Consumer Reports on CBD and Sleep
Today, individuals are using cannabidiol, or CBD, to help them sleep. CBD is a cannabinoid found in hemp that doesn't produce psychoactive effects in the way THC does. It's recently increased in popularity because it has the potential of treating health issues like anxiety, pain, and sleep problems.
CBD Helps with Sleep
Consumer Reports recently surveyed 1,267 U.S. adults. According to the survey:
- Around 10% of people in the U.S. reported trying CBD to help them sleep better.
- Nearly 80% of Americans claim they have sleep problems at least once weekly.
Further, Consumer Reports also reports nearly 50% said CBD for sleep was very or extremely effective.
CBD contains properties that may help some individuals sleep better, including:
- It may help with short-term sleep issues.
- It can ease pain and anxiety, both of which could make it more difficult to fall or stay asleep.
Other ways CBD can help with sleep are:
Replaces or Supplements Medications
Many existing sleep aids aren't that effective, whether over-the-counter or prescription medications, and they can also pose a risk. Some medications can cause dependence or have serious side effects.
May Be an Effective Treatment for Certain Sleep Disorders
CBD infused oil and other cannabinoids have been used for a variety of sleep disorders, including being a treatment for:
- Restless Legs Syndrome
- REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
- Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
- Chronic pain
- Insomnia
- Other sleep disorders
Like melatonin and other sleep aids, you could use cannabidiol as a sleep disorder remedy to help potentially promote restorative sleep, and treat insomnia.
Promotes a Calming Effect
Evidence shows CBD in your central nervous system produces a calming effect. In a case series, 72 adult individuals complained of either anxiety or poor sleep. After being given CBD, anxiety scores in 57 patients decreased the first month. There was an improvement in sleep scores in 48 patients.
Impacts Your Sleep-Wake Cycle
Some research shows CBD might affect sleep by interacting with certain receptors to potentially impact your sleep-wake cycle. Some research suggests CBD might impact sleep directly because it interacts with brain receptors that influence the daily sleep-wake cycle of the body.
According to biological explanations from scientists on CBD for sleep and anxiety, there have been studies showing how cannabis cannabinoids, like CBD, interact with the receptors in your body (known as your endocannabinoid system (ECS)), which includes your brain. And, your ECS (the receptors) affect your sleep-wake cycle, which could provide an explanation of how CBD may impact sleep directly.
Helps Alleviate Anxiety
CBD might not be so much a treatment for insomnia, but rather an alternative natural method of calming anxious thoughts that could interrupt or delay natural sleep.
CBD might help with sleeping issues by alleviating anxiety. In fact, The Permanente Journal published a study in January where researchers evaluated 72 patients' health records. The patients received CBD for either poor sleep or anxiety. It was a three-month study that showed a decline in anxiety levels, even in individuals whose primary complaint was poor sleep. Patients reported they did experience some improvement in the first month.
Since CBD interacts with a brain receptor that's associated with anxiety, and, since anxiety can affect your sleep, CBD for anxiety may be a helpful remedy.
But, there are questions with CBD for sleep regarding the timing and route of dosing, and the amount to take.
If you've tried other remedies that you haven't found relief with, you might want to try CBD for sleep, but be sure you use it safely. Consult with your physician first, particularly if you're taking other medications CBD might interact with.
Try a CBD Pillow - The World's Most Relaxing Pillow
CBD-infused pillows are comfortable pillows with CBD-infused fabric that produces an all-night calm. Unlike sleeping aids, CBD won't make you feel groggy in the morning. A CBD pillow will provide you with a micro-dose of CBD that works all night long, helping to keep you relaxed while you're sleeping.
Our CBD pillows:
- Contain no herbicides, GMOs or pesticides
- Come with GreenGuard Gold certification
- Come with CertiPUR certification
- Are THC-free
- Are an all-natural sleep aid
The CBD-infused pillow is infused with patented micro-encapsulation technology, where millions of CBD capsules are embedded in your pillow. CBD slow-releases all night long, unlike edibles or topicals.
Another great feature about our CBD pillow is that it is customizable. It will ship “firm” to you, but the filling is removable to make the pillow less firm. You simply unzip the pillow, and remove some of the fill to suit your sleep comfort needs.
It comes with a 10-year craftsmanship guarantee, and is hypoallergenic with a supportive gel memory foam core, and it is made in the U.S.