Millions of people have difficulty getting sufficient sleep on a nightly basis. Stress, discomfort, and over-stimulation can all take a toll on your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep through the night. Many people are turning to CBD for sleep support, thanks to its well-known calming properties.** Those calming effects have made CBD (short for cannabidiol) a foundational ingredient in many natural sleep aids. If you’re looking to dial in your sleep, CBD sleep aids may just be the perfect choice for you!
Sleep and Your Health
Sleep is vital for good health. When you sleep, your body restores and repairs itself. Toxins are removed from the body. The brain sorts and files memories away. Your pituitary gland releases hormones to help repair the body. And cortisol levels lower, giving your body the opportunity to relax, free of its “fight or flight” response. In short, your body renews itself so that it can function properly when you wake up the next day.
The proper amount of sleep varies per person, and is somewhat dependent on your age. The CDC says that adults require at least seven hours of sleep every night. Older adults need even more. Unfortunately, one-third of all Americans don’t get their recommended amount of sleep—meaning a third of us aren’t getting all of those wonderful sleep benefits!
The Benefits of CBD
The endocannabinoid system is a network of receptors located in the various organs and systems of the body. This system helps to maintain homeostasis, or balance, throughout the body. This, in turn, helps to regulate several of the body’s most crucial functions, including mood, memory, pain, stress, motor control, and (you guessed it) sleep. When CBD and other cannabinoids interact with the ECS, they mimic the body’s own endocannabinoids and help to bolster this system.** This interaction produces a number of wellness benefits, including a calming effect on the mind and body that can be a positive influence on sleep.** Because of this calming effect, CBD has become a popular base ingredient in a number of natural sleep products.
The Importance of Quality
Hemp is a bioaccumulator, meaning it sucks up pretty much everything in the surrounding soil. This is great for absorbing nutrients, but not so great when it comes to pesticides, heavy metals, and other potentially harmful compounds. That’s why it’s important to only shop for CBD products made with organic hemp.
How the oil was extracted from the hemp plant is important, too, as some methods can leave behind potentially harmful solvent residues. That’s why the preferred method of extraction is with clean carbon dioxide, the absolute purest process available.
It’s also important to look for a Certificate of Analysis, which is a third-party lab report that tells you exactly how much of each cannabinoid is in your product and alerts you to any harmful compounds that shouldn’t be there. It’s vital to confirm the purity and potency of your product with a COA before purchasing.
Lastly, if you’re going to go through the effort of finding a product made with pure, organic CBD oil, you might as well insist on all-natural ingredients, too. Your health is too important to compromise.
So, to summarize, only shop for CBD products that:
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Are made with organic hemp
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Are made with oil extracted by clean CO2
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Come with third-party lab reports to confirm their purity
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Are made with all-natural ingredients
Types of CBD Oil
The type of CBD oil used in your product can directly affect your overall experience. The initial oil extracted from the hemp plant is called full spectrum CBD oil. This oil contains all of the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids of the plant. Broad spectrum CBD is the same oil, only with all detectable levels of THC filtered out, along with some other plant matter in the process. Where this can impact the effects of the oil is tied to the Entourage Effect. This term refers to the phenomenon in which multiple cannabinoids, when taken together, actually bolster one another’s effects. For some folks, that boost makes full spectrum the preferred oil for their CBD products. For others, the small amounts of THC found in full spectrum oil (less than 0.3%, by law) aren’t worth the trade-off. For them, broad spectrum products are the preferred solution. Either way, you still get a robust oil capable of producing a notable Entourage Effect.
Complementary Ingredients
CBD is a great base ingredient for any sleep product, as we mentioned. But the complementary ingredients can be just as important in crafting your perfect night’s rest. It’s important to understand the effects of commonly used ingredients for sleep products, so that you can better tailor your experience to your own needs and preferences.
CBN (Cannabinol)
CBN is a minor cannabinoid that forms as THC (yes, that THC) ages and oxidizes. As it undergoes this transformation, the compound loses its psychoactive properties and gains massive sleep effects. For this reason, CBN is often referred to as “the ultimate relaxation cannabinoid.”**
Melatonin
Melatonin is a natural hormone produced by the pineal gland in the brain. It helps to regulate the sleep-wake cycle, signaling the body that it’s time to sleep. Because of its potent sleep effects, melatonin is one of the most commonly found ingredients in over-the-counter sleep aids.
Sleep Terpenes
Terpenes are natural compounds found in plants that give them their distinct scents. Terpenes can also produce other effects, depending on the exact terpene and the type of plant from which it’s extracted. Some of the most potent terpenes produced by the cannabis plant deliver sleep effects, which can be a powerful addition to any sleep aid.**
Magnesium
Magnesium is a natural mineral with multiple health benefits, including sleep support. It can help calm the nervous system, relax muscles, and reduce stress, allowing for sleep to come more easily.
Passion Flower and Other Botanicals
Cannabis hemp isn’t the only plant that produces relaxing effects. Passion flower, chamomile, valerian root, and lemon balm are also commonly used botanicals for sleep, relaxing the mind and body for a gentle night of rest.
THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)
Some people prefer their bedtime to be a bit more “dreamy.” For folks looking to add a psychotropic element to their sleep, THC can be a wonderful addition to their routine. While it’s not for everyone, many people find that THC relaxes the mind and body and helps the user to unwind—perfect for the end of a long day.
Types of CBD Sleep Aids
There is a wide variety of CBD sleep aids, featuring different formulas and methods of consumption. Here are some of the most common:
CBD Edibles
Edibles, such as CBD sleep gummies and CBD sleep capsules, have the longest-lasting effects of any CBD products. This makes them ideal for sleep, because the effects can last through the night, allowing for a deeper, more restful sleep.** Edibles do take a bit longer to kick in, so you should try to take them an hour or so before bedtime. You can also find THC sleep gummies, for those who prefer the blissful effects of THC in their nighttime routine.
Sublingual CBD Oil Tinctures
A sublingual CBD tincture allows you to absorb CBD and other cannabinoids quicker than you can with edibles, like gummies and capsules. That’s because the CBD and other active ingredients are absorbed through the capillaries under the tongue. This faster delivery to the bloodstream makes a CBD sleep tincture or THC sleep tincture the sleep aid of choice for many.
Building a Better Bedtime
Whichever CBD sleep product you choose, you’ll be enjoying one that’s formulated to help you get to sleep quickly and sleep soundly through the night.** Just make sure to insist on products made with organic CBD oil, extracted with clean carbon dioxide, featuring only natural ingredients, and backed by a Certificate of Analysis to verify your product’s purity and potency.
Sweet dreams!