Insomnia is a sleep disorder that’s typically characterized by difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings, and early awakening. This can result in drowsiness during the day and can have a major negative effect on quality of life.
Everyone has difficulty falling asleep from time to time, but insomnia is defined by these issues more than three times per week. Individuals needing more than 30 minutes to fall asleep are considered to be struggling with falling asleep.
Insomnia can occur for a number of reasons. Sometimes, it’s due to issues caused by our own impact, such as eating too late, using technology before bed, or sleeping on a mattress that’s too hard or soft.
Other times, insomnia is caused by stress. This is the most common reason for insomnia but is often the most difficult to address. Negative thoughts can spiral, creating anxiety and keeping sufferers awake.
Historical evidence suggests that humans have used cannabis to treat insomnia since the beginning of the ancient Chinese empire. However, we are just now beginning to delve deeper into the science behind what makes cannabis a great tool to alleviate the effects of sleep disorders.
Insomnia may be medically treated with sedatives (such as Zolpidem and Zopiclone) or benzodiazepines (Lorazepam, Diazepam, Valium, etc.). However, these drugs come with a high risk of addiction and side effects. Cannabinoids can offer a natural and effective alternative to treat insomnia.
Since cannabidiol (CBD) has a calmingly positive effect on the human nervous system and does not cause any psychoactive side effects, it is an effective choice for treating sleep disorders.
The body's own endocannabinoid system regulates functions like sleep on a cellular level, and is directly stimulated by the active ingredients of CBD. By modulating the body’s ability to establish a sleep cycle, cannabidiol can significantly improve both the quality and the amount of sleep.
Along with strong anecdotal evidence, scientific studies have been conducted to assess the impact of CBD on insomnia. In one 2016 study, CBD was able to improve disturbed sleep, among other symptoms. A 2017 peer review of existing studies corroborates this evidence, citing cannabinoids as a catalyst to help the body regulate REM sleep.
CBD is available in several different forms, all of which can be effective in treating insomnia and giving users a chance to get a good night’s sleep.
Many people who take CBD for insomnia prefer to do so using quick and easy methods, like capsules, and sprays. CBD capsules offer the benefit of having a consistent dosage in every pill, while CBD sprays are a discreet and efficient way to take the supplement.
Edibles and tinctures are also popular and efficient options for taking CBD, especially when you want to sleep through the night. Tinctures are dropped under the tongue and manage to ride the line between fast acting and long lasting. Snacks like gummies and lollipops are commonly infused with CBD, and the effects can last for hours.
Though it doesn’t last as long as ingested methods, vaping is a great way to get the effects of CBD quickly. Try using it in conjunction with other CBD products to fall asleep easily and stay asleep.
Whatever method you choose to use, you’ll want to make sure you take the same dose every evening, about an hour before bed.
The amount of the CBD in each dose can widely vary based on the individual. Each person’s CBD tolerance may vary based on a number of different factors, and it take some trial and error to find the dose that works best to get a full night’s sleep.
Experts do suggest going with a smaller dose in the beginning of treatment to establish a baseline. Start your CBD treatment with a dose of 10-20 mg, two to three times per day. If you haven’t noticed results within a couple of weeks, feel free to increase your dose by 5 mg at a time.
Once you find the dose that works for you, stick with it. CBD doesn’t create a tolerance, so your ideal dose should remain the same no matter how long you take it.
It’s normal to have the occasional sleepless night and tossing and turning doesn’t necessarily facilitate the need for more drastic measures. However, if difficulty sleeping turns into insomnia, try using CBD for your symptoms instead of potentially addictive sleeping pills. You’ll be too busy sleeping to thank us.
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