Can CBD improve your sleep?
As cannabis and its derivatives continue to be legalized, people are increasingly interested in its health benefits.
are exploring the possibility of cannabidiol (CBD), which is a compound in cannabis that helps with anxiety, stress and sleep.
What does science say about CBD? Is CBD a good sleep aid, or just marketing hype?
CBD Has Different Effects Than THC
The cannabis plant contains a variety of phytochemical compounds including flavonoids, terpenes and cannabinoids. Cannabinoids include:
- Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. — the main psychoactive component which makes users “high.”
- Cannabidiol, or CBD. A less-psychoactive component commonly associated with the plant’s purported benefits.
This may allow some people to enjoy the benefits of cannabis without the associated “high.” Some people may be able to enjoy the benefits of cannabis, without the “high .”.
Does CBD Help You Sleep?
People have reported that CBD-rich products make them sleep better. The latest clinical studies suggest that CBD has minimal or no benefits to sleep quality when compared with a placebo.
CBD and cannabis use is associated with reduced sleep quality .
CBD has a number of potential benefits. However, there are some important caveats.
In one study, approximately two-thirds of patients showed improvements in sleep scores after the first month CBD treatment . However, these results varied and decreased significantly over time.
A study showed that cannabis use could lengthen sleep duration , particularly in older and middle-aged adults. However, this did not translate into better sleep quality.
Cannabis shows some promise in terms of being a safer alternative to other sleep aids like alcohol, opiates, and antidepressants.
Overall, there are not enough studies to support the use of CBD or cannabis as a treatment for sleep disorders such as insomnia, particularly when taking into account withdrawal symptoms, tolerance and abuse potential.
Help with Sleep Quality is Available
Cannabis is not FDA approved for medical purposes. FDA states that certain companies market cannabis and cannabis-derived product in deceptive and unsafe ways.
Although CBD is generally considered to be safe for most users, some may experience mild side effects or addiction disorders and withdrawal symptoms.
You should consult your doctor if you are suffering from insomnia or any other sleep disorder. You can work with your doctor to identify the cause of your insomnia and create a treatment plan that suits your needs.
Making simple lifestyle changes like maintaining a regular sleeping schedule, avoiding alcohol and caffeine before bedtime and creating a comfortable sleeping environment can be more effective and safer than CBD products.
