Millions of Americans struggle with sleep problems, with one in five having poor sleep. Moreover, 15% of the total US population suffers from insomnia. This can become a big problem as sleep is restorative and extremely important for repairing our bodies and mind.

CBD has become a popular sleep aid, with countless users claiming it has helped them get a restful night’s sleep. Even more, it doesn’t cause grogginess which commonly accompanies sleep pills. But, with so many CBD products on the market, how do you choose the best one for you?

I’ve tried several CBD products from different brands and tracked how they impacted my sleep. Here’s everything you should know regarding CBD for sleep, including the best CBD for sleep products.

 

Quick Summary

• CBD is a cannabis plant extract that became legal in 2018.
• There are many different CBD products that can help with sleep issues.
• You should buy CBD from brands that third-party test their products.

 

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of many chemical compounds found in the cannabis sativa plant. CBD and THC are the two main active compounds. However, unlike THC, CBD isn’t intoxicating, which means you won’t feel high if you use CBD products.

CBD is proven to help with various health conditions, such as sleep disorders, anxiety, high blood pressure, depression, pain, and others.

CBD products can contain three different kinds of CBD:

• Full-spectrum CBD — Contains all compounds in the cannabis sativa plant, including THC.
• Broad-spectrum CBD — Contains all compounds found in the cannabis plant but no THC.
• CBD isolate — Only contains CBD.

Nowadays, many CBD products contain trace amounts of THC, but this isn’t enough to make you feel high. Instead, you get the benefits of CBD with the benefits of minor cannabinoids in full and broad-spectrum CBD formulas. 

 

How Does CBD Work to Help With Sleep Issues?

Studies show CBD helps with sleep issues by calming the nervous system by boosting levels of serotonin in our brains. Serotonin is in charge of making us feel good and emotionally stable. 

Moreover, CBD manages the levels of the stress hormone called cortisol. Cortisol usually peaks in the morning, but people can have high levels of cortisol at night, which leads to restless sleep.

CBD oil is one of the best CBD products for sleep because it has fast absorption and is administered via mucosal dosing. You place a little oil under your tongue and CBD is absorbed straight into the bloodstream, so it doesn’t lose potency by being digested.

Finally, one study even found that CBD can improve the sleep cycle of patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. CBD improves REM sleep behavior disorder, which makes people act out their dreams.

 

Benefits of CBD for Sleep?

We need quality, uninterrupted rest to function properly during the day. Quality sleep also lowers the risk of health issues such as heart disease and diabetes. 

These are the benefits of CBD oil for sleep:

• Stress relief — The main cause of bad sleep in many people is high-stress levels. CBD gummies for sleep and other products calm the nervous system by interacting with cortisol secretion in the body. This helps you sleep better.
• Pain relief —  It’s difficult to fall asleep if we feel pain. CBD is commonly used for acute and chronic pain. CBD interacts with the immune system and regulates pain and inflammation, so we can sleep peacefully. 
• Anxiety relief — Anxiety is another common cause of lack of sleep. People who feel anxiety have a hyperactive amygdala. CBD relieves anxiety by reducing the brain activity in the amygdala.

 

Is CBD Legal?

Yes, CBD is legal under the 2018 Farm Bill. This law removed CBD from the list of controlled substances. However, for CBD oil and other products to be legal, they need to fulfill two requirements:

• Have less than 0.3% THC
• Be derived from hemp, not the marijuana plant

Also, CBD rules differ from state to state. Even though CBD is legal on a federal level, it’s not allowed in some states. You should check state laws, especially when traveling. Finally, keep in mind FDA doesn’t regulate CBD products, and some are inaccurately labeled or contain a high dose of THC.

 

Best CBD Oil Products For Sleep

These are the best CBD oil products for sleep.

CBD Gummies and Capsules

CBD gummies and CBD capsules are infused with CBD oil. They are convenient to use as each gummy has a specific dosage. Plus, gummies are yummy and a great alternative if you don’t like the earthy aftertaste of CBD tinctures and oils. 

Their main downside is that they take longer to absorb than oil. Gummies and capsules need to pass through the digestive system before being absorbed by the blood, so you need to take them an hour before bedtime.

CBD Oil and Tinctures

CBD oils and tinctures are natural sleep aids. They work faster than gummies and capsules. They are absorbed by the blood vessels under the tongue, and go straight into the bloodstream.

If you want a CBD product that’ll put you to sleep quickly, CBD oils and tinctures are the best choice. 

Finally, different CBD brands have different CBD concentrations, so you can control how much CBD you take. You can start with a small dose if you’ve never used CBD before and increase it as needed.

CBD Vapes

CBD vapes work straight away, and you’ll get an immediate sense of calm. However, vapes don’t have long-lasting effects.

 

Where To Buy CBD Gummies For Sleep?

I’ve tried several brands of CBD gummies for sleep, and my vote for the best ones goes to Keoni CBD. You can choose between gummies infused with broad-spectrum CBD oil or full-spectrum CBD oil. 

Each gummy has a medium dose of CBD, which is great if you’re new to CBD, and it’s suitable for people using CBD gummies for the first time.

Most importantly, the manufacturer third-party tests all products, and they list all the ingredients on the label, so you know exactly what you’re consuming.

 

Should You Use CBD for Sleep?

CBD is one of the best natural remedies for a good night’s sleep. You can try CBD oil, gummies, vapes, and other products. 

Make sure to buy from reputable sellers that include natural ingredients and third-party test their products. Check out the brand that helped me above, and have a restful sleep tonight.

 

References

Holland, K. (2019, January 29). CBD vs. THC: What’s the Difference? Healthline; Healthline Media. https://www.healthline.com/health/cbd-vs-thc 

Rapin, L., Gamaoun, R., El Hage, C., Arboleda, M. F., & Prosk, E. (2021). Cannabidiol use and effectiveness: real-world evidence from a Canadian medical cannabis clinic. Journal of Cannabis Research, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-021-00078-w 

Thau, L., Gandhi, J., & Sharma, S. (2019, February 15). Physiology, Cortisol. Nih.gov; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538239/ 

Chagas, M. H. N., Eckeli, A. L., Zuardi, A. W., Pena-Pereira, M. A., Sobreira-Neto, M. A., Sobreira, E. T., Camilo, M. R., Bergamaschi, M. M., Schenck, C. H., Hallak, J. E. C., Tumas, V., & Crippa, J. A. S. (2014). Cannabidiol can improve complex sleep-related behaviours associated with rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder in Parkinson’s disease patients: a case series. Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 39(5), 564–566. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpt.12179 

Shannon, S. (2019). Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series. The Permanente Journal, 23. https://doi.org/10.7812/tpp/18-041

Farm Bill. (n.d.). Www.usda.gov. https://www.usda.gov/farmbill