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02/21/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/22/2022 00:38

Is CBD for Sleep Safe and Effective for Sleeplessness?...

Most of us experience sleeplessness from time to time, but for some of us, it's rather frequent. If you've been tossing and turning just trying to get a good night's sleep, then chances are you have looked into the possibility of a CBD sleep aid. But those remaining worries - is CBD for sleep safe to try? Can you use it on an ongoing basis? Does it really work? - we hope to help solve today.

Today, we're tackling all your questions about CBD for sleep: safety, efficacy, and the pros and cons of CBD tinctures for sleep vs the CBD softgels or CBD gummies for sleep. So, grab a coffee and pry open your eyes - we're going to solve this thing, today, together.

This article is brought to you by the CBD education staff at cbdMD, a CBD industry leader in providing the best CBD for sleep, safe, and natural calming options you can trust.Read here for CBD for sleep options.

Key Things We'll Cover Today

  • What is CBD for sleep?
  • Why do we sometimes have sleeplessness?
  • Is CBD for sleep safe and effective?
  • How can CBD help sleeplessness?
  • Get better sleep: our best tips.

What Is CBD for Sleep?

Because so many people struggle with sleep, having trouble either sleeping through the night or getting to sleep in the evenings, there are a wide range of sleep aids on the market. People who like natural wellness aids look at things like chamomile teas, melatonin supplements, and even CBD, a relative newcomer on the sleep scene.

Many want to know - is CBD for sleep safe and effective? Today, that's exactly what we're going to discover, so you can rest easy and slip right into slumber with the peace of mind of having done your "homework."

First, you may have heard that many CBD products for sleep come in a form known as a "tincture." It sounds a little hocus-pocus, but it's not nearly as scary as it sounds. In fact, it's made this way so you can fall asleep easier. Here's how that works.

CBD Tinctures for Sleep

CBD Sleep TInctures are the most commonly used CBD sleep products. They come in a carrier oil with a small dropper so you measure out the amount of CBD tincture for sleep that you need. Put the drops under your tongue, hold for 30 seconds, and then swallow. The oils work quickly to help you relax, and if you combine that with a sleep-supportive bedtime routine, you can be well on your way to a more pleasant and regular sleep cycle. (The sleep of your dreams, if you pardon the cliché.)

Because the CBD oils are so well tolerated by most people, it's really easy to work into your evening routine without the worry of taking some kind of sleep aid that may or may not become habit-forming. The cannabinoids (that's the CBD and possibly, depending on which CBD formula you choose, THC and other cannabinoids) work quickly within your body's endocannabinoid system to help support your body's systems. These types of products can support a greater sense of calm and help you maintain a healthy sleep cycle.

Pros vs Cons

CBD Tinctures - Pros

  • Not habit forming.
  • Easy to use.
  • Variable measuring so you can get the exact amount that works for you.
  • Works quickly.
  • Comes in berry or mint flavors.
  • Contains melatonin.
  • Comes in two strengths.
  • Vegan-friendly and gluten-free.

CBD Tinctures - Cons

  • May vary in serving sizes due to self-measuring.
  • Some people may not like the flavor of the oils.
  • It's a little more difficult to know how much CBD you are getting per serving (have to calculate this based on amounts and strength).

There are two other CBD for sleep options that take slightly longer to take effect, but the trade-off is ease of use. So, if you want a quick thing that's easy to do, and work it right into your nightly routine, then let's take a look at the softgels and the gummies.

CBD Softgels for Sleep

CBD PM Softgels are super-easy to take and are pre-measured so you know exactly how much you are taking. Take one or two softgels with a full glass of water about an hour before bed.

Pros vs Cons

CBD Softgels - Pros

  • Super easy to take.
  • Pre-measured.
  • Easy to swallow.
  • Fortified with vitamin E.

CBD Softgels - Cons

  • Takes a little longer than the tinctures to digest through the gel capsule.
  • If you have to get up multiple times in the night to urinate, it may not be ideal for you to drink a full glass of water right before bed.
  • Cannot micro-adjust serving sizes like with the tinctures.
  • Not vegan.

CBD Gummies for Sleep

CBD Sleep Aid Gummies are fairly new and are an exciting (with a tasty raspberry flavor!) way to bring on the calm. Simply take one or two of the gummies about an hour before bed. (Chew them up and swallow.)

Pros vs Cons

CBD Gummies - Pros

  • Enjoyable to take.
  • Pre-measured.
  • Delicious!
  • Contains ashwagandha extract.
  • Vegan-friendly and gluten-free.

CBD Gummies - Cons

  • Need to brush teeth afterwards.
  • Some may not like a flavored chew or a gummy.

What Causes Sleeplessness?

