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How CBD May Help You Sleep Better

By Danyal Swan October 2, 2022

A good night’s sleep is one aspect of your health that should not be neglected. Millions of people across the country struggle to get the rest they need, making them feel sluggish and ultimately, worse off overall. Whether you struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep, there are a multitude of benefits that cannabidiol, or CBD, may provide in order to help you get the 7-9 hours of rest recommended by the National Sleep Foundation.

What Is CBD?

Cannabidiol, better known as CBD, is one of the primary active ingredients from the marijuana plant. CBD, unlike THC, does not cause a psychoactive or cerebral “high” effect. Instead, CBD produces a calming, soothing feeling that has shown to help relax muscles, too.

How Does CBD Work?

CBD works by interacting with receptors in our brain known as CB1 and CB2. Your body has a system referred to as the endocannabinoid system that naturally produces cannabinoids. The CBD itself causes endocannabinoids that are already naturally inside our systems to bind to our CB1 and CB2 receptors. The endocannabinoids interact with the receptors in our brain that send information between the different working systems inside of us. Endocannabinoids are known to affect sleep, mood, and even appetite.

CBD supports the endocannabinoid system and its functions, and helps it work more efficiently. One study has shown the endocannabinoid known as anandamide, known commonly as the bliss molecule, is seen to have effects that last longer when CBD is introduced and helps them bind to receptors. These different aspects help CBD to indirectly calm and soothe.

How Does CBD Make You Feel?

CBD has shown a host of potential benefits, making it ideal for daytime or nighttime application.

While the effects CBD produces are mostly the same throughout its users, every person may react slightly differently to the use of it. CBD is a non-psychoactive ingredient of marijuana, meaning it will not make you “high” if taken. Overall, CBD produces very mild effects, and most people that have used the cannabis-derived compound report similar sensations.

Here are some of the most commonly reported benefits of CBD:

1. Relaxation

Many studies have shown that one of the most common benefits of CBD is its ability to help the user relax. CBD helps many who struggle with racing thoughts, chronic pain, and trouble sleeping. CBD has also been seen to be incredibly helpful for those who deal with anxiety, depression, and stress, as it calms both body and mind.

2. Pain Relief

Pain relief is another common benefit of CBD. The compound has shown to help those who suffer from chronic pain, easing pain and tension throughout the body. CBD is an effective anti-inflammatory - often an underlying cause of pain. People that deal with arthritis, multiple sclerosis, spine problems or injuries, and other kinds of chronic pain are starting to turn towards CBD for help.

3. Anxiety Relief

Because CBD is able to promote relaxation throughout the body, it has been seen in studies to have beneficial effects on those who deal with anxiety, and even severe cases of PTSD, with nightmares are a common symptom. CBD may help to reduce physical side effects of anxiety and stress, as well as helping to reduce racing thoughts.

4. Sleep

Yet another reason many turn to CBD is for its reported sleep benefits. While the research to confirm these claims is lacking, there are studies that show the compound may ease anxiety and stress and chronic pain, with patients reporting secondary benefits of improved sleep.

Here’s a breakdown of current research and findings:

  • review of research available on the delivery of cannabinoids, including CBD, for chronic pain had a secondary positive outcome - improved sleep.
  • 72 adults with anxiety or poor sleep were administered 25mg of CBD via capsule, with several receiving 50mg, 75mg and one receiving 175mg. The case series found that anxiety was improved in 79% of participants; sleep in 67% of participants. The second month, anxiety was improved in 78% and sleep in 56%. While sleep relief was not as consistent as anxiety, these check-ins occurred monthly - more thorough observation is needed.
  • In a case study, four Parkinsons’ patients who reported multiple REM sleep behavior disorder (or, RBD, characterized by nightmares or active behavior such as yelling/kicking/hitting) occurrences a week were given CBD over a six week period. Three of four reported no RBD instances over the six week period, the fourth reported only one instance per week.

While there is a significant amount of published research on CBD, particularly in comparison to its psychoactive counterpart THC, it has focused on its effectiveness at quelling seizures. As with cannabis in general, more controlled clinical research is needed to further investigate and confirm the therapeutic benefits of CBD, but what is available is incredibly promising.

Should I Take CBD To Help Me Sleep?

A multitude of studies have concluded that CBD helps even some of the worst sleepers get a good night of rest. It holds great potential for anyone who struggles to relax before bedtime, to fall asleep, or for those who are restless sleepers and find themselves waking up often. CBD itself has not shown sedating properties in all persons, but its soothing effects may help with many common sleep issues. Many people have sleep-related anxiety and are unaware of it, whether it be in forms of constant thoughts, avoidance of thoughts or even the avoidance of sleep in general.  CBD may help with varying forms of sleep issues and is a great, natural therapeutic.

What Forms Of CBD Are There?

MÜV has developed a variety of high CBD cannabis options for Florida's patients.

CBD can come in a variety of forms, from tinctures to creams and gels - and formulations. 1:1 THC/CBD is a common ratio of cannabinoids; the consumption of both compounds produces what's known as the entourage effect, which hypothesizes that when the cannabinoids are consumed together, they work more efficiently. The form of CBD and dose is largely dependent on your personal experience and what symptoms you are trying to ease - particularly when it comes to the duration of effects. Here are some of the most common forms of CBD and 1:1 products, their features and duration of effects:

1. Oils And Tinctures

CBD tinctures and CBD oils are common oral consumption methods. Oils and tinctures are best for those who don’t want a pill or the sugar and calories from an edible, and usually have a soft taste of cannabis with added natural flavors to help mask its taste. And, in the case of encapsulated cannabis tinctures, doses can be dissolved in beverages. Both allow for rather precise dosing, with oils typically boasting a higher concentration of CBD, particularly in the case of high-CBD RSO (more on the potent extract here).

