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11% of Users Use CBD Products for Sleep

CBD products

One in seven individuals in the U.S. say they use cannabidiol (CBD) products. Eleven percent say they use them for sleep. Younger people and those living in the Western U.S. are more likely to use the products, which are being widely presented as having many therapeutic benefits with no psychoactive effects due to their low level of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Although the FDA continues to research the effectiveness and uses of CBD products, marketers and users are claiming they have a large range of therapeutic and medical benefits. U.S. CBD users report relief from a variety of symptoms, including:

  • Pain (40 percent)
  • Anxiety (20 percent)
  • Insomnia (11 percent)
  • Arthritis (8 percent)

These are the top reasons they use them. Men are more likely to use them for sleep than women (15 percent versus eight percent).

Since the Farm Act legalized the cultivation of hemp in 2018, many CBD-infused products have sprung up in the market, but many individuals in the U.S. are still not quite familiar with them or not using them. Those that do use them, state they do so mainly to help them treat anxiety, pain, and sleeplessness.

How Can CBD Help You Sleep?

CBD is one of the primary cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. And cannabinoids interact with your body's endocannabinoid system, helping your body to maintain a state of stability and balance, or homeostasis.

Some anecdotal evidence and research suggest CBD could also help you sleep better. But, the way in which it does may surprise you. 

Various things can cause you to sleep poorly or cause insomnia, including:

  • Depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and other mental health disorders
  • Physical conditions like chronic restless leg syndrome and pain
  • Medication, which disturbs your sleep/wake cycle
  • Environmental factors like an uncomfortable bed and loud noises
  • Caffeine, particularly when you consume it late in the day

If you have insomnia because of related conditions or external factors, CBD might help treat what's causing it.

For instance, research shows CBD can treat anxiety. A study looked to see if CBD could reduce anxiety and/or improve sleep with 72 participants (25 experienced poor sleep and 47 had anxiety). They were all provided with 25 mg of CBD each day in capsule form. Over 79 percent of the participants in the first month reported a reduction in their anxiety levels, and over 66 percent reported better sleep.

Another cause of insomnia is pain, and CBD can help with this as well. A Frontiers Pharmacology 2018 published review noted there's enough evidence for supporting the claim that CBD eases pain. According to the authors of the review, CBD improves sleep by reducing chronic pain.

Other research shows CBD impacts the sleep cycle. A 2014 study looked at four individuals with Parkinson's disease. The research found CBD helped improve the symptoms of REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD). This is a disorder where the individuals acts their dreams out. RBD is linked with nightmares and poor sleep.

How to Take CBD for Sleep

There are various ways you can take CBD, including:

  • Oils and tinctures
  • Vape concentrates
  • Capsules and pills
  • Edibles, like gummies

Generally, taking CBD through vaping gets it into your system quicker than other methods. But, there's not a lot of research on this method, and vaping alone could pose respiratory risks.

The dose of CBD you take, and when you take it will depend on various factors. How CBD works will also depend on certain factors such as:

  • Personal body chemistry
  • Your weight
  • Nature of your sleep problems

What works for some individuals may not work for others.

Most trials on CBD for sleep involve providing the participants anywhere between 25 mg of CBD per day to 1,500 mg. You should start out with a low dose, and slowly increase it until you find a dose that works for you.

Much research on CBD, sleep, and anxiety has shown many individuals don't notice a difference immediately. According to the above mentioned 2019 study, it took around a month for the participants to notice a difference. So, keep this in mind if you decide to try CBD for sleep.

While more research on CBD is needed to fully understand its impact on sleep, many researchers do say it improves sleep because it treats the underlying causes of insomnia. As researchers continue researching CBD, they'll learn more about how and why CBD helps you sleep.

Test Out a CBD-Infused Pillow for Better Sleep

CBD-infused pillows are a soft, comfortable, and relaxing way to get your dose of CBD each night. They can help treat poor sleep and symptoms of insomnia in the same manner CBD by itself does. Whether you’re sleeping poorly because you are experiencing anxiety, pain, or have a health condition where sleeplessness is a symptom, a CBD-infused pillow should help. Order yours today!

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