Sleeplessness, restlessness while sleeping, or difficulty falling asleep - are all lumped into a medical term: insomnia. These difficulties can be brief and temporary or ongoing and can be caused by natural influences, stress, disease, or other things. Lots of things can disrupt sleep or cause poor sleep, throw off your sleep patterns, or cause chronic insomnia. Here are the most common causes of sleeplessness (whether ongoing or temporary).

  • Stress (acute or ongoing): This could be an ongoing stressful situation at work, as an example, or it could be something temporary, a one-time thing that occurred during your day that replays in your mind while you are trying to sleep. Stress, trauma, and ruminating thoughts can all wreak havoc on your sleep cycle.
  • Discomfort: This could be physical pain, tight muscles, too much heat or cold in the room, uncomfortable sleeping surface, or even your cat who won't stop trying to sleep on your head. If you are uncomfortable it's really difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. Fortunately, these causes are mostly easy to remedy.
  • Some health problems (mental health or physical health) can disrupt sleep patterns, like blood pressure issues, breathing problems, restless leg syndrome, sleep apnea, or even jet lag. It's important to speak with your doctor if you are having ongoing difficulties sleeping so they can screen you for sleep disorders or whatever may be keeping you up at night and recommend a course of action.
  • Some medications or drugs like caffeine or stimulants.
  • Your behavior and lifestyle.
  • Noise.
  • Light sources too late in the evening. (Especially blue light.)
  • Age: certain age groups are more prone to sleeplessness.
  • Delayed circadian rhythms can cause trouble sleeping at night and make it harder to wake.

Is CBD for Sleep Safe for Sleeplessness?

CBD does not contain habit-forming drugs commonly used for sleep aids. Instead, our CBD is partnered with melatonin, which is the body's hormone that kicks in our sleep drive.

Other ingredients in our CBD sleep aids include valerian root, chamomile, hops, and other herbs to aid relaxation and promote overall calm. Full spectrum CBD options are the ones that contain tetrahydrocannabinol, THC, which some people report improves sleep more than the broad spectrum options, but this is variable person to person. Many people report that the health benefits and effects of CBD, whether with or without the THC, helps them to fall asleep and improve sleep quality with little or no side effects.

Some side effects may include dry mouth, nausea, or diarrhea. If you experience any of these when you first begin taking CBD, reduce the serving size to allow your body some time to adjust. Then you may, after a few weeks on that serving size, increase in small increments (by drops) each week until you reach the amount that works best for you.

This is easier to do if you begin with the CBD tinctures and start your CBD evening regimen with a half-serving size as recommended. This gives you some "wiggle room" to figure out the best serving size to improve your sleep. You can use a regular (non-sleep-aid) tincture or softgel in the mornings if you find this gives you more calm during your day.

Is CBD for Sleep Effective?

Check the product labeling to see how many mg of CBD is in the product. Most CBD sleep aids contain melatonin or other relaxing herbal ingredients. For best results, use regularly set a consistent sleep schedule, and be careful with caffeine consumption. Here are some other sleep tips to help you make the most of your sleeping hours.

Get Better Sleep: Our Best Sleep Tips

  • If you are experiencing chronic insomnia - talk to your doctor. They can discuss your sleep patterns with you and any biological or mental roadblocks to your best sleep. They could send you for a sleep study to get to the bottom of your sleep disturbances.
  • De-stress! Stress can really keep you awake at night. A meditation practice, relaxing music at night, or even some therapeutic counseling may help you clear away the mental distress and start getting some better shut-eye.
  • Turn off the lights. About an hour before bed, turn off any sources of light, especially electronic screens, and take that time for quiet, low-light activities or a warm bath.
  • Have a regular and relaxing bedtime routine.
  • Take CBD for sleep a half-hour to one hour before bed and lie down to relax.
  • Remove non-sleeping distractions from your sleeping area.
  • Work out or exercise earlier in the day.
  • Cut out any caffeine in the three or four hours leading up to bedtime (or altogether if you are particularly sensitive to caffeine).
  • Do not rely on alcohol or other addictive substances to help you sleep.
  • Make your sleeping area comfortable and pleasant for sleep.

Sleeplessness Can Be Relieved

One of the most important things to remember when you are struggling with sleeplessness is to not get too anxious or worked up about it. Though it is extremely frustrating, the more relaxed you are when you try to sleep, the better your CBD sleep aid can help.

In Summary:

Is CBD for sleep safe? - Check the brand, study the labeling, and talk with your doctor. CBD is generally well-received, and third-party testing can help assure consistency and quality of the formulas. (cbdMD uses third party ISO-certified labs and is transparent with testing results.)

Use CBD sleep aids with melatonin regularly or for occasional sleeplessness and talk with your doctor if you are experiencing chronic insomnia.

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