Early studies indicate that high doses of CBD can promote sleep. Research found that, compared to placebo, a 160 milligram (mg) dose of CBD increased sleep duration. In general, there is scientific research that supports the theory that there are health benefits of CBD. While more research is needed, the use of CBD can decrease symptoms of insomnia and help you sleep better.
If you have trouble sleeping, the best first step is to consult your doctor and learn more about the causes and treatments. CBD is biphasic, which means that low and high doses can cause opposite effects. These effects also vary from person to person. While melatonin puts you in a calm state before going to sleep, CBD can make you feel alert when taken in low or moderate doses.
At higher doses, studies have associated the use of CBD with increased sleep. However, in a 3-month study in which participants with anxiety took 25 mg to 50 mg of CBD, researchers found that sleep improvements decreased month after month. The hypothalamus, which plays an important role in the ECS, affects sleep regulation, says Daniel Whitelocke, MD, D. Circadian rhythms are 24-hour cycles that, among other functions, help our body fall asleep at night and wake up in the morning, and research suggests the factors of ECS in that cycle.
CBD can treat restless legs syndrome (RLS), a neurological condition that can affect the quality and quantity of sleep by causing an unpleasant and uncontrollable need to move your legs. Early research suggests that CBD may reduce the frequency of abnormal nerve shots that lead to involuntary muscle contractions, which is the hallmark symptom of RLS, says Dr. Whitelocke says that for people who cannot tolerate the intoxicating effects of THC, CBD ingested or used topically offers an alternative for analgesia (or pain relief). Strachen says that CBD is a low-risk intervention and that drug interactions with CBD products are rare.
It's important to talk to your doctor before starting a CBD regimen, as it can increase liver enzymes in people taking medications metabolized by the liver. CBD is a safe alternative to prescription medications for sleep, adds Dr. Similarly, Dr. Whitelocke says it's important to keep your doctor informed of any treatment you perform so that they can effectively advise you based on your specific health problems and other medications you use.
CBD can be extracted from the marijuana plant or hemp plant, which are both strains of the Cannabis sativa plant. Hemp is a cannabis plant that contains high levels of CBD and low levels of THC or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the chemical compound that causes the “high” of cannabis plants. Every day, hemp is used in tens of thousands of ways, from ropes and insulation to cooking oils, protein powders and CBD products, which are often derived from hemp and sometimes marketed as “THC free”. National Library of Medicine, CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a chemical compound from the Cannabis sativa plant, which is also known as marijuana or hemp.
While marijuana remains illegal in many states, cannabis derivatives that contain less than 0.3% THC (hemp) and CBD are legal and can be found in stores across the country.
