What's The Deal With CBD? Can It Help Sleep?

CBD is one of many chemical compounds found in marijuana, though should not be confused with THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the main psychoactive compound in marijuana, which makes users feel high.

Because CBD is free from mind-altering side affects, it’s become a popular supplement for those looking for natural pain relief without detriment to mental focus and clarity.

Pain relief

The endocannabinoid system helps to regulate sleep, pain, appetite and immune system response in the human body. CBD has been shown to impact certain neurotransmitters within the endocannibinoid system, helping reduce both inflammation and pain.

As well as taking CBD orally through drops underneath the tongue or diluted into a cup of coffee, CBD can also be digested through foods like chocolate and coconut oil. You can also find soothing rubs and balms that can be used externally too.

Anxiety & depression

In today’s fast paced world, many are looking for ways to deal with anxiety in a natural way. The holistic approach is now being treated with much less scepticism, which has also meant natural remedies like CBD are being explored.

In one study, CBD has been used to safely treat insomnia and anxiety in individuals with post traumatic stress disorder. Meanwhile, it has also shown anti-depressant effects in many animal studies. However, this is new ground and as time progresses, the results from further human studies will be revealed.

CBD as a sleeping aid?

The impact of anxiety on sleep patterns and general wellbeing can be significant. A restless mind cycling through outstanding tasks, upcoming speaking engagements or future sales performances can certainly get the better of you once in a while. It’s for this reason that many are turning to CBD oil, which can help you achieve focus and a more calm and rested state.

In both the UK and US, cold brew coffee brands have taken to incorporating CBD. Regular drinkers say the combo delivers ‘caffeine alertness, but without the jitters,’ and has been touted to help with concentration and productivity.

Where next

With CBD derived drugs proven to help with childhood epileptic seizures, sometimes stopping them entirely, more studies are being done into the human benefits of CBD. While we wait for trials to get more accurate data, you can access a wide range of CBD oils and food products to see if you get better sleep or reduced anxiety for yourself.

Photo by Kym MacKinnon on Unsplash