CBD vs. Melatonin
Around 50 to 70 million individuals in the U.S. suffer from a sleep disorder, according to a 2006 Institute of Medicine publication titled Sleep Disorders and Sleep Deprivation: An Unmet Public Health Problem. It's difficult to find individuals who obtain the sleep their body requires every night, or those who don't reach for sleeping aids when they can't sleep. Since sleep is so important to both physical and mental health, the number of sleep disorders worldwide is alarming.
Because there are certain fears that surround sleeping aids, such as side effects, addiction, or potential accidents, it's led individuals to seek out natural alternatives. Fortunately, there are natural sleep aids, including melatonin and cannabidiol (CBD).
While melatonin was discovered in 1958, and people have been taking it for decades, CBD has recently exploded in popularity for its many benefits, including that it can help people sleep better. A national survey conducted by Consumer Reports revealed that about 1 in 10 Americans who said they tried CBD, and used it to help them sleep, the majority of those people said it worked.
Still, it's worth learning about the two, and how they differ when it comes to helping you obtain a good night's sleep.
Melatonin for Sleep
Melatonin, unlike CBD infused oil, is a hormone your brain's pineal gland produces that helps with sleep-wake cycle regulation. It doesn't necessarily cause you to fall asleep, but rather it tells your brain and body it's time for bed. These are actually two totally different brain processes. Both need to be in sync for you to fall asleep.
Melatonin basically sets your body's gears in motion for you to fall asleep, making them helpful in situations where your sleep-wake cycle becomes disrupted, such as with jet lag, for example.
However, if you're only experiencing occasional sleepless nights, it may not be as helpful as you think. It takes around 90 minutes for it to send your brain the signal to start getting sleepy. Plus, since it has around a six hour half-life, if you wake up the next morning with it still in your system, it can cause you to experience a slight hangover-like feeling.
CBD for Sleep
CBD is a natural compound extracted from the hemp plant, and has been boasted to have many potential benefits for various health concerns. CBD interacts with your endocannabinoid system (ECS), helping your body maintain homeostasis (a state of stability and balance).
CBD isn't psychoactive, unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), so this means it won't get you "high."
A popular use of CBD is in treating sleep disorders, such as insomnia. While the exact link between cannabidiol and sleep disorders isn't quite known yet, sleep professionals believe it helps reduce stress and anxiety, and thereby, induce sleep. If you're experiencing anxiety and stress related problems that keep you from falling asleep or staying asleep, CBD for anxiety may be a good natural alternative solution to traditional sleep aids.
You can take it at least an hour before bedtime, and it could improve your symptoms of insomnia, and promote a restorative night's sleep.
Some 2019 research looked at if CBD might be able to reduce anxiety and improve sleep. This study involved 72 participants, with 25 of them lacking quality sleep, and the other 47 experiencing anxiety. Each participant was provided with 25 mg of CBD, each day. During the first 30 days, 79.2% of the participants said they experienced lower levels of anxiety and 66.7% said they experienced better sleep.
Before turning to a sleep aid, you might want to first try and make some lifestyle changes to help manage your sleep disorder. If this doesn't help, be sure you consult with your doctor on how you can induce sleep, and if CBD may be helpful.
Causes of Poor Sleep
There are many things that could contribute to poor sleep and insomnia, including:
- Medicine, which could disrupt your sleep-wake cycle
- Mental health conditions, like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression
- Caffeine, particularly when you consume it late in the day
- Physical conditions, such as restless leg syndrome and chronic pain
- Environmental factors, like an uncomfortable bed and loud noises
While CBD research is still new, some research does suggest it can treat anxiety, which can hinder quality sleep.
Obtain Restorative Sleep With a CBD Pillow
If you're having sleep difficulties, or are suffering from a sleep disorder, a CBD-infused pillow is a great way to experience the potential benefits of CBD. The pillow contains microcapsules of CBD that break and release microdoses of CBD throughout your system while you sleep. These microdoses go to work to:
- Disarm free radicals
- Reinforce other antioxidants
- Provide your body with potential therapeutic properties
Improve your sleep today, with your very own CBD-infused pillow!