
Although over 50% of German citizens have heard of CBD and it is very popular in society, it is not a miracle cure. For some users, however, it is the basis for optimising their sleep behaviour and thus contributing to the recovery phase of the mind. In addition to using CBD oil at night, other measures help to alleviate various forms of sleep disorders:
- A good bed along with a high-quality mattress plays a huge part in the quality of sleep.
- Avoiding blue light (smartphone, laptop) supports the production of the sleep hormone melatonin.
- A comfortable sleeping temperature of between 18 and 20 degrees helps to improve the quality of sleep.
- Mindfulness exercises, meditation or autogenic training help people with insomnia to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Conclusion: cannabidiol could effectively alleviate sleep problems
It is another point that CBD has been able to collect in initial studies and, above all, in numerous field reports. The use of CBD oil is clearly associated with an improvement in sleep disorders that can occur in people for various reasons. Whether CBD improves sleep seems to depend largely on the causes. In principle, any new sleep disorder should prompt a visit to the doctor. Sometimes new illnesses prevent people from sleeping, in which case the cause needs to be treated. If sleep is disturbed due to psychological components, pain or discomfort, there is much hope for CBD. It can be assumed that there will be more studies on this topic over the next few years.
