CBD Oil For Sleep - Does It Help?

A great night’s sleep is incredibly important for your mental and physical health. In fact, many studies suggest that sleeping well is even more important than eating healthy and exercising.

During sleep is when your body performs a lot of its most important functions, such as releasing hormones which help boost muscle mass, help us grow and develop, and repair cells and any tissue damage. Our immune system also needs sleep to stay strong and work efficiently, and brain health is linked to sleep levels too.

So, with sleep being so important, it’s incredibly concerning that up to 16 million people in the UK say that they struggle to get to sleep on a regular basis. 

The truth is, unfortunately, there’s a lot about the modern world which can interfere with getting a great night's sleep. Some of the most common factors which can negatively affect sleep patterns include:

• Overconsumption of caffeine (past 2 pm)
• Excessive alcohol intake
• Excessive sugar consumption
• Travel - especially across time zones
• Shift work
• Chronic pain, anxiety or depression
• Extreme temperatures
• Technology: TVs, phones, computers, etc. 
• Stress
• Certain medications
• Hormone imbalances
• Magnesium deficiency 

So how DO we get a great night's sleep?

For most adults, the recommended daily sleep time is 7 to 9 hours - so how can we achieve that?

The most important thing that you can do to get the best sleep possible is to allow yourself adequate total sleep time. 

There are also some tips to follow to give yourself the best chance to sleep well -

• Keep a consistent bedtime and wake-up time
• Avoid caffeine after 2 pm
• Give yourself “down time” before bed, eliminating technology or any stressful/stimulating activities.
• Exercising (ideally a few hours before sleep) to tire your body and mind out.
• Reducing or eliminating naps during the day.

These are the basics for good “sleep hygiene” - but is there anything else you can do?

Some research and studies suggest that CBD Oil can also help you get a good night’s sleep. 

Here’s what you need to know about using CBD oil for sleep.

One investigation found that, compared with a placebo, a CBD dosage of 160 milligrams increased sleep duration. 

There are several reasons why CBD might help to increase your sleep quality, one of which is the control of stress. Levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, typically peak in the morning, but people with insomnia may have high cortisol levels at night. The relaxing effects that some people experience from taking CBD oil could help to lower these cortisol and stress levels, resulting in better sleep patterns. This was backed up by another study on the effects of CBD, where researchers found that cortisol levels decreased more significantly when participants took 300 or 600 mg. These results suggest that CBD affects the release of cortisol, possibly acting as a sedative.

Research carried out in 2019 showed that 66% of people (out of 72 tested) reported better sleep levels after being given CBD every day.

Another study in 2014 has shown that people who suffer from REM sleep behaviour disorder had improved sleep and fewer symptoms.

Grogginess, another symptom of poor sleep, might also be affected by CBD oil, as many people report CBD oil giving them higher energy levels and leaving them feeling more refreshed. A similar study on wakefulness also provided similar results.

Conclusion

Anyone taking prescribed medication for any sleep-related issues should continue to take it and listen to their doctor's advice at all times. However, as an additional method to fight insomnia and improve your sleep pattern, it very much appears that CBD oil can be a great addition to your sleep hygiene routine, and help you to improve your overall health.

For more information regarding CBD oil and how it can help you please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us either drop us a question using our contact form or click the button in the bottom right to start a chat with our team.

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