What is CBD?
Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is one of over 100 chemical compounds in a group of molecules called “cannabinoids.” CBD is a type of cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant, and is well-known for its plethora of benefits– without the intoxicating effect of feeling ‘high’) often associated with consuming Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC.) Cannabinoids such as CBD can help with getting a great night’s rest! Keep reading the article to find out when to take CBD for sleep to get a better night’s rest.
What is CBD used for?
CBD is truly a versatile drug with many uses. It is an antioxidant, which means it is an anti-inflammatory compound that helps decrease the inflammation in affected areas of the body. Inflammation tends to be at the root of many conditions, and therefore, CBD has a diverse range of uses in supporting healing and wellness. A few examples of uses of CBD are listed below:
- Pain management – joint or muscle pain
- Dermatology – inflammation or irritation of the skin
- Brain health – improved focus/concentration, racing thoughts, and low mood
- Sleep – increased quantity of time and quality of sleep
Why might someone need a sleep routine? 
A sleep routine could be useful for many reasons. For some, it adds structure to their night which allows your mind and body to differentiate between night and day. Following a set sleep routine, it cues your body that bedtime is approaching and helps your body/mind calm down after a hectic day. The best part of a sleep routine is that it can be customized to your lifestyle and liking. Start off with deciding a set bedtime, one that you can adhere to every evening and one that allows you to get enough sleep. Then add on other items to your sleep routine to allow your body to know it’s bedtime such as putting your phone away 2 hours prior, taking a shower, reading a book, making yourself a herbal tea, taking your CBD oil, listening to a guided meditation with headphones on, light stretching, or journaling to leave behind all your racing thoughts on a paper and not in your mind.
Having a sleep routine is a great way to take care of yourself and your body; sleep is essential to being a healthy and fully functional human being, and it is absolutely vital to get enough sleep. When to take CBD for sleep can make a big difference in the quality and quantity of your sleep.
How much sleep should I be getting?
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and Sleep Research Society (SRS), adults should be sleeping 7 or more hours per night. They observed that sleeping less than 7 hours a night on a regular basis is associated with poor health outcomes such as weight gain, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and so on. It is also associated with poor performance, increased errors, and greater risks of accidents.1
What is the benefit of using CBD for sleep?
A plethora of studies show the benefits of using CBD or sleep, in fact, this has been scientifically proven since 1843 (2)! It has been studied and proven that endocannabinoids play such a large role in sleep and sleep neurophysiology (3). An underlying cause of insomnia tends to be anxiety, and there have also been clinical trials that show that CBD treats anxiety as well. This ultimately means that the CBD is helping the person sleep by reducing their anxiety. Additionally, as mentioned earlier, CBD is also an antioxidant, so CBD can help with other underlying issues that can be attributed to the inflammation as well.
Who should and shouldn’t use CBD for sleep?
Those that suffer from any range of sleep disorders, from narcolepsy to insomnia should certainly discuss with a medical provider if they qualify to start CBD therapy.
CBD may interact with medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements, so be sure to discuss with a medical provider prior to initiating CBD therapy.
When To Take CBD for Sleep?
When to take CBD for sleep depends on if you want to take CBD to fall asleep or stay asleep. If you want to take CBD to fall asleep then its best to take it 30-60 minutes before bedtime and if you want to take CBD to stay asleep then it’s best to take CBD right before sleeping.
The bottom line
CBD can be very helpful in aiding people with getting proper sleep. There has been a diverse array of scientific evidence proving the effectiveness of CBD in aiding with sleep disturbances. If you think you may qualify for CBD treatment for sleep disorders, please talk to your doctor and take a look at the products offered on your website.
This article was written by Dr. Choudhury and Dr. Peace Lily Scientific Communications Intern, Greta Johnson. She is a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) student at Northeastern University School of Pharmacy at the Bouvé College of Health Sciences in Boston, Massachusetts.
Citations
(1) Watson NF, Badr MS, Belenky G, et al. Recommended Amount of Sleep for a Healthy
Adult: A Joint Consensus Statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine
and Sleep Research Society. Sleep. 2015;38(6):843-844. Published 2015 Jun 1.
doi:10.5665/sleep.4716
(2) Clendinning J. Observations on the medicinal properties of the Cannabis Sativa of
India. Med Chir Trans. 1843;26:188-210. doi:10.1177/095952874302600116
(3) Kesner AJ, Lovinger DM. Cannabinoids, Endocannabinoids and Sleep. Front Mol
Neurosci. 2020;13:125. Published 2020 Jul 22. doi:10.3389/fnmol.2020.00125