The Complete Guide to Taking CBD for Sleep

Did you know that improving sleep is one of the three most commonly cited reasons for taking CBD? If you're interested in CBD's sleep-boosting benefits, read on.

Key Takeaways

• CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system. This complex system regulates various bodily functions, including sleep.
• Multiple studies have demonstrated that CBD can help people fall asleep quicker, stay asleep longer, and wake feeling more rested.
• The three most common reasons people take CBD are for pain, anxiety, and sleep. By helping treat pain and anxiety, CBD can naturally boost sleep, too.
• How much CBD to take depends on the product, how you're taking it, your specific body composition, and other factors. In general, it's best to take the recommended dose of your specific product.
• We recommend taking two of our Sleep and Soothe gummies about 30 minutes before bed.

See Related: Is 6 Hours of Sleep Enough? Here's What Science Says

What Is CBD?

Cannabidiol, otherwise known as CBD, is one of many compounds that are found in the hemp plant. It has exploded in popularity in recent years thanks to a number of potential health benefits.

That includes helping people who have trouble falling asleep!

To understand how to take CBD for sleep, you need to know a little about how CBD works. It interacts with the endocannabinoid system in your body. This complex system helps regulate various important bodily functions, from mood to appetite to immune function.

And yes, sleep too. 

Is CBD Psychoactive?

The short answer is no. 

You're likely thinking of tetrahydrocannabinol, otherwise known as THC. It's also found in the cannabisplant. As you might be able to tell from the name, it's related to CBD, but has very different effects.

THC is the stuff that gets you "high" when you take marijuana. Unlike THC, CBD has no such psychoactive effects.

Now, you might have noticed that many CBD products contain trace amounts of THC. In the U.S., that amount is capped at 0.3%. 

That means when you buy from reputable manufacturers (like us!), you can be sure you won't be getting more than trace amounts of THC. 

At these levels, THC will not have psychoactive effects. In fact, the presence of THC and other cannabinoids can actually boost the efficacy of your CBD! We'll cover that in more depth below.

Is CBD legal?

Thanks to the 2018 Federal Farm Bill, hemp is legal to produce across the US. In turn, CBD products are also legal! That is, as long as they contain less than 0.3% THC.

That said, local regulations might vary. Some states are more restrictive on the sales of CBD. For example, some states prohibit CBD products derived from marijuana. Others require a medical license to possess CBD. 

Furthermore, some employers, like the federal government, have restrictions on the products their employees can take.

Always make sure to check the laws and regulations in your area before diving into the wonderful world of CBD. But rest assured, hemp-derived CBD products, like those we sell, are federally legal.

How CBD Affects The Body

As we mentioned, CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system. But it also interacts with other receptors across the body, including some associated with pain, inflammation, and serotonin.

What does all this mean?

Common Effects of CBD

CBD can cause a wide range of effects. These effects, in turn, can vary based on a number of factors. The dose, how you take it, what product you use, and your specific body composition can all impact CBD's effect.

That said, here are some of the most common effects of CBD:

• Stress relief: CBD is widely used to reduce anxiety.
• Pain management: Many people find CBD helps relieve pain. It's especially popular among people with chronic pain conditions.
• Reduced inflammation: Athletes, for example, might take CBD products to help recover from a workout.
• Seizure reduction: The FDA has approved one CBD-containing medication to treat certain forms of epilepsy, a condition that causes severe seizures. 
• Mood enhancement: Some people find that CBD products help boost their mood.
• Muscle relaxant: CBD products are used by some people to reduce muscle tension.
• Brain health: CBD is thought to be neuroprotective, meaning it protects neurons from degeneration. Some people also take CBD products to boost their mental clarity.
• Skin health: When applied topically, CBD can bring many benefits. We offer a CBD Joint and Muscle Relief, Anti-Aging Hydrating CBD Cream, and CBD Pain Cream Rub, among other topical CBD products. 

Like anything, CBD does also have some potential side effects. These are usually very mild. They can include:

• Dry mouth
• Drowsiness (which, if you want a sleep aid, might not be a side effect at all!)
• Change in appetite

Note that CBD can also interact with other medications. If you're taking other drugs, or prescription medications like blood thinners, make sure to check that they won't interact with CBD.

Hold on. You might have noticed we missed one common effect from the above list. Can you guess what it is?

That's right. Improved sleep quality!

CBD is widely used to treat issues with sleep. It's thought to help people fall asleep and have more restful sleep.

Let's dive into the science of CBD and sleep now.

Bonus: When Do CBD Gummies Kick In and How Long Do They Last?

