If you struggle with insomnia, you’re not alone. In fact, studies show that in the United States alone, up to one-third of all adults have brief symptoms of insomnia. Even with a few sleepless nights, chances are that you’ve tried everything you can think of to try and help your sleep troubles. However, what if we told you that you could try CBD oil to help with insomnia?
In this article, we’ll uncover the truth about CBD oil and whether it is a natural remedy for insomnia. We’ll discuss what CBD oil is, how it helps with sleep regulation, and some of the benefits you may enjoy while using it to help with your insomnia. If you’re ready to learn more, let’s dive in!
What is CBD Oil?
For those who may not know, CBD oil is derived from cannabidiol, which is one of the major cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, specifically hemp. This substance has been studied and found to be helpful for a number of different conditions and ailments, ranging from chronic pain to insomnia.
Many people often confuse CBD and THC, but they are different. CBD is non-psychoactive, meaning that there will be no impact on your psychological state as a result of using it topically or ingesting it. On the other hand, THC does include some psychoactive effects that can alter your psychological state while using the substance.
CBD oil is not legal for use everywhere, but for places that do have it legalized—like the United States—it has been sold in the form of lotions, as an additive to certain food products, and even in the form of liquid drops people can add to their drinks. What you may not know is that many experts have found that CBD oil may actually help with our sleep regulation.
How CBD Oil Can Help with Sleep Regulation
One of the most unexpected benefits of using CBD oil is its beneficial impact on sleep regulation. There have been several studies conducted that looked at how CBD oil affects people’s sleep, specifically in terms of how it aids in sleep duration and quality. Participants in one study, for example, experienced a 30% increase in their melatonin production as a result of using medicinal cannabis oil, which combines both CBD and THC (Source: PubMed).
However, even low-dose CBD oil has been shown to help with sleep quality and efficiency. This happens because of how CBD oil interacts with the body. Once ingested or applied topically to the skin, CBD oil interacts with our endocannabinoid system, which is active in the nervous and immune cells within our bodies. More specifically, CBD oil involves the expression of CB1 and CB2, which are both cannabinoid receptor genes. In other words, our body has the receptors we need to interact with this substance to enjoy its benefits.
When we have low doses of CBD oil before we head to bed, this has been shown to help with immunity and sleep quality and quantity, demonstrating the benefits of CBD oil and how it can help with sleep regulation. Aside from sleep regulation, CBD oil can also help with a few other areas that could aid those with insomnia.
The Benefits of Using CBD Oil for Treating Insomnia
Given that our bodies have the receptors necessary to accept and distribute the power of CBD oil into our cells, it would seem that CBD oil is a natural remedy for insomnia after all. Yet, there are so many other benefits that we enjoy with CBD oil that show how it can help with insomnia as a natural treatment option:
- Reducing Stress and Anxiety: CBD oil not only helps us release more melatonin to help with sleep, but it can also help with anxiety and stress. Studies show that people’s anxiety can decrease as a result of regular use of CBD oil to help with sleep (Source: PubMed).
- Relief from Pain and Inflammation: If you struggle with pain and inflammation, CBD oil might be a great option for you to help limit these symptoms and those associated with insomnia, too. CBD has been shown as an effective treatment for chronic pain with few adverse effects (Source: PubMed).
- Improvement in Sleep Quality: As mentioned before, CBD oil has been shown to help improve people’s sleep quality over time. When you couple CBD oil’s ability to reduce stress and encourage pain relief, this is a combination for restful, purposeful sleep!
So, the benefits of using CBD oil for insomnia and improved sleep in general are evident. But how do you use this substance? Let’s get into the most common ways to use CBD oil for sleep improvement and insomnia relief.
How to Use CBD Oil for Sleep and Relief from Insomnia Symptoms
There are various forms of CBD oil that you can choose from, and it all depends on your preference. Many people prefer tinctures that they can use to add a few drops to their favorite drinks. Some even like taking capsules before bed or even an edible that might be in the form of a gummy or chocolate bar. Others enjoy topical ointments and lotions that can be applied to areas where chronic pain is present.
No matter what you choose, be sure to follow the instructions for proper dosage. Only apply the recommended amount and adhere to recommendations for when to take it before sleep. If you can, asking for guidance from a healthcare practitioner is a great idea. They can provide you with insight into the best time to take it, the right dose for you, and what form of CBD would be best for your situation.
Will You Use CBD Oil to Help with Insomnia?
With so many benefits to CBD oil, it clearly can help with insomnia and improve your sleep quality. We hope that this article taught you something new and even helped you uncover a new way to alleviate the burdens of sleepless nights. What form of CBD oil do you think you’ll try to help with insomnia?
