Getting better sleep is a challenge for many people, and researchers are exploring whether cannabidiol (CBD) can help. Over 80 different chemicals, called cannabinoids, can be found in the Cannabis sativa plant. The most abundant cannabinoid found is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) while the second most abundant is CBD. Cannabidiol (CBD) is known to have numerous benefits in the body. It works by helping to regulate the endocannabinoid system in the body. CBD helps with sleep disorders in the body in this way. The endocannabinoid system is responsible for how we sleep, eat, and perform major functions in the body. But how CBD helps for a sleep disorder.
What Are Sleep Disorders?
Sleep disorders are conditions that result in changes in the way that you sleep. a sleep disorder can affect your overall health, safety, and quality of life. Sleep deprivation can affect your ability to drive safely and increase your risk of other health problems.
Some Of The Signs and Symptoms Of Sleep Disorders Include;
- excessive daytime sleepiness
- irregular breathing or increased movement during sleep.
- an irregular sleep and wake cycle
- difficulty falling asleep.
Types Of Sleep Disorders.
There are many different types of sleep disorders. They’re often grouped into categories that explain why they happen or how they affect you. Sleep disorders can also be grouped according to behaviors, problems with your natural sleep-wake cycles, breathing problems, difficulty sleeping, or how sleepy you feel during the day.
Some Common Types Of Sleep Disorders Include:
- Insomnia, in which you have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep throughout the night.
- Sleep apnea, in which you experience abnormal patterns in breathing while you are asleep. There are several types of sleep apnea.
- Restless legs syndrome (RLS), a type of sleep movement disorder. Restless legs syndrome, also called Willis-Ekbom disease, causes an uncomfortable sensation and an urge to move the legs while you try to fall asleep.
- Narcolepsy, a condition characterized by extreme sleepiness during the day and falling asleep suddenly during the day.
How Does CBD Help With Sleep Disorders?
CBD can help with sleep disorders by dealing with the causes of sleep disorders. There are several reasons why people have a hard time sleeping. It may be due to mental issues (depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder), certain medicines, continuous intake of caffeinated drinks, and outside factors such as noise.
1). Anxiety
In some cases, episodes of insomnia may be due to anxiety, as well. Although CBD research still has a long way to go, research suggests that it can help treat anxiety, which contributes to sleeplessness. A study conducted by Scott Shannon; MD et al. involved 72 patients. 47 subjects had anxiety, while the remaining 25 experienced a difficult time sleeping. The results showed that a 25mg CBD pill ingestion on the first month showed the following:
- 2% of all the participants said that CBD resulted in lower levels of anxiety; and
- 7% of all the participants said that CBD gave them a better sleep experience.
2). Pain
Another factor that can contribute to sleeplessness is pain, in any form. A study conducted by Frontiers in Pharmacology reported that CBD helps decrease pain, which ultimately reduces the discomfort felt when sleeping.
In another research conducted in 2014 by researchers from the University of São Paulo, Brazil, the subjects had Parkinson’s Disease, which involved a disorder in rapid eye movement (REM) during sleep. The patients had REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) wherein they act out in response to their dreams and have a hard time sleeping. With CBD usage, the symptoms dramatically improved. In line with the study conducted with RBD, another research concluded that CBD intake might help treat the disorder, as well as daytime sleepiness.
Dosage Of CBD For Sleep Disorders.
Dosing is another consideration. Unfortunately, it’s not yet clear exactly what dose of CBD is needed to give a person a restful night’s sleep.
For instance, in a study, the average adult dose used was 25 milligrams per day, whereas, in another study, the participants used 300 milligrams per day.
The dose likely required needs to be individualized and perhaps, titrated, based on its effect.
Factors That May Affect Dosing Include:
- The severity of the person’s sleep disorder
- Medications the person is taking (both sleep-related and drugs that may interact with CBD)
- Side effects experienced (such as whether the person is feeling drowsy or fatigued the next day)
- The formulation used
Forms Of CBD To Use For Sleep Disorders.
Vaping is not the only way CBD helps with sleep disorders in your body system. Other ways give the same results, although there may be differences in the amount of time it takes before the product takes effect. Before you purchase any CBD products, ensure that the products are of organic CBD, lab-tested, and US-grown.
1). Full Or Broad-Spectrum CBD Oil
This form has the highest cannabinoid component out of all. The broad-spectrum CBD oil doesn’t undergo different processes, and you take it as is, which helps preserve a compound called terpenes. Terpenes contribute to the smell and taste of CBD while having its health benefits.
2). Edible CBDs
Different manufacturers sell edible CBD in the form of gummies, truffles, mints, or gum. This form is the most common among geriatric patients, as vaping is not advisable. However, take note that a study published in the journal PubMed Central® (PMC) of The National Center for Biotechnology Information, showed that there is such a thing called ‘the first-pass effect’ wherein the CBD will first pass through the liver and then to the GIT. This process may take up to two hours, with a 20-30% absorption.
3). Sublingual CBDs
Sublingual products are an excellent alternative to edibles if you want to skip the sugar and preservatives. All you have to do is place the product under the tongue. These sublingual CBDs have a faster effect overall. Examples are as follows:
- Oral sprays;
- Oil forms; and
- lozenges.
Possible Side Effects Of CBD For Sleep Disorders.
Research suggests that, in the short-term, CBD is largely safe and tolerable. Some people, however, do experience side effects, such as:
- A change in appetite (either reduced or increased)
- Weight gain or loss
- Tiredness
- Diarrhea
- Increase in liver enzymes
Also, some people may experience a worsening of their sleep quality after taking CBD. This paradoxical effect warrants further investigation. You should consult your doctor if this is the case. Also, try not to use CBD with other medication except a medical practitioner encourages it.
