CBD, or Cannabidiol, is found within cannabis. In the modern age, people are really starting to wake up to the benefits that CBD can have and the fact that you don’t actually have to get “high” to enjoy those benefits. Cannabidiol can be derived from the plant as an oil. It’s also possible to get strains of cannabis that are CBD heavy with very low THC.
The effect of CBD on our body
CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system inside the human body. The cannabinoids bind the receptors in the system. CB1 receptors help to coordinate the body’s movement as well as pain, emotions, and even your memories.
CB2 receptors are mainly found in the immune system, and they are part of regulating inflammation and pain in the body.
THC, the psychoactive substance in cannabis that causes a “high” feeling, also attaches itself to the CB1 receptors, but CBD stimulates these and makes the body make its own “endocannabinoids.”
The results tend to bring a lot of positive changes to both mind and body.
How CBD helps us to sleep better
Because cannabis was discouraged for so long, not as many studies have been done as some other substances.
There is a lot of speculation as to how CBD can help us sleep better, and it isn’t fully understood, but most studies show that CBD is a great sleep aid.
CBD itself doesn’t make you tired in the same way that THC might. It isn’t a product to instantly make you feel drowsy. Instead, it seems to help us sleep better by tackling the root causes of insomnia and lack of sleep.
Not being able to sleep has a number of reasons, and it might not be easy to work out why you are not sleeping. For some people, it is obvious; for others, it is not clear why they don’t get tired or drop off to sleep in the evening. Often, it is something that CBD can help with.
Can CBD fight insomnia?
Many people might be in emotional distress or feeling anxious when they try to sleep. Alternatively, they might have high cortisol levels in the evening, which can mean they feel stressed and not likely to sleep.
Studies show that CBD is an effective treatment against stress and anxiety. The way it interacts with the endocannabinoid system promotes feelings of calm over those that cause stress. This doesn’t automatically make someone sleepy, but it can stop the feelings causing your mind to race late at night. It can help to put you in a better mood. This can make it generally easier to get to sleep.
If you are in physical pain, it can also be really hard to get to sleep. Your body needs to be comfortable to let you drift off peacefully. CBD is a powerful anti-inflammatory and can ease your physical pain to allow you to sleep easily and get proper rest.
What does the research say?
As we have already mentioned, some of the research is in its infancy, but more people are spending time and money developing a better understanding of CBD. It’s used all over the world now, and sleep problems are some of the main reasons people turn to CBD oils and other CBD products.
One landmark study showed that people who experienced anxiety and poor sleep gained a lot from taking CBD. They were given capsules every day, and after a month, 79.2% of participants said they felt less anxious. 66.7 said they were sleeping better. That’s a huge proportion and a significant revelation for a study like this.
Many other studies are finding similar things, but most seem to point to the fact that getting to sleep easier is a bi-product of other benefits of CBD.
There is other research that looks into the impact of CBD on the sleep cycle. This study showed an improvement in REM sleep, and CBD can be used to treat people who are suffering from a REM sleep disorder, otherwise abbreviated to RBD. This can cause poor sleep and nightmares, so if you often wake up with nightmares, then this study points to CBD as a potential treatment.
These studies are also backed up by numerous studies into the impact CBD has on physical pain. Almost all of these show that CBD is a very effective anti-inflammatory, so it works similarly to anti-inflammatory medication that is often used to treat pain.
The most important studies are arguably about the safety of CBD. It is universally agreed that CBD is safe for the body. It doesn’t cause any high or have a psychoactive effect, so it is no surprise that people of all ages are turning to CBD. If you want to buy or get more information, you can click here.
Conclusion
Cannabis has become widely accepted and legal in more parts of the US. Taking CBD isn’t the same as smoking cannabis, but the industry’s growth helps when it comes to studies, and understanding more about what the benefits are for sleep and insomnia or for other ailments.
CBD benefits from being safe and natural, with very few side effects reported in people who take CBD as oil, in capsules, or in any other form. Its benefits are not fully understood, but research is universally encouraging.
