Will CBD Gummies Help Me with Sleep Disorders Such as Insomnia?

The cannabis sativa plant is well known for its relaxing properties. In the 1800’s, physician William O’Shaughnessy reported that cannabis was an effective sedative for pain and rheumatism. Since then, many studies have verified that small doses of THC can help people fall asleep faster and even stay asleep, but can CBD resolve insomnia? Let’s take a closer look.

Insomnia is defined as an inability to fall asleep or to stay asleep. There are many reasons that one might experience insomnia including anxiety. Overdosing on THC can actually cause anxiety in some cannabis consumers. While CBD is not known to induce sleep, it is known to reduce anxiety thereby helping people to relax and prepare for sleep. And, CBD doesn’t inhibit sleep, so that is important to note.

If nighttime sleep disturbances are anxiety-related, taking CBD prior to sleep could diminish anxiety nightmares thereby assisting one with staying asleep longer and in deeper, more replenishing sleep states. Daytime dosing of CBD is advised to address stress incurred during the hours that one is awake and encountering stressful scenarios or experiences that might trigger anxiety.

The Entourage Effect of Cannabinoids and Terpenoids Working Together

If one is well-rested, CBD before sleep might be too stimulating. However, if extreme fatigue is setting in, taking CBD to support sleep may be beneficial. Ultimately, according to Michael Backes, author of the book “Cannabis Pharmacy”, a combination of CBD and THC is advised.

“The literature suggests, overall, that CBD plays a role as a ‘modulator' of the therapeutic effect of THC.” Controlled studies of CBD oral spray “found it superior to placebo, but inferior to THC/CBD oral spray.” Therefore, full spectrum hemp-derived CBD versus broad spectrum sleep products containing .3% or less of THC potency may be better suited to a regimen whereby one takes the CBD product before bedtime to induce sleep.

Combining cannabinoids such as CBD and THC can lead to better results in how we feel because this approach better resembles the combinations of compounds found in the whole plant and because these compounds work synergistically. Cannabinoids such as CBD, CBN (cannabinol is the phytocannabinoid product of THC exposed to oxygen over time), and THC alongside terpenoids such as linalool work well together to up-regulate and down-regulate the endocannabinoid system - the nervous system found in mammals that integrates with cannabinoids. This combination can also be supremely effective in inducing sleep and later staying asleep. We call this process of cannabinoids and terpenoids working better in concert the “entourage effect.”

What is Cannabinol (CBN) and Is It Beneficial for Sleep?

Medical patients have reported that CBN or cannabinol works well as a sedative in combination with THC. CBN is not a phytocannabinoid found in the cannabis sativa plant, but rather develops after harvest as the byproduct of THC when it degrades over time. One might gather that smoking older flower would increase the CBN content of ingestion, however it is worth noting that CBN is more easily absorbed by the body orally than via inhalation. Thus, a full spectrum CBD gummy with CBN is a great choice for administration when treating sleep disorders.

Ready to try a full spectrum CBD gummy with CBN for sleep? Check out these PūrSlēp CBD and CBN gummies for sleep made with the award-winning nighttime formula from PūrSlēp. Other noteworthy ingredients include Valerian Root, Melatonin, L-Theanine, Magnesium, and 5HTP.

- Courtney Freeman

Host of the Conscious Cannabiz Podcast, Contributor to top publications including MerryJane and MJ Lifestyle. CEO White Buffalo. Expert in Formulating cannabis products and bringing them to market.

Connect with Courtney on Linked In or her Website

Source:

Backes, Michael. Cannabis Pharmacy. London, Elephant Book Company Limited, 2014.