Can CBD Help With Insomnia

Lately, CBD has been on everyone’s radar. If you’ve been suffering from anything from chronic pain to epilepsy or anxiety to even cancer, someone might’ve already suggested that you look into CBD. 

What is CBD?

And how could it be used to treat so many different disorders and diseases?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a chemical compound found in the cannabis plant. Though it is one of the many ingredients in marijuana, CBD itself does not produce the same effects. 

Many people associate CBD with marijuana, assuming that it’s a drug that people use to get high. But that’s not actually the case. CBD itself is only one of the two primary compounds in marijuana, and it is not the psychoactive one. 

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the psychoactive component in marijuana. It is separated from CBD during CBD production, such that CBD products contain less than 0.3% THC by weight. This is the legal requirement for CBD products in the United States.

One FDA Approved

Currently, there’s only one FDA approved CBD-derived drug: Epidiolex. This is used to treat seizures, especially those resulting from severe types of epilepsy.

But more generally, CBD product has been used to alleviate symptoms of anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. And it’s currently being studied for its use in cancer treatments and to combat symptoms of neurological diseases.

In addition to anxiety, depression, and chronic pain, there’s been another frequent use of CBD: treating insomnia.

People Report Cases of Insomnia

Millions of people report cases of insomnia each year. It’s most commonly related to other symptoms and disorders such as depression and anxiety and can even result from illnesses and as a side effect of medications. 

Because insomnia is linked to so many other disorders that are increasingly being treated with CBD, it’s no wonder that insomniacs have been turning to CBD too.

However, it is important to note that while CBD is being used to treat side-effects of many disorders, its full benefits and overall effects on the body have not been entirely studied. Most of CBD’s credibility is found in anecdotal evidence. On the other hand, the research that has been done on CBD has shown overall high marks, especially in areas involving maintaining the body’s regulatory functions.

How exactly can CBD help with insomnia? If you’re currently suffering from insomnia and are considering trying out CBD, here are some reasons why you should try it:

1. CBD addresses some of the causes of insomnia

Insomnia can come about from a number of issues. Some of them can be treated with CBD. This primarily includes pain, anxiety, and depression.

Pain and anxiety often lead to insomnia, because they can overstimulate you. If you suffer from chronic pain or pain of any kind, this can often make sleeping uncomfortable, making it more difficult to fall asleep. 

Anxiety does something similar, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, tense, or are constantly worrying, it’ll be difficult to fall asleep. Even if you aren’t diagnosed with anxiety, you’ve probably had this happen a couple of times throughout your life. For example, many people find it difficult to sleep the night before a big school exam or work presentation.

The hormonal imbalance associated with depression can often also influence your sleep cycle. As such, the two are often linked. On top of that, each can also make the other worse.

2. CBD helps with regulating your body

CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for maintaining homeostasis. According to CBD Kyro, the endocannabinoid system contains two receptors for cannabinoids, such as CBD. These include the CB1 and CB2 receptors.

The CB1 receptors can be found in the brain. These are important for regulating bodily functions such as coordination, pain, mood, and appetite.

The second type, CB2 receptors, mostly interact with the immune system. This means that it influences inflammation and pain, which can induce insomnia.

3. Few side effects

One of the reasons many people have been using CBD, whether for insomnia or other disorders, is because it’s relatively safe. Unlike many prescription drugs, CBD has few side effects. And the side effects it does have are mild and short-lived. 

CBD’s side effects include nausea, drowsiness, dry mouth, and diarrhea. Using CBD lacks the serious side effects that can be brought on by many medicines such as thoughts of suicide, internal bleeding, and cancer.

Also, there is very little risk of overdosing on CBD.

4. CBD is versatile

CBD has been used to treat many disorders and diseases, and its uses are continuously expanding. Current research has shown that CBD may be effective in alleviating the side effects of cancer as well as Huntington’s and Alzheimer’s.

But not only is CBD versatile in its use, but it’s also versatile in its consumption. What makes CBD so great, is that it’s also available in a number of forms and products, so you can try many different things and see what’s best for you.

According to Daily CBD Mag, CBD tinctures are one of the most popular forms of consumption. Tinctures are typically more potent than other CBD products, though they can be purchased across a range of strengths. These are typically taken through sublingual ingestion, meaning that a dropper is used to deposit CBD under the tongue, where it rests and then is swallowed. 

CBD can also be consumed through vaping, edibles, and topicals, among others. Each consumption method influences how quickly the CBD interacts with your body and is eventually metabolized.

Above are just a few ways that CBD can help with insomnia. If you are experiencing insomnia, it’s best to seek professional help, but CBD can still be used to help mitigate insomnia’s effects. 

Asking A doctor For Advice

Because CBD doesn’t have a typical dosage, if you’re looking to try CBD, asking a doctor for advice can set you on a great path the figure out exactly what regimen works best for you. Typically it’s recommended to take small doses throughout the day, and then slowly adjust or switch forms to see what helps you the most.

At the end of the day, CBD is a relatively safe treatment, and so if you’re considering trying it out, it’ll probably be worth it. The potential benefits that CBD can provide to you greatly outweigh its risks, making it an easy treatment to try out.