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CBD for Sleep

In today’s fast-paced world with little time to breathe and unwind, an increasing number of people are having sleep difficulties. The issue of a lack of sleep, and the pursuit for more of it, is as intense as ever. In a recent Consumer Reports survey of 4,023 adults in the United States, 27 percent said they had trouble falling asleep or staying asleep most nights. In addition, 68 percent, or an estimated 164 million Americans, struggles with falling or getting enough sleep at least once a week. For most people this means reaching for everything from lifestyle changes that induce a sense of calm and peace of mind, to practical solutions like a cool, comfortable room or sleeping pills. But there is an alternative that is getting popularity by more and more people. And that is using cannabidiol (CBD) for sleep.

Types of Insomnia

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that is makes it hard to fall asleep and/or staying asleep.

Insomnia can either acute (a couple of days) or chronic (lasting weeks or months).

It can also be transient, meaning it can come and go and can be triggered by what is going on in the person’s life at that time.

These characteristics are useful to distinguish between different types of insomnia, often describing the symptoms of each.

These include:

Acute insomnia refers to a brief period of difficulty sleeping that is usually because of a life event. This can include a stressful change in a person’s job, receiving bad news, or travel. Often acute insomnia resolves without any treatment.
Chronic insomnia which is a long-term pattern of difficulty sleeping in which a person has trouble falling asleep or staying asleep at least three nights per week for three months or longer. Chronic insomnia has many causes with some people having a long-standing history of difficulty sleeping.
Comorbid insomnia, as the name suggests, occurs in conjunction with another condition. Thes can include psychiatric symptoms such as anxiety and depression, or certain medical conditions that can either cause insomnia or make a person uncomfortable at night (as in the case of arthritis or back pain.
Onset insomnia which is a difficulty falling asleep at the beginning of the night.
Maintenance insomnia which is the inability to stay asleep with sufferers frequently waking up during the night and have difficulty falling asleep again.

Symptoms of Insomnia

Symptoms can vary a lot between different people and is very much dependent on the original cause of the insomnia and how long they’ve been dealing with it.

Many symptoms are common and include the following:

Physical Symptoms

Difficulty falling asleep at night
Waking up during the night
Waking up too early
Not feeling well-rested after a night’s sleep
Daytime tiredness or sleepiness

Emotional & Miscellaneous Symptoms

Irritability, depression or anxiety
Difficulty paying attention, focusing on tasks or remembering
Increased errors or accidents
Ongoing worries about sleep

CBD for Insomnia

CBD for sleep is increasingly becoming a very popular treatment option for many people.

One can take CBD both orally or topically.

CBD for sleep is especially for the many insomnia sufferers that are taking sleep medications.

CBD is an effective, relatively cheap and safe alternative to pharmaceutical drugs.

And many scientists agree.

This is because they have found that CBD interacts with a wide network of receptors, neurotransmitters and other chemicals in the brain that is responsible for regulating things like anxiety, stress, chronic pain as well as many of the biological systems involved with sleep-wake cycles.

Let’s take a look.

CBD, the Endocannabinoid System & Sleep

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is made up of various cannabinoid receptors, metabolic enzymes (FAAH and MAGL) and endocannabinoids (the cannabinoids your body makes).

These systems are called anandamide and 2-AG.

These endocannabinoids act as a very important type of neurotransmitters (retrograde signaling messengers) that control the sleep-wake cycle.

Scientists discovered that different elements of the endocannabinoid system are important to sleep homeostasis and modulation.

These systems are: the CB1 cannabinoid receptor, FAAH and anadamide.

Because CBD interacts directly with the ECS, restoring a sense of balance that promotes optimal functioning, especially in people suffering from an endocannabinoid deficiency.

CBD, Anandamide & Sleep

As mentioned, the endocannabinoid anandamide is intricately involved with the sleep-wake cycle, and modulating sleep patterns.

However, another way in which it helps with sleep is by interacting with other types of receptors and chemicals in the brain that set the scene for a good night’s sleep.

As one of the body’s major endocannabinoids, aside from the ECS, anandamide is also manufactured in areas of the brain associated with mood, motivation, and higher thought processes.

Because of this, anandamide exhibits both anti-anxiety and antidepressant properties.

When taking CBD, it not only prevents the breakdown of anandamide, but it also enhances anandamide signaling in the brain.

What this means is: CBD works together with your ECS.

It also works with various different brain chemicals to help reduce feelings of stress, anxiety and depression.

It sets the stage for a good night’s sleep naturally.

CBD, REM Sleep & Insomnia

REM sleep which stands for Rapid Eye Movement, the only sleep stage in which the eyes move quickly in different directions.

During REM sleep you can experience vivid dreaming since the brain is more active.

Because of this, REM sleep is thought to help in the formation of new memories, stimulation of the central nervous system, and restoration of brain chemistry to a normal balance.

This is also why this sleep-stage is thought to benefit emotional health and that a lack of it leading to anxiety, depression, and ironically also worsen insomnia.

CBD has been found to promote REM sleep, not only reducing many of the negative psychological effects of sleep deprivation but also alleviate insomnia itself.

CBD Products for SLEEP

As with anything health related, it is important to always choose a high-quality product when using CBD for sleep.

It is also important to keep on taking it regularly to experience full benefits.

The best CBD Products we have found to help you with your sleep is at: Emperor One CBD. Click here to see their full line of CBD products.

CBD Oils & Tinctures:

For daily prevention and maintenance we recommend the sublingual administration of a full-spectrum CBD oil or tincture.

Mind dosage though as low dosages can be energizing while higher dosages seem to induce sleep.

Gel Caps:

We also recommend using a full-spectrum CBD gel capsules about 60 – 90 minutes before bedtime to help with relaxation and sleep.

Vaping: Vaping CBD before bed time can provide almost immediate effects due to its fast onset of action

CBD for sleep, CBD Oils

CBD for Sleep

CBD for Sleep

Types of Insomnia