How to take CBD oil to sleep?
Among the multiple applications of modern medicine, we find its capacity in the invention of treatments to help sleep better. However, the side effects of some medications have led to the search for other, friendlier alternatives. One of the most popular nowadays is CBD oil, which has been endorsed by many experts.
Now, does CBD oil really help you sleep? If so, how should it be used, and is there any risk in using it in this way? We will answer these and other questions below.
Is CBD oil useful for sleep?
The first question that arises when recommending CBD oil for sleep is whether it really works. And thanks to the research carried out in this field we can confirm that it is a product that greatly promotes sleep. It is even recommended for use in people suffering from insomnia.
This benefit is due to the fact that CBD oil has properties that promote good sleep. These include analgesic, relaxing and antioxidant properties. All of them make it easier for our body to achieve the perfect conditions to rest more and much better.
For example, its relaxing properties allow the body to be quiet and calm, making it possible to fall asleep naturally. In addition, it affects the way in which the REM sleep phase is performed, which is the stage where we dream, helping to maintain the stillness, and stay asleep longer.
The certainty that CBD oil helps you sleep better is reflected in the study published in the U. S. National Library of Medicine, which shows the effect of cannabidiol in combating anxiety and sleep problems.
All our oils contain CBD, CBG, CBN, CBDA and CBDV. This makes them 4 times more effective than other brands with only CBD.
Using CBD oil for sleep
For some years now, tests have been carried out to determine how much CBD oil influences sleep. Thanks to this, it has been discovered how it significantly and positively affects each of the stages of this, so more and more use is being made of it, in order to achieve this goal.
In order to use CBD oil, it is necessary to take into consideration the recommendations of experts. Below we will see 3 ways in which this process can be carried out, without putting your health at risk.
Sublingually
It is well known that by placing a product under the tongue the absorption is much faster. So by using CBD oil with this method, a fast effect is guaranteed, because the elements that compose the CBD reach the blood faster.
To make use of this method it is necessary to know first what is the dose to use, which will depend on several factors such as age, weight, sex and, mainly, the tolerance of each person to the oil. Each body is different and it is very difficult to estimate how many drops each person should take, so it is recommended to consult a doctor or other expert on the subject to define the amount to use and the frequency of use.
This way of ingesting CBD oil is one of the most effective when you want to reduce insomnia, because its effect is very fast, taking half an hour at most to appear.
As a food or beverage
Another way to consume CBD oil to sleep, perhaps the simplest of all, is by ingesting it, just as if it were a food or a drink (in countries where it is regulated). This method requires more patience to begin to feel its effects, which can take up to an hour and a half to become present.
The idea is that CBD oil reaches the stomach directly and, from there, the body can make use of it. In the case of some people, they add it to drinks or food and then ingest it, making sure to consume it in its entirety.
Through vaping
Although vaping is an effective option, it is one of the least recommended due to the harmful effect it can have on the lungs. However, if the person prefers, this method can be used. The biggest advantage it has is that, thanks to its vapor presentation, it can be absorbed quickly and have an effect in a very short time.
To do this, it is necessary to have a CBD vaporizer at hand, which allows you to inhale the vapor. However, it is important to note that this method should only be used if the CBD liquid obtained is suitable for vaping, something that can be consulted with an expert. It is also important to respect the rules of use of the vaporizer.
Whichever method is chosen, it is necessary to be aware of how to carry out its consumption and the time it will take to take effect. The truth is that all of them are very effective, thanks to the fact that they provide all the properties of CBD and allow a better sleep.
Clinical trials on insomnia
Recently, there has been an increase in scientific publications that have found preclinical and clinical evidence documenting the value of CBD in some neuropsychiatric disorders, such as epilepsy, anxiety and schizophrenia. The evidence points to a calming effect on the central nervous system and in helping with sleep disorders.
Specifically, the studies conducted to date on insomnia and CBD are positive and there is some relevant evidence. However, more specific trials are still needed.
- REM sleep behavior disorders
In REM sleep behavior disorder, patients verbalize and perform aggressive movements during their rapid eye movement (REM) sleep stage. The disorder is more common in older patients with neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
In a study limited to Parkinson's disease patients conducted in 2014, CBD helped control symptoms of REM sleep behavior disorder. Before taking CBD, patients experienced symptoms of the disorder 2 to 7 times per week. After taking it, symptoms appeared 0 to 1 times in a week. More studies are needed, but these initial results suggest that CBD is a possible treatment for REM sleep behavior disorder.
- Excessive daytime sleepiness disorder
On the other hand, those with excessive daytime sleepiness disorder struggle to stay awake during typical daytime hours. One solution to waking up on time and staying awake may be CBD. Initial research conducted by the National Library of Medicine in animals shows that CBD works as a wakefulness-inducing drug. However, more studies are still needed to determine what doses and methods of use specifically affect wakefulness and sleepiness.
In this regard, a 2017 review ratified that CBD shows potential to treat excessive daytime sleepiness as well as regulate REM sleep disorders.
- Insomnia
More recently, in 2019, another research found that, compared to a placebo administered, a CBD dose of 160 mg increased people's sleep duration. The researchers found that cortisol levels decreased more significantly when participants took 300 mg or 600 mg orally. Additionally, these results suggest that CBD affects the reduction of cortisol, the stress hormone.
- Other conditions
According to another study published in 2012 by the National Library of Medicine, cannabidiol helps to improve sleep in people suffering from post-traumatic stress. Especially, it helps in the REM phase and in processes of anxiety and depression. CBD oil acts directly with melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep and wake cycles. When melatonin is supplemented with CBD, the cannabinoid helps to have a deeper and more structured sleep.
The 2018 Frontiers in Pharmacology review noted that there is significant evidence to support that CBD relieves pain, which may also be the cause of sleep problems. In fact, the authors note that, by reducing chronic pain, CBD can improve sleep.
Finally, in 2019, we tested whether CBD could improve sleep or reduce anxiety. Each of the subjects received 25 mg each day, and during the first month 66.7% said they slept better.
- Study in progress
As of May 2020, a new pilot study of CBD and THC use in humans with diagnosed insomnia is underway. The results of the study will provide more information on the effects CBD has on insomnia.
Precautions and side effects when using CBD oil
Although it is true that the use of CBD, in any of its presentations, can generate some unwanted effects, such as, for example, alteration of blood pressure, loss of appetite, or other similar effects, the reality is that these effects are not very common.
Moreover, if both the dosage and the way of using the product are respected, the effects are very positive, while the possibility of suffering side effects is reduced. For this reason, it is very important that the suggestions indicated by the experts are followed to the letter.
It is particularly necessary to be attentive to the regulations of the use of CBD. If used in the right way, many sleeping problems can be eliminated, getting enough rest, enjoying the benefits it provides.
Bibliography
1. Data from Sociedad Española de Neurología (Spanish Society of Neurology).
National Center for Boitechnology Information, U.S. Nation Library of Medicine and Medline Plus, the largest health library belonging to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
3. Sleep Foundation: non-profit corporation referent on studies and articles on sleep.
4.Healthline, Medical News Today and WebMD: specialized health and wellness media.
5. Studies linked in the section "Clinical trials on insomnia and CBD".
Links to these sources of information are found throughout this article, dedicated to the uses of CBD oil for sleep.
*This article is purely informative. It does not provide professional, medical or legal advice.
