Cannabidiol, better known as CBD, has become an incredible force to be reckoned with in today's world. The hemp-derived cannabinoid is touted as a homeopathic remedy to aid with sleep issues: trouble falling asleep, capturing restful sleep, and waking up randomly throughout the night. Because of its ability to help the user enjoy a more nourishing night’s sleep, many users adopt the idea that CBD makes them sleepy. But is this true? Does CBD actually make you sleepy? In this article, we’ll be going over why CBD helps you sleep, whether or not it makes you sleepy, and how to properly use CBD for both sleeping and functioning throughout the day. Before we tackle those topics, we’ll first take a look at what CBD is; this knowledge can help us better understand how this incredible cannabinoid works, and ultimately, how you can make it work for you. Let’s begin!
What Is CBD?
CBD is a naturally occurring cannabinoid within the hemp plant and is available in bountiful quantities. CBD has been broken down into three categories: full spectrum, broad spectrum, and CBD isolate. For users who are looking to harness the “full” power of the hemp plant, full-spectrum CBD utilizes the entire part of the hemp plant. In addition to the CBD, you’ll be consuming other non-psychoactive compounds that can help the user experience what’s affectionately referred to as the “entourage effect.” This concept has not been scientifically proven, but many users staunchly believe that by using all of the components of the hemp plant, there will be a plethora of additional benefits that would not have ordinarily been consumed if only specific parts of the hemp plant were used. Since this variety of CBD uses the whole plant, there will be significantly more THC than compared to broad spectrum or CBD isolate. If you’re subjected to random drug testing at work, full-spectrum CBD may not be the best option.
Broad spectrum CBD is fairly similar to full-spectrum CBD, but nearly all trace amounts of THC have been removed and only certain parts of the hemp plant are used. Since the entire hemp plant was not used, there will not be any “entourage effect” and you’ll most likely be able to pass a drug test. However, broad spectrum CBD may still contain small trace amounts of THC, meaning there may be some risk of failing a drug test. If you’re adamantly against consuming any THC at all, there’s a third and final option when it comes to CBD: isolate. Isolate is a pure form of CBD that has gone through rigorous processing to ensure there is absolutely no THC left behind. This form of CBD is ideal for those looking to avoid THC but still enjoy the benefits of the hemp plant. Now that we’ve discussed the three major types of CBD, it’s time to see if the hemp-derived compound, regardless of which type is consumed, makes you sleepy.
Does CBD Make You Sleepy?
Many CBD users will be quick to tell you that CBD makes you sleepy and helps you enjoy a deep and refreshing sleep. While it’s true that CBD is an excellent sleep aid, this powerful hemp-derived cannabinoid doesn’t instantly make you sleepy, at least not in the same way as sleeping medication. Part of this misconception stems from CBD being derived from hemp, a form of cannabis that contains 0.3% THC or less. One of the main side effects of THC is that it can cause you to feel drowsy; yet since hemp contains such low amounts of THC, you’d have to consume an enormous amount of CBD to feel anything closely similar to how full-THC products (namely weed) would make you feel. We’ve mentioned in earlier articles that CBD has many uses, one of which can help give you energy. So how is it that the same cannabinoid that gives you energy can also help you fall asleep? The answer lies within…literally!
Our body’s natural endocannabinoid system can get knocked out of balance from a variety of factors. Daily stress, lack of exercise, not getting enough sleep, overactive minds, poor eating habits, and many other factors all play a part in how your ECS (endocannabinoid system) functions normally. When you start taking CBD regularly, the compound binds with the body’s EC1 and EC2 receptors, helping to restore balance to your system. One of the things CBD can do is to help put your mind at ease to the point where you feel comfortable enough to finally relax. As you relax, your racing mind can slow down to the point where sleep comes easily. The mental peace that comes with a calm mind can result in restful and refreshing sleep.
Should I Use CBD As A Sleep Aid?
