According to studies, between 30 and 35 percent of adults experience insomnia each year, and 15 to 20 percent suffer from short-term insomnia disorders. This is a serious problem, as sleep issues can result in a lack of energy and focus, irritability, and even physical discomfort. Ever since it was legalized in 2018, cannabidiol, or CBD, has taken the world by storm for its multitude of health benefits. And alleviating insomnia is one of them.
What is CBD?
CBD is one of the compounds found in the cannabis sativa plant, more commonly known as marijuana. Unlike marijuana, however, CBD will not get you high. This is because CBD contains less than 0,3 percent of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, which is the psychoactive component of cannabis. As such, CBD has all the beneficial properties of cannabis without its side effects.
What is Insomnia?
If you struggle to fall or stay asleep despite being in an environment conducive to rest, you may be suffering from insomnia. Having sleeping problems, however, does not necessarily mean that you are suffering from an insomnia disorder. Nevertheless, the more common, severe, and disruptive to your life, the more likely it is that your sleeping problems constitute an insomnia disorder.
How Can CBD Help?
CBD for sleep works by interacting with the endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for a wide range of processes including mood, pain, anxiety, and sleep. As such, CBD can alleviate stress and anxiety, both common causes of insomnia. It does this by regulating cortisol, which is a stress hormone that can affect non-REM sleep cycles.
Insomnia can be caused by a huge number of issues, other than stress. Here, CBD can also help. If you are suffering from sleeping problems due to chronic or acute pain, CBD can be a great alternative to prescription or over-the-counter painkillers. According to Cannabee, CBD is also a muscle relaxant, and is a promising treatment for tremors associated with Parkinson’s disease. Insomnia can also be the result of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. And since CBD alleviates anxiety, it can also benefit those suffering from this debilitating condition.
Best of all, since CBD regulates the body’s sleep/wake cycle, it can also be used to increase energy levels and alertness if taken during the day. This is important since daytime sleepiness can be an issue for those suffering from insomnia at night.
How to Use CBD for Insomnia
CBD comes in a variety of forms including oils and tinctures, pills and capsules, vapes, and edibles. While vaping is the fastest way of getting CBD into your system, it is not recommended due to potential respiratory issues. Tinctures and sprays are a great alternative, as they also offer relatively fast effects. Edibles and pills release CBD at a slower rate, but may help you stay asleep for a longer period of time.