Cannabidiol, popularly abbreviated as CBD, is one of the two most prevalent active ingredients in cannabis extracts, the other one being tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
CBD has been widely studied for its medicinal potential. Various studies indicate that the chemical may help to treat a host of ailments, ranging from pain and anxiety to inflammation, seizures, nausea, and insomnia.
Now, if you’ve been battling insomnia for some time now despite using conventional sleep medications, perhaps it’s about time you tried cannabidiol. Read on for a comprehensive guide into the role of CBD in fighting insomnia.
What Is Insomnia and How Common Is the Condition?
There’s no doubt that cannabidiol may help to combat insomnia. That’s especially if you invest in high-quality CBD products by reputable marijuana sellers like Zamnesia. You might want to check out delta 10 flower if you’re looking for CBD products formulated with significant THC levels.
But before we delve deeper into the role of cannabidiol in fighting insomnia, perhaps we should start by understanding exactly what this condition is.
Insomnia, commonly known as sleeplessness, is a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling or staying asleep. People with insomnia (known as insomniacs) may have their sleep frequently interrupted, making it difficult for them to enjoy the recommended daily sleep duration of 7 – 9 hours.
According to statistics, around 25% of Americans experience insomnia every year.
What Causes Insomnia?
Insomnia results from various physical, environmental, and psychological factors.
Examples include;
- Stress and anxiety disorders, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Pain (from a physical injury or chronic disease)
- Disruptions in your circadian rhythms, such as changes in sleeping time, switching work shifts, and jet lag
- Unconducive sleeping environment, such as sleeping in a hot, cold, or noisy room, or sleeping in an uncomfortable bed
- Inadequate physical exercise
- Poor sleep habits, including watching a movie late into the night or taking several afternoon naps
- Foods that stimulate the mind, such as coffee
- The use of certain medications, particularly recreational drugs like ecstasy and cocaine
- Certain medical conditions, especially psychiatric diseases like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, gastrointestinal complications causing vomiting and diarrhea, and diseases that manifest in pain, like arthritis and multiple sclerosis
- Other sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea and REM sleep behavior disorder
Symptoms of Insomnia
Insomnia mainly presents as daytime sleepiness and fatigue. You may also experience anxiety and irritability.
Other common symptoms include;
- Low motivation
- Tension headaches
- Poor focus and concentration
- Incoordination and reduced response time
- Difficulty socializing
- Gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea and vomiting
Treating Insomnia and the Role of CBD
Most instances of insomnia are short-lived. Such can easily be treated by making certain lifestyle adjustments.
However, chronic insomnia is mainly treated using sleep pills. Unfortunately, most sleep medications are known to induce adverse effects. Some of these pills may even trigger side effects known to aggravate insomnia, such as anxiety. That explains why experts now recommend alternative remedies for sleeplessness, such as cannabidiol.
Here’s how cannabidiol may treat insomnia;
CBD May Boost Your Circadian Rhythm
Circadian rhythm refers to the physical and mental changes that occur in the body in response to changes in light and darkness. These changes affect our sleep-wake cycles.
A disruption in your circadian rhythm can trigger a host of issues, including irritability, weight gain, and insomnia. Fortunately, cannabidiol may boost your circadian rhythm, thereby helping to maintain a regular sleep-wake cycle.
CBD may impact the circadian rhythm by affecting the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system refers to a complex cell-regulatory system that performs numerous physiological functions, including maintaining the endocrine balance and regulating our sleep-wake cycles.
CBD May Reduce Sleep Latency
Sleep latency is a term for the average time taken to drift from wakefulness to deep sleep. It’s measured from the actual time that you go to bed.
Cannabidiol is a powerful sedative. When consumed at bedtime, CBD may shorten your sleep onset time, allowing you to achieve your recommended daily sleep duration.
CBD May Prolong Your Sleep Duration
It’s one thing to fall asleep sooner, but a completely different thing to stay asleep longer. However, cannabidiol doesn’t just reduce your sleep onset time. The compound may also make you sleep much longer.
Studies have shown that cannabidiol may shorten the time taken at Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. REM sleep is a sleep phase characterized by heightened brain activity and rapid, involuntary eye movements within the sockets.
Much of the dreaming takes place during REM sleep. However, most insomniacs also often get their sleep interrupted during REM sleep. That’s especially true for people who experience nightmares.
CBD May Treat Various Insomnia Causes and Side Effects
There’s a long list of insomnia causes and side effects that cannabidiol may also help to manage.
Examples include pain, grogginess, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD).
PTSD is a severe anxiety disorder characterized by the constant replaying of negative memories from the past. It’s a leading cause of nightmares. RBD is a sleep disorder where victims unconsciously dramatize their dreams.
Wrap Up
Cannabidiol is not a magic pill for sleeplessness. However, the compound may combat insomnia by addressing some of the condition’s core triggers and side effects.
One way to make the most of CBD’s benefits for sleep is by consuming the compound in the evening, about one hour before bedtime. Also, be sure to keep your doses low to avoid experiencing any adverse effects.
