Effects of CBD during Sleep

Reading time 2-3 minutes

Guide to good sleep

While cannabis plants are known for their recreational use, they also contain hundreds of different compounds that are used for various therapies and medical effects. The cannabinoids discovered in the 1960s—these cannabis compounds—are used to treat all types of symptoms and conditions, from pain and inflammation to anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Can CBD Support Your Sleep?

CBD oil for sleep is important for some people because of its pain relief, while for others it is important for anxiety management. However, there is genuine evidence that CBD may also have benefits for sleep disorders. It has to do with how endocannabinoid signals regulate sleep stability. This study showed that treatment with CBD increased the NREM sleep time and stability in mice. This means that the effects are not only attributed to sleep-related disorders but can also help address the problem itself. It may be able to transition your body from REM sleep to a deeper, restorative NREM sleep. That is better than taking sleep medication that can leave you groggy in the morning.

Medical Effects of Cannabidiol on the Body During Sleep

CBD oil for sleep—scientifically speaking, what happens when you take CBD oil for sleep? Is there a best oil for sleep?

CBD has the ability to reduce anxiety, which has the additional property of improving sleep and limiting insomnia. Smaller doses have been shown to stimulate alertness and reduce daytime sleepiness, helping to maintain the circadian rhythm (the natural sleep clock). CBD has also been shown to reduce REM behavior disorder in Parkinson's patients. In the sleep of a healthy individual, the body is paralyzed during REM sleep. However, when people suffer from REM behavior disorder (a major symptom of Parkinson's disease), this paralysis does not occur, potentially causing these individuals to move during sleep. CBD can help regulate this. It can also improve sleep in people with post-traumatic stress disorder, commonly known as PTSD.

Can Cannabidiol Oil Help with Insomnia?

CBD oil for sleep—the best CBD oil for sleep also helps with insomnia. As mentioned earlier, CBD oil can help limit anxiety, regulate your circadian rhythm, and assist with common neurological disorders that may hinder falling asleep. CBD interacts with the receptor network in our brain, its proteins, and other brain chemicals that are crucial for good sleep. CBD actually reduces the amount of time spent in REM sleep, meaning that people who take it may experience dreamless sleep. That's okay; it's actually a sign of better sleep quality. NREM sleep is when the majority of major neurological and physical healing takes place. People who take CBD may potentially experience much better and more restful sleep quality than those who do not.

Can Cannabidiol Oil Help with Sleep Apnea?

CBD oil for sleep—crazy as it may sound, the best CBD oil for sleep can actually help with sleep apnea. A few years ago, during clinical trials with Sativex—a synthetic version of CBD and THC—a study was conducted that showed positive results for 40-50% of the subjects suffering from sleep apnea. Cannabinoids have effects on the central and peripheral nervous systems that seem to be beneficial for sleep apnea. Although scientists could not pinpoint exactly why CBD helps with sleep apnea, they believe it increases the muscle tone of the upper airways, leading to a more stable region of the vocal cords and reducing the effects of sleep apnea. If you suffer from sleep apnea but do not want to pay for expensive masks, treatments, or surgeries, it may be a more affordable, natural relief to obtain the best CBD oil for sleep. It's definitely worth a try.

How Many Milligrams for Sleep?

What is the dosage of CBD oil before bedtime?

CBD oil for sleep—we have found that CBD oil offers amazing benefits when it comes to sleep, insomnia, sleep disorders, and everything in between.

So, how should your dosage look?

You definitely don't want to indulge excessively, even if the effects aren't too noticeable.

Here's the deal: Not all CBD oils are the same. They also come in different forms, tinctures, edibles, and even as "sleep syrups." Regardless of the form, a rule of thumb is that you need between 10 and 20 mg of CBD for it to work. Less than that, and you may not feel the effects; more than that, and you might experience morning grogginess or some of the other mild side effects we mentioned earlier. No one wants diarrhea before going to bed. The best advice is, as always, to trust your body. Find a CBD oil that you enjoy taking and experiment with the amount. Always start with the recommended dosage and adjust accordingly. CBD is an amazing remedy—it's something that has been around for a long time, but only recently have we discovered how amazing its effects can be. If you're interested in how it works, we invite you to continue exploring it and maybe give it a try (based on the recommendations and supervision of your doctor). In terms of medications, it is a mild, naturally occurring compound that offers many benefits and non-serious side effects. If you suffer from insomnia, don't wait any longer. Find a CBD oil that works for you and find the sleep you deserve. You'll never look back.

Sleep Resources:

• The Sleep Doctor; Understanding CBD: The Calming and Sleep-Promoting Effects of Cannabidiol, Michael J. Breus, PhD., August 10, 2017.
• Echo Connection Organization; How Is CBD Oil Made?, July 26, 2017.
• U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health; An Update on Safety and Side Effects of Cannabidiol: A Review of Clinical Data and Relevant Animal Studies, Kerstin Iffland, Franjo Grotenhermen, June 1, 2017.
• Marijuana Break; 5 Best CBD Oils for Sleep and Insomnia (2018 Review), October 5, 2018.
• Shape; I Tried 4 CBD Products That Are Supposed to Help You Sleep and Here's What Happened, Ashley Mateo, August 5, 2018.
• U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health; Endocannabinoid Signaling Regulates Sleep Stability, Pava MJ, Makriyannis A, Lovinger DM, March 31, 2016.
• U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health; Intranodose Ganglion Injections of Dronabinol Attenuate Serotonin-Induced Apnea in Sprague-Dawley Rats, Michael W. Calik, Miodrag Radulovacki, David W. Carley, October 11, 2013.