Can't sleep? Loss of sleep has profound effects on physical and emotional health. Many people who suffer from sleep disorders therefore resort to sometimes strong medication. With the result that the natural sleep rhythm becomes even more out of balance.
The term sleep disorder is very broad and includes various medical symptoms such as difficulty falling asleep, difficulty sleeping through the night or even so-called daytime tiredness. Depending on the definition, between four and 35 percent of all people worldwide suffer from temporary or permanent sleep disorders in the broadest sense.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and the Sleep Research Society (SRS) recently published a consensus recommending that adults sleep at least 7 or more hours per night.
No more sleep disturbances
Even short-term sleep deprivation can lead to metabolic changes, epigenetic changes and cardiovascular diseases.
There is hardly any other natural food supplement that is as useful for improving sleep as CBD. This relaxing, calming and natural ingredient targets several sleep-supporting pathways in the brain.
Initial studies from the United States now provide evidence of how herbal CBD can improve sleep.
Data from a recent Consumer Report show that more and more people with sleep problems are using vegetable CBD oils or other CBD products to help them fall asleep or sleep through the night. A large proportion of the people questioned stated that they felt a positive effect on their own sleep by taking them.
How cannabinoids affect sleep
It has been known for some time that the so-called Endocannabinoid system affects various functions in the human body in different ways. For example, in addition to the perception of pain, sleep regulation is also altered because cannabinoid receptors are distributed throughout the body. Nevertheless, they are centred in the nervous system and in the cells of the human immune system. When the cannabinoids dock to the receptors, they unfold their effect.
5 mechanisms by which CBD improves sleep
- CBD can relieve insomnia
One of the most commonly observed effects of administered CBD is sedation. CBD helps to improve not only the general quality of sleep, but also the quantity. - CBD can alleviate fear
Stress-related anxiety can lead to sleep disorders. CBD has been shown to reduce the symptoms of stress and anxiety. In combination with proper sleep hygiene, CBD can be a useful supplement to reduce anxiety symptoms so that we can fall asleep more easily at the end of the day. - CBD can reduce nightmares
If nightmares or flashbacks keep you awake at night, clinical studies have shown that CBD can end or significantly reduce these and persistent memories. - CBD can improve sleep patterns
CBD has shown promising results for people with REM sleep behavior disorder - a disorder that causes people to act physically during REM sleep. It has also been found to support people with excessive daytime sleepiness by increasing the total amount of sleep time. CBD can help reset sleep patterns and positively influence longer periods of uninterrupted sleep. - CBD can relieve chronic pain and thus improve sleep
The endocannabinoid system is involved in the control of pain perception.
Many patients have reported that they have been able to replace their prescription painkillers with CBD, especially in the treatment of headaches, fibromyalgia, arthritis and other chronic pain syndromes. There is even evidence that CBD can be used to stop people from taking opiates/opioids and reduce withdrawal symptoms.
Concluding thoughts on CBD and sleep disorders
With the increasing acceptance of CBD and new research results, we continue to gain a better understanding of the positive effects CBD can have on sleep disorders.
If you suffer from a lack of sleep quality, supplementation of high quality CBD can be the crucial stimulus the body needs to calm the nervous system, slow down and relax when it's time to go to bed.
For best results it is important to take some time to find the best dose for your body. Start with a small dose and gradually build it up over time until you achieve the desired results.
Studies have also shown that the quality of CBD products plays a decisive role in their effectiveness.