What We Know About CBD and Sleep

The FDA hasn't approved nonprescription CBD products for sleep - at least not yet. But research suggests that CBD can act as a powerful natural sleep aid.

As we noted above, one of CBD's common side effects is drowsiness. When taking CBD oil for sleep, that's not a side effect at all. It's a great benefit!

In fact, a Forbes Health Survey found that improving sleep quality is one of the most common reasons people take CBD. Among people aged 77 and up, it's the most common reason to take CBD.

A study from 2023 came to a similar conclusion. Alongside pain and anxiety, sleep is the most common reason people give for using CBD. Interestingly, this study also found that CBD use resulted in less use of over-the-counter and prescription medication.

That's great anecdotal evidence. But what does the science say?

Research Into CBD and Sleep

Multiple studies have demonstrated CBD's ability to help with sleep.

Let's quickly look at a few recent ones:

• Better sleep quality: One study from 2023, published in Nutrients, found that 50mg of CBD taken daily for two months resulted in significantly improved sleep quality. 
• Insomnia: A review from 2022 found that short-term CBD use could help with insomnia.
• Improved sleep: A 2023 study published in Med Cannabis Cannabinoids found that CBD use resulted in improved sleep. Participants also reported feeling healthier overall.
• Longer sleep: A study from 2023 found that CBD increased the time people were in non-REM sleep. 
• Anxiety and sleep: A study from 2019 published in Permanente Journal found that CBD use decreased anxiety and improved sleep in most patients.

Why CBD Improves Sleep

Despite all this research, it's still not entirely clear why CBD is so helpful for sleeping. 

Of course, CBD can cause drowsiness directly. But that doesn't explain why it improves the quality or duration of sleep.

One possible reason, as explained by the Harvard Medical School, is that CBD can help alleviate other symptoms that might impact sleep. 

Anxiety and pain, for example, are both hugely detrimental to sleep. They can keep you awake, cause you to wake in the middle of the night, and generally leave you feeling tired and unrested.

As we've discussed, CBD is frequently used to treat both anxiety and pain. By helping treat those conditions, it might also help individuals sleep, too. 

How Much CBD to Take For Sleep

This is the big question. In general, it's best to start at a low dose and go slow. 

We provide recommended doses on all of our products. 

For example, we recommend taking one of our Sleep and Soothe CBD Gummies to relax and two to sleep.

Best Type of CBD For Sleep

CBD comes in all shapes and sizes. Common CBD products include:

• CBD oil (you can even try our THC oil for a more therapeutic and enlightening experience!)
• CBD gummies
• CBD tincture
• CBD vapes

Generally, you should take whatever CBD product works best for you. If you don't like taking CBD oil, for example, try gummies. If the naturally occurring sugar in gummies interacts with your sleep, try an oil or tincture.

But what about the specific contents of a certain CBD product?

Products with THC

When CBD is taken with other cannabinoids, something special happens. It's called the entourage effect. The other cannabinoids boost the efficacy of the CBD.

In fact, research suggests that CBD doesn't help insomnia unless it's taken alongside these other cannabinoids. 

Fortunately, our Broad Spectrum Hemp Extract and Full Spectrum CBD Tincture contain a wide range of cannabinoids and terpenes from the hemp plant. 

Other Factors That Impact Sleep

While CBD can help treat sleep disorders and promote restful sleep, it's important to ensure you're taking other steps to help you sleep better too. Several factors can impact sleep.

Your sleep issues might be caused by the following:

• Light: Sleeping in the dark is best. If you can't block out the light with curtains or a blind, consider a sleep mask. Getting natural light after waking also helps with sleep.
• Sleep cycles: It's thought we sleep in cycles of 90 minutes. Waking up at the end of a cycle might help you feel more rested.
• Comfort: You'll sleep better when in a safe, comfortable location.
• Mental health: All kinds of mental health conditions can negatively impact sleep. Conversely, techniques like journaling and meditation can promote restful sleep.
• Screens: Avoid looking at electronic screens for at least 1 hour before bedtime.
• Routine: You'll sleep better when going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.

Conclusion

Few things are more frustrating than not getting enough sleep, or waking up feeling unrested. While plenty of factors can impact sleep, CBD is a simple and science-backed remedy that can help you fall asleep faster, stay asleep for longer, and wake up feeling more rested.

Keep Reading: How To Make Pot Brownies At Home

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Clean Remedies is a woman-owned, independent family business that uses clean and natural hemp extract to create products that are free from harmful chemicals, cruelty-free, and made in the USA, meant to benefit your well-being and meet our own high standards of efficacy. For CBD facts, product discounts, and more, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.