Can CBD Help with My Insomnia?
Spending hours at bedtime counting sheep to try to fall asleep? Unable to stay asleep? Do you wake up feeling irritable and not well-rested? It sounds like you may be suffering from insomnia, a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling and staying asleep. CBD is used by individuals for a long list of reasons, and one of those is insomnia.
Underlying Causes
In order to best understand how you can treat your insomnia, it’s important to first get to the underlying cause of your insomnia. Causes include:
Stress: If you’re concerned about work, school, and your personal life, you may struggle to shut your brain off at night and get a good night’s rest. Similarly, mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression, can lead to comparable sleep effects.
Eating patterns: If you are consuming caffeine late in the day or you eat too much too close to bedtime, your sleep may suffer. Feeling discomfort from eating too much can keep you awake, as can heartburn. Caffeine is a stimulant and if you drink it too close to bedtime, you may notice it playing a role in how well you sleep.
Medication: Some medications may impact the sleep-wake cycle, such as anti-depressants.
Environment: If you are trying to sleep in an uncomfortable bed or you live in a loud neighborhood, your sleep may suffer.
Other potential causes include poor sleep habits, a travel/work schedule that influences your circadian rhythms, medical conditions, and poor sleep habits. Once you understand what is contributing to your insomnia, you may be able to improve some of the symptoms with small adjustments, such as purchasing a new mattress.
CBD and Insomnia
Research shows that CBD can help with sleeplessness. One study conducted in 2019 revealed improved sleep scores and decreased anxiety after regular CBD use. The efficacy of regular CBD use on your sleep cycle may also depend on the cause of your insomnia. For instance, if it is caused by a noisy neighborhood, you may find your sleep improves after investing in earplugs. However, if you are struggling to manage stress, anxiety, and pain, CBD can help by quelling those factors.
CBD Usage
Most individuals looking for insomnia relief from CBD take it within one hour of going to bed. Typically, vape concentrates work into your system faster, but you may try CBD oils like a water soluble, tinctures, or even edibles. It may take some time to find the dosage that provides you with optimal results, so some trial and error may need to be involved.
Remember to speak with your doctor before trying CBD products. There may be an underlying issue causing your insomnia that they can address.