Is CBD Good for Sleep? What the Evidence Shows

Increased activity in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, a tiny area responsible for regulating circadian rhythms, has been observed in animal studies following the administration of CBD. A significant mechanism is related to cortisol, a hormone released by the body when stressed, which also facilitates wakefulness. Rather, it operates via multiple indirect routes that assist your body in naturally relaxing.

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you one plant across textiles and extract industries are using. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage. Take one or two of these Sleep Capsules before bed each night as part of your wind down routine.

Let’s get started by looking at exactly what is meant by the term CBD and what this compound is thought to do in your body. Recent research also hints at the potential therapeutic benefits of CBD in sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy, REM sleep behavior disorder, and PTSD-related nightmares 86,87,88. Furthermore, research indicates that plasma levels of OEA are elevated in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and these levels positively correlate with both the respiratory distress index and the body mass index .

Fruit-flavored cannabis gummies are popular, but tinctures (oils that you take as drops under the tongue) make it easier to slowly ramp up your dose to get the desired effect. Sometimes, chronic pain, anxiety, or just feeling like you can’t turn off your brain at night may be interfering with your sleep. Nearly 80% of Americans live in a county with at least one cannabis dispensary, which can be a good place to start. Currently, anyone in the US can purchase CBD-based products derived from hemp, a variety of cannabis with low THC levels. A 2022 review of previous research on cannabinoids and sleep disorders noted that while enthusiasm for using cannabis for sleep may have surpassed the available evidence, there’s a strong rationale for doing more research in this realm.

Same with tinctures, which are alcohol-based extracts. If you’re curious but unsure where to start, this guide can help answer your questions and clarify some common misconceptions surrounding CBD and its uses. Anyone considering or currently using CBD should speak with a doctor about the safety and possible risks based on their individual circumstances. CBD may interact with supplements and drugs, including antidepressants, warfarin, and more. A 2019 study showed that CBD significantly reduced symptoms in mice with anxiety. For example, a 2018 study on mice showed that CBD reduces inflammation by preventing the release of compounds that trigger inflammation in the body.

Your brain and body get used to the chemicals in cannabis or other drugs. If you’re one of the millions of people who have trouble sleeping, you may have considered a cannabis compound, such as CBD. Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops and starts during sleep, which can have very serious consequences and is usually treated with a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. For tinctures, 30 to 60 minutes before bed is a good starting point. If you’re on any regular prescription medication, check with your pharmacist before adding CBD to your routine. If you’re subject to drug testing, even the small amount of THC in full-spectrum products (legally under 0.3%) could potentially trigger a positive result.

This same receptor is involved in the body’s natural transition from wakefulness to sleep. An older but frequently cited study found that 160mg CBD significantly increased total sleep time compared to placebo. No detail is too small and could help your doctor figure out what’s triggering your sleep issues. Ask about nondrug ways to get a good night’s rest. “We don’t know if (THC) is disrupting sleep architecture at those higher doses,” Sexton says.