With all of the stress of adulthood, it can be tough to find enough time to catch up on your beauty rest. Working a standard 8-hour shift, whether it be early morning, mid-afternoon, or overnight, can really take a toll on your body’s ability to fall asleep naturally. What’s worse is the quality of sleep that you get. If you’re sleeping for a few hours at a time but constantly tossing and turning or waking up at random intervals in the night, chances are the sleep you’re getting isn’t enough to leave you feeling refreshed and alert. That’s where CBD can help as a sleep aid. CBD has been promoted as a way to help battle insomnia, bolster the quality of the sleep you get, and help you feel refreshed and alert upon waking.
As you begin your CBD journey, you should try to keep track of how you feel and what you notice. If you don’t feel any noticeable improvements in the first few days, you may want to increase your dosage. If you find that CBD works well in the morning but not so much at night, you may want to consider changing when you consume CBD and how much you consume at that time. Many users praise the half-and-half method, which is taking half of your preferred dosage when you wake up and the other half when you’re ready to fall asleep. Consider trying a variety of products to see if your body reacts more effectively to any of them. Most importantly, stick to a scheduled time to consume CBD. Once your body burns off the cannabinoid, you’ll need to replenish your supply to ensure it keeps working effectively.
Does CBD Really Work?
We’ve spoken highly of CBD in regards to how it can help restore balance in your overall health and wellness. However, CBD doesn’t work the same for each individual. You will need to experiment a bit with the dosages, time of day you consume it, and type of product consumed. Most importantly, you’ll need to be patient. It’s unfortunate that we live in a world where everything is fast-paced. Instant this, rapid that, fast-acting, minimal wait time, the list goes on. CBD isn’t a magic fix-all that works in seconds to correct what’s taken years to incorrectly create.
Much of the success of CBD depends on the individual. For example, if you’re looking to become a bodybuilder, is a day or two in the gym going to give you the results you desire? Absolutely not. You’ll have to restructure your daily habits to meet your goals, which may require eliminating certain things (i.e., watching TV or eating fast food) and incorporating others (i.e., finding the time to go to the gym and following a workout regiment each day). The same goes for CBD; you’ll have to take a closer look at your life to see what can be modified to ensure your body gets the most out of the cannabinoid.
If you’re using CBD as a sleep aid, try setting some time aside before you go to sleep and make that your “CBD time.” Once you’ve consumed your preferred product type, make a noticeable effort to eliminate anything that will keep you awake. Use this time to remind yourself why you’re taking CBD in the first place, whether it be five minutes or half an hour. Play some soft music to help set the mood or turn off all your electronic devices to avoid distractions. Grab that book you’ve been meaning to read or practice meditation/yoga to help free your mind of the racing thoughts. Drink some water to keep hydrated and make sure that your bed is ready for you. Make a list of things you need to do in the morning rather than trying to finish everything before going to sleep. This can help your mind gently unwind to the point where you’re ready to fall asleep.
Conclusion
CBD is a powerful tool when it comes to helping the user fall asleep, but that doesn’t mean that CBD in and of itself makes you sleepy. CBD can help you calm down and relax, effectively slowing your racing mind down to the point where you can finally fall asleep. CBD works naturally with your body’s endocannabinoid system to give energy when needed as well as relax you when you’re ready to go to bed. CBD is not a magic wand that you can wave to instantly fix everything that’s wrong with your sleep and wake cycles, but can help restore balance to your body over time with consistent use. You’ll need to be patient with your consumption amount, type of product consumed, and when it is consumed.
If you’re ready to take control of your sleep cycle and experience the healing properties of CBD, check out the vast selection of CBD products available from Erth Wellness. We offer premium CBD vape juice and pre-rolls, water-soluble tinctures, easy-to-swallow softgels, topicals, and more. Our products are crafted with premium ingredients and have been thoroughly tested by independent third-party labs to ensure purity and potency. We even offer sample sizes for the skeptical and frugal users. No matter how you choose to use CBD, we’re confident our products can help. If you do end up selecting a product from our shelves, be sure to share your experiences with the rest of us in the comments below. We look forward to hearing how CBD has helped make an improvement in your overall health and wellness!
