Restful ZZZs
OK, raise your hand if you’ve ever had trouble getting to sleep. Any trouble staying asleep? Can you remember the last time you had a good night’s sleep and actually woke up feeling refreshed? So many of us feel trapped in a cycle of late, restless sleep. Millions of Americans run a chronic sleep deficit, and that’s bad for your health. The Centers for Disease Control says the magic number is 7: anything less than 7 hours a night puts you at risk of a whole host of health problems: obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and more.
You could lose a lot of sleep just worrying about these risks. Some of us turn to chemical aids to help us power down and get the sleep we need. But some prescription drugs could turn out to be nightmares, with disturbing side effects. What we really want—what we need—is quality sleep.
Studies have shown that when our endocannabinoid system is balanced, our sleep cycles are likely to be more balanced as well. And when our endocannabinoid system needs a little help, a new prescription or even the latest OTC treatment may help—for a while. We know that CBD molecules work with our body’s endocannabinoid system, helping to restore balance. That’s all your ECS wants—a little balance. And a little more sleep.
Understand the risk of Prescription Pills
Grim statistics: 10,000 deaths per year are directly caused by and attributed to hypnotic drugs, based on medical examiner data. However, large epidemiological studies suggest the number of fatalities may actually be closer to 300,000-500,000 per year. The difference can be attributed to under reported use of hypnotics at the time of death and the fact that prescription hypnotics are rarely listed as the cause of death.
Dr. Kripke reviewed 40 studies conducted on prescription sleeping pills, which include hypnotic drugs such as zolpidem (Ambien, Edlmar, Intermezzo and Zolpimist), temazepam (Restoril), eszopiclone (Lunesta), zaleplon (Sonata), triazolam (Halcion), flurazepam (Dalmane and Dalmadorm), quazepam, and other barbiturates used for sleep. Of these 40 studies, thirty-nine found that consumption of hypnotics is “associated with excess mortality” to the tune of a 4.6 times greater risk of death for hypnotic users.
How Can CBD Impact Sleep?
The effects of Cannabidiol (CBD) in relation to sleep are somewhat paradoxical, as CBD can help people fall asleep as well as stay awake. In short, CBD can be mildly stimulating and trigger alertness in low to moderate doses, while higher dosage can trigger sleepiness and promote sound restful sleep.
The association between low-dose cannabidiol and increased wakefulness underscores CBD’s potential as a treatment for narcolepsy and other variants of excessive daytime sleepiness. Conversely, insomnia studies show that the administration of 160 mgs of CBD improved the quality and duration of sleep, decreasing nighttime sleep interruptions and increasing total sleep time.
In addition to showing promise as a safe and effective alternative to conventional treatments for insomnia, cannabidiol can reduce symptoms of REM behavior disorder (RBD), which is characterized by the acting out of vivid, intense, and sometimes violent dreams. A preliminary study examined the efficacy of CBD in patients with both Parkinson’s disease and RBD and the results were encouraging.
Recommended CBD products to help with Sleep:
1. Plus CBD Oil Drops
CBD taken as Oil Drops has the benefit of sublingual absorption, which means you’re going to feel it faster than a pill, maybe in 15 or 30 minutes after dropped under tongue. We recommend Plus CBD Oil Drops, which we’ve found quite effective and with test according to product labeling. One serving—about half a dropper—contains 5mg. It’s recommended that users gradually increase dosage until reaching the desired effect.
2. Alchemist Kitchen Plant Alchemy Gel Caps
Many users are most comfortable with taking CBD in Pill form. Effects from swallowing pills start to be felt in 45 to 60 minutes. We recommend Plant Alchemy Gel Caps, which contains 25mg per gel cap, and is also offered in a version which includes 1mg of Melatonin. When taken, after ~45 minutes, the whole body downshifts into a lower stress gear.
3. CBD Sleep Syrup
Similar to Oils, a syrup is also absorbed sublingually, and should be administered under tongue, and swished around the mouth for a minute before swallowing to promote absorption. For syrups, we recommend CBD Living’s Sleep Aid. One tablespoon contains 15mg of CBD plus 2mg of melatonin, and the cherry flavor tasted like Nyquil. One could feel the effects of the CBD working through their system after about 40 minutes.
4. CBD Sleepy Z’s Edibles
Edible products behave similarly to pills or gel caps in timing 45-60 minute duration to kick in, and who doesn’t love eating a “gummy bear” before bed. We recommend CBD Sleepy Z’s from Greenish Route, which is a bit stronger containing 30mg CBD, plus 2mg of melatonin.
1. Plus CBD Oil Drops
CBD taken as Oil Drops has the benefit of sublingual absorption, which means you’re going to feel it faster than a pill, maybe in 15 or 30 minutes after dropped under tongue. We recommend Plus CBD Oil Drops, which we’ve found quite effective and with test according to product labeling. One serving—about half a dropper—contains 5mg. It’s recommended that users gradually increase dosage until reaching the desired effect.
2. Alchemist Kitchen Plant Alchemy Gel Caps
Many users are most comfortable with taking CBD in Pill form. Effects from swallowing pills start to be felt in 45 to 60 minutes. We recommend Plant Alchemy Gel Caps, which contains 25mg per gel cap, and is also offered in a version which includes 1mg of Melatonin. When taken, after ~45 minutes, the whole body downshifts into a lower stress gear.
3. CBD Sleep Syrup
Similar to Oils, a syrup is also absorbed sublingually, and should be administered under tongue, and swished around the mouth for a minute before swallowing to promote absorption. For syrups, we recommend CBD Living’s Sleep Aid. One tablespoon contains 15mg of CBD plus 2mg of melatonin, and the cherry flavor tasted like Nyquil. One could feel the effects of the CBD working through their system after about 40 minutes.
4. CBD Sleepy Z’s Edibles
Edible products behave similarly to pills or gel caps in timing 45-60 minute duration to kick in, and who doesn’t love eating a “gummy bear” before bed. We recommend CBD Sleepy Z’s from Greenish Route, which is a bit stronger containing 30mg CBD, plus 2mg of melatonin.