Typical Onset Time: 30-60 minutes
Typical Onset Time (Encapsulated): 10-15 minutes
Duration of Effects: ~4-8 hours

2. Pills And Capsules

Pills and capsules are a preferred method for many as they lend no tell-tale cannabis scent or flavor, and are a familiar delivery format. Dosing is precise and controlled as it comes prepackaged. One of the only downsides is that pills and capsules have been shown to take longer to provide effects than other forms such as oils and tinctures. MÜV, however, has solved this issue with EnCaps™ Cannabis Capsules. The pills are both fast-acting and long-lasting, as our patented encapsulation technology makes cannabinoids water-soluble and therefore more bioavailable once reaching the stomach.

Typical Onset Time: 15-30 minutes
Duration of Effects: ~4-6 hours

3. CBD Edibles

Another oral CBD option is edibles. These edibles can come in a multitude of flavors and dosages, leaving it up to the user to decide what they want. Currently, this edible version is one of the most popular ways to use CBD. Edibles come in array of forms, including soft chews and lozenges.

Typical Onset Time: 30-60 minutes
Duration of Effects: ~4-8 hours

4. Creams And Gels

One form of CBD has become popular is CBD topicals, in the form of gels and creams. This form of CBD holds soothing potential for those who struggle with muscle, joint, and body pain, and particularly inflammation. Traditional topicals address localized pain relief and often contain some THC as well. Encaps technology also allows for a THC/CBD transdermal CBD gel, which provides systemic effects by penetrating the bloodstream.

Typical Onset Time: 5-10 minutes
Duration of Effects: ~2-4 hours

5. Patches

CBD patches are a newer product on the market, developed to potentially help individuals with pain and sleep issues. The MÜV 72 Hour CBD Transdermal Patches distributes CBD in a controlled 72 hour release at 0.24 mg per hour, and can be removed and reapplied when needed. This is a great option for someone looking to avoid inhaling CBD, but in need of systemic (full body) effects.

Typical Onset Time: 10-15 minutes
Duration of Effects: ~72 hours

6. Flower

Some dispensaries offer high CBD flower, which will usually contain little to no THC. Many CBD users have found that a ratio of 1:1 with THC and CBD helps to enhance side effects from their CBD and help them feel relaxed for longer. One of the downsides with this is that it is inhaled, which may not be the best for those with existing lung problems or damage.

Typical Onset Time: 3-5 minutes
Duration of Effects: ~2-4 hours

7. Vapes

Many people inhale CBD via a type of electronic vape device for immediate effects. This form of CBD is quite popular, but the health effects of vaping are still controversial as there aren’t many long-term studies of the side effects.

Typical Onset Time: 3-5 minutes
Duration of Effects: ~2-4 hours

8. Inhalers

Another somewhat modern product on the market, cannabis inhalers are used just like a traditional inhaler. This type of fast, controlled delivery of CBD and THC offers patients an alternative to some of the harsher dosing methods, like smoking or dabbing.

       Typical Onset Time: 3-5 minutes
Duration of Effects: ~2-4 hours

Is CBD Right For Me?

Ultimately, only you and your physician decide if using CBD is best for you. CBD is a safe, legal, natural option to aid with a variety of issues. There are a multitude of benefits that can come with using CBD from anxiety relief to longer, deeper sleep. If you struggle with any of the issues listed above such as anxiety, stress, depression, chronic pain, etc., then you might be a great candidate to try CBD for some relief. Be sure to discuss with your physician the addition of this compound to your medical routine.

Hemp Or Cannabis-Derived CBD?

Hemp-derived CBD is any and everywhere - grocery stores, gas stations and even Amazon. An important distinction should be made between hemp-derived and cannabis-derived CBD: testing.

As it stands now, hemp plants are tested solely for the content of THC - not for harmful compounds. And, there are no rules or regulations in place to test final products, like CBD gummies, tinctures or topicals. In fact, a survey by the FDA of hemp-derived CBD products available found that many did not contain the CBD doses claimed, made unproven medical claims, and some even contained more than the 0.3% THC allotted by the Farm Bill of 2018. You can find a list of official letters sent by the FDA (and the companies they sent them to) regarding these issues here.

CBD extracted from the cannabis plant, on the other hand, undergoes rigorous testing standards, per Florida state law. All Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MMTCs) are required to submit extracts for third-party testing to confirm potency and for residual solvents or additives - with some dispensaries, like MÜV, conducting in-house testing along the plant’s life cycle as well.

In sum, when sourcing CBD, ensure you do so from a company that provides its testing Certificate of Analysis when requested, especially if purchasing outside of a Florida marijuana dispensary.

Finding The Best CBD Product

A good night’s sleep is essential to your overall health. Do you struggle to get the rest you need?

Whether you’re looking for CBD edibles or oils and tinctures, MÜV has high-quality, thoroughly tested CBD that may help with your sleep needs. Have more questions? Your MedTender or Patient Care Team Representative is more than happy to discuss where CBD may fit in your medical routine, in the form that suits you best.

Content Manager for MÜV Florida and Contributor for Zen Leaf Dispensaries. A cannabis connoisseur with a passion for explaining the miraculous possibility of the plant, Swan began her journey with cannabis as a recreational user and quickly realized its positive impact on her depression and severe anxiety. She joined the cannabis industry as Receptionist and MedTender and witnessed first-hand the immense potential of the plant for a wide variety of ailments, deepening her passion for alternative medicine. Swan is dedicated to self-education on the plant and sharing its potential with all. She holds a Journalism degree from the University of Iowa.

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