Are you struggling with sleep? You’re not alone! 

Millions suffer from sleeplessness and insomnia every night. Can CBD help with sleep?

This article covers CBD and sleep and goes over what you need to know. Find out if CBD can help you fall asleep and finally get a good night’s rest.

Sleep Statistics in the UK 

According to the latest national sleep survey, almost 23% of people living in the UK aren’t getting enough sleep at night.

A recent survey found that adults in Britain get around 34.5 minutes less sleep on average than those in other countries. That’s nearly nine days less sleep than the rest of the world per year.

All that sleeplessness is not only bad for your health but at the national level poor quality sleep of the UK costs the country about 1.86% of its GDP.

“[Our] study showed there is a direct link between bad sleep and poor productivity – both in terms of reduced employee output and increased sick days,” says lead author of a recent study on the economic effects of sleep deprivation, Professor Kevin Morgan of Loughborough University.

He continues, “By contrast, those who felt their productivity had been above average rated their sleep quality higher and fell asleep 5 minutes faster.”

Are you one of those not getting enough quality sleep? What can you do to improve the quality of your sleep tonight? 

Is CBD Safe for Sleep

Generally, CBD is well-tolerated by most adults and is considered non-intoxicating and non-toxic, which means you won’t overdose or feel any of the “high” typically associated with cannabis.

Research conducted on CBD in adults with regular, healthy sleep patterns suggests CBD has no negative impact on normal sleep patterns.

While research is still early, CBD is not associated with any negative side effects, but there are some risks to be aware of such as -

• Pharmaceutical interactions
• Lowered blood pressure
• Change in mood
• Dizziness

As is with any substance, both the benefits and risks must be weighed. CBD has a powerful and natural calming effect that encourages sleep and rest, but be aware that it can lower blood pressure, which may cause dizziness and feeling faint. 

CBD might also alter the metabolism of certain types of pharmaceuticals, which could lead to toxicity. 

If you're on medications that come with a “grapefruit warning” be sure to consult a doctor before trying CBD. Serious medical sleep issues always require professional medical attention.

Risks of Traditional Sleeping Pills

When counting sheep just doesn’t cut it many turn to traditional sleep aids. However, these types of drugs have harsh side effects that impair daytime cognition and can negatively impact the quality of life. 

The traditional go-to-sleep aids include –

• Over-the-counter drugs
• Prescription hypnotics
• Antidepressants
• Anti-psychotics
• Anticonvulsants
• Illicit drugs and alcohol

However, “sleep-promoting” agents such as these can produce adverse effects, particularly in the elderly. This includes side effects that interfere with the quality of life such as,

• Daytime drowsiness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Dry mouth
• Oversleeping
• Nightmares
• Impaired memory

In the case of hypnotics and other prescription drugs often recommended for sleep, the risks are even greater. Again, especially for the elderly who may be prone to falling. The residual side effects of hypnotics for sleep include –

• Sedation
• Cognitive impairment
• Motor incoordination
• Ataxia
• Dizziness
• Gastrointestinal upset

In short, there are a ton of health risks that come with taking traditional sleep-aids and pharmaceuticals. Keep reading to learn if CBD is a better option for you.

How CBD Helps You Sleep

There are many reasons we don’t sleep well. Chronic pain, insomnia, medications, and sickness usually make the top of the list, but by far, stress-related anxiety is the number one reason around the world for a lack of quality sleep. 

How does CBD help you sleep better? The answer might depend on your particular circumstances and why you’re not sleeping well.

This is because CBD targets the endocannabinoid system, which influences the activity and signaling of several different types of neurotransmitters including endocannabinoids, dopamine, serotonin, and others.

CBD’s effects are known to relax nerves and muscles, which can release tension helping the body to rest deeper. It is also known to boost anandamide in the bloodstream, which, among its many uses in the body, induces a “blissful” sedated sensation similar to after eating a large meal.

CBD’s activation of serotonin and dopamine signaling may also provide a “mood-boosting” effect that is naturally calming and could help with stress-related anxiety.

Furthermore, CBD has been shown to suppress cortisol, the stress hormone, as well as cytokines, inflammatory compounds produced by the immune system.

All of these benefits plus CBD’s extraordinary safety profile make it a great candidate to help with sleep due to its safety and lack of negative side effects.

One note to consider CBD and sleep, however, is that CBD increases GABA neurotransmitter activity. GABA helps to put the body into a type of paralysis during sleep.

That could be a good thing, depending on your circumstances. However, for some, taking too much CBD could increase the chance of experiencing an episode of sleep paralysis.

Although a rare side effect, increases in GABA during sleep could potentially increase the chance of experiencing temporary sleep paralysis where the mind is awake but the body is not. This may be a side effect related to dosage and genetic makeup, but further studies are needed to fully understand CBD’s effects on sleep.

This side effect seems to be quite rare and is not considered dangerous, but the experience can be stressful and cause anxiety. 

Each person will have a unique response to CBD due to their genetics, environment, tolerance, dosage/potency, and more. Make sure to read about taking CBD and what you need to know before you try it in our other articles linked below.

CBD Oil for Sleep

Now that you know more about CBD and sleep are you ready to join the millions of others already improving the quality of their lives?

Click here to view our latest catalog of high-quality CBD for sleep and other great UK CBD products. 

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