CBD May Be The Golden Ticket To Better Sleep

If you're like most people, you cherish a full, peaceful night's sleep. Quality sleep helps with stress, decision-making, and our overall health. However, many find that a regular, good night's sleep is hard to attain. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control, "About 70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep problems." Because of this, many turn to sleep supplements, therapies, and prescriptions to get a better night's sleep.

Some products that help us feel sleepy, like alcohol and over-the-counter sleep aids, could be doing more harm than good. Wine and beer are inflammatory to the body and could actually prevent us from entering a deep sleep or REM cycle (via Monument). Over-the-counter sleep aids are also hard to regulate correctly. Some report waking up feeling groggy, disoriented, or anxious. Because of these hesitations, more and more people have been turning to CBD for relief from sleepless nights.

Unlike many over-the-counter medications, CBD or Cannabidiol is a natural substance extracted from the cannabis sativa plant, making many who turn to CBD for sleep relief feel better. As stated by Forbes, "CBD interacts with neuroreceptors in your endocannabinoid system, which sends signals between your cells to help regulate your movement, mood, homeostasis and immune system." Unlike marijuana which includes THC, CBD is not psychoactive. Those who are looking for relief from pain or help with sleep can find this relief in CBD without the mind-altering effects of cannabis or the side effects of prescription sleep aids (via Healthline).

In addition to this, most people's cortisol levels peak in the morning, but those who suffer from sleepless nights could have raised cortisol levels throughout the night. In a recent study, researchers found that CBD helped participants with high anxiety sleep better throughout the night, especially in the short term. This same study found that CBD is better tolerated by more people than psychiatric medications.

If you're interested in giving CBD a try to relieve anxiety and stress at night that can cause insomnia, there are many forms of CBD available for purchase. Some prefer to inhale CBD through a vape pen, and others prefer gummies or topical lotions. For more immediate relief, consider CBD in oil form and apply the directed amount of drops under your tongue (via Consumer Reports). Most sources recommend starting with a small dose and moving up incrementally until you find the best dose for a peaceful sleep.

If you are looking for help getting better sleep, there may be a natural anti-inflammatory option for you that you can buy over the counter and in most department stores — CBD in gummy, lotion, or oil form is credited with helping many calm their anxiety and sleep through the night without interruption. As with any sleep supplement, talk with your doctor and see if this is right for you.