CBD is a plant-based cannabinoid growing in popularity for a wide range of wellness benefits, and yes – many consumers are using CBD for sleep and anxiety. Hemp-infused oil may help you get a good night's rest without narcotics or other prescription medications.
The Basics of CBD
CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is one of more than 500 compounds found in the hemp plant. After the harvest, processors extract the plant chemicals using a safe and effective CO2 method. Next, they infuse it into a carrier oil, such as MCT (medium-chain triglycerides), olive, hemp seed or grapeseed. CBD is fat soluble. The oil is necessary for absorption.
As mentioned, CBD is a cannabinoid, which is short for phytocannabinoid – a plant-based chemical. All mammals produce endogenous cannabinoids or endocannabinoids. Both external and internal cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system, or ECS, which is a complex cell-signaling system found in the body of all mammals. The ECS helps maintain homeostasis or balance throughout all systems. Available studies show the system interacts with many processes including:
- Mood
- Sleep
- Inflammation
- Other immune system responses
- Stress
- Bone growth
When something is off-balance, an endocannabinoid sends a message to the appropriate cannabinoid receptor, which is found throughout the body, to notify the ECS to act. After it sends the message, an enzyme breaks it down. CBD and the other cannabinoids can activate the cannabinoid receptors in the same manner that endocannabinoids work.
How Does CBD Help Sleep & Anxiety?
Experts are still trying to understand exactly how CBD for sleep works – but they are aware of the potential that CBD can improve sleep quality and reduce anxiety. Some believe CBD doesn't directly help you sleep. Instead, CBD removes the barriers to natural sleep. For example, research suggests CBD reduces stress and anxious feelings. When you're not worrying and your brain slows down, you can fall asleep faster and sleep longer.
The American Sleep Association references a study in the Permanente Journal involving 72 adults experiencing anxiety and trouble sleeping. It found that 79 percent of participants who took a 25 mg capsule of CBD at night reported a decrease in anxiety and 66 percent described improvements in sleep quality.
The plant-based compound is also commonly used to relieve sore muscles following intense workouts. Besides muscle discomfort, studies show CBD reduces inflammation. Diminishing soreness and swelling can improve sleep quality.
The benefits of CBD for anxiety also improve your well-being. Overwhelming anxious feelings, sadness, worrying and a reduction in quality sleep are detrimental to anyone's health. Even if you're getting regular exercise, eating nutritious meals and limiting alcoholic beverages, heightened levels of stress can wipe out all those gains. By reducing stress and anxiety, CBD may help reduce people's vulnerability to illness.
Feeling anxious isn't uncommon. Nearly 20 percent of adults in the U.S.2 experience it in any given year. During the pandemic, that number is skyrocketing. There are several types of anxiety, with the most common related to social situations, performance and new experiences.
Although experts don't understand exactly how CBD interacts with the ECS to reduce stress responses and calm anxious feelings, consumers are using it anyway. A 2019 Gallup poll3 revealed 14 percent of Americans were using CBD for anxiety, a number that's most likely considerably higher now. When explaining how CBD and anxiety work, Jen Palmer, ND, stated to Readers Digest:4
"A research study was published that showed that taking CBD prior to public speaking helped support a sense of calm for the speakers and supported both normal heart rate and blood pressure during the activity. ... Full-spectrum hemp extract can support our efforts to remain calm."
Clinical Recommendations
There are several ways to take CBD, such as sublingual oils that absorb through the membranes under the tongue into the bloodstream for fast results; to hemp oil-infused candies, and even muscle and skin creams. This wide availability of products to choose from can make it challenging to find the right CBD dose.
In addition to the many different methods, there isn't a specific serving of CBD for anxiety. The plant-based products don't come with a one-size-fits-all dosing chart. Everyone's body is different, and the various reasons people take CBD can alter the serving size that works for you.
Recommend that patients with CBD tinctures carefully take 1 ml of oil every 20 to 30 minutes until feeling better. They should not take too much oil, or they may experience side effects,5 including moodiness, nausea and drowsiness. The most common reactions to higher doses are fatigue and upset stomach.
Whether it's a CBD-infused gummy or a serving or two of CBD-infused honey in your tea, once it kicks in, it will last about four to six hours.
The benefits of CBD for anxiety and sleep are clear – research supports customers' reports. Hemp extracts reduce the uncomfortable, anxious feelings that often lead to panic, limit joy and social interactions, and severely reduce sleep. Improve quality of life and mental and physical well-being with CBD.
Author's Note: If you have any questions about this article or CBD, please go to www.n8-cbd.com or email me at
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References
- CBD: For Sleep and Insomnia. American Sleep Association (ASA).
- Any Anxiety Disorder - Definitions. National Institute of Mental Health.
- Brenan M. "14% of Americans Say They Use CBD Products." Gallup, Aug.. 7, 2019.
- "The Science Behind How Hemp-Derived CBD Helps With Everyday Anxiety." Published in Reader's Digest; produced by Trusted Studios for Charlotte's Web.
- Grinspoon P. "Cannabidiol (CBD) - What We Know and What We Don't." Harvard Health Blog, Aug. 24, 2018.
Dr. Lee Wood graduated from Los Angeles College of Chiropractic in 1978 and practiced in the Los Angeles-metro area for two years. In 1980, Dr. Wood opened La Costa Chiropractic in Carlsbad, Calif. He owned, operated and directed this high-volume, extremely profitable multiple-doctor clinic for 26 years. Presently a veteran consultant and international speaker – and previously employed by The Masters Circle and Ultimate Practice Systems – Dr. Wood is now the CEO and founder of One-On-One Chiropractic Coaching and N8-CBD.