Does CBD Make You Sleepy?

Cannabidiol is derived from hemp, which has less than 0.3% of THC and does not have any psychoactive effects, unlike THC. Hence, it does not leave you feeling ‘high’ after consumption. It is becoming increasingly popular due to its limited side effects, and the relation between sleep and CBD use has now come to light.

According to the Philips Sleep Survey, around 44% of people in the world say that their sleep quality has deteriorated in the last five years. Hence, there is a need for supplements that can improve the quality of sleep for people, so that they can lead better lives through adequate rest.

The question we will tackle in this article is whether CBD makes you feel sleepy or not, and how it affects your sleep.

How does CBD work?

CBD is in a category of molecules known as cannabinoids, which activate certain biological sensors in our bodies. The compound engages cannabinoid receptors on our immune cells known as macrophages. These macrophages secrete cytokines that immune cells employ to communicate with each other, and cause inflammation. They also help eliminate unwanted cells or external organisms in the body.

The highest concentration of cannabinoid receptors is in our brain, which regulates vital functions such as sleep, appetite, and emotions. CBD releases chemicals known as neurotransmitters which modulate how our brain functions. Moreover, serotonin receptors are also activated by the CBDs which helps the brain incorporate serotonin more efficiently.

Serotonin is the hormone that makes people feel depressed and anxious if it is not available enough in the body. When the brain is able to use serotonin properly, it can result in a mood improvement for the individual using CBD.

How does CBD Make You Feel?

There are several factors that play a part in how CBD will make you feel. Interestingly, every person has unique reactions to CBD based on the delivery method, and whether or not the individual is taking any existing medication or supplements.

The terpenes present in CBD oil affect a person’s reaction to the supplement. Terpenes are substances that are important in determining the influence of a sedative, energetic or calm state depending on the consumption.

CBD is an anxiolytic is often reported to relax people experiencing anxiety. As mentioned earlier, the way people feel after consuming CBD changes depending on how much of it they take.

Low doses make people feel alert and energetic, while higher doses make people feel relaxed and may also promote drowsiness. CBD is an effective tool for people that need to calm down their minds and relax from time to time. Through its effects on the serotonin receptors, CBD can trigger a response of tiredness or sleepiness. This is achieved by blocking the receptors from the influence of other agonists.

In other words, it blocks the anxiety and depression-causing molecules and gives the user immediate relief which leads to a very relaxed sensation.

Does CBD Make You Sleepy?

Getting enough sleep on a daily basis is essential to let the body recover physically and mentally. This helps you avoid physical fatigue and brain fog so that you can function at the highest level.

Research has shown that CBD can help you sleep better. As you read earlier, higher doses of CBD can help you feel relaxed and drowsy.  A regular dose of CBD will help you achieve high-quality sleep on a daily basis.

CBD improves serotonin integration into the brain and reduces the production of cortisol, which is a stress hormone. High cortisol levels can have several negative effects on your body, some of which can be a poor sleep schedule and quality.

At this point, it is natural to wonder whether CBD can make you drowsy during the day as well. If you’d like to boost focus levels and improve clarity without feeling calm or lethargic, then CBD is the right tool for you in small doses.

Can CBD Help with Sleeping Disorders?

Initial research shows positive results when it comes to the relationship between sleep and CBD use. While more research is needed to truly understand how deeply CBD can be used to combat sleep disorders, it can help combat some disorders that prevent people from getting adequate rest.

Anxiety

While it isn’t a sleeping disorder, it certainly prevents people from falling asleep. Moreover, the quality of their daily lives is also affected negatively. Since CBD has a calming effect on the nervous system, it can be used to treat anxiety. The calming effect that the drug has can further be used to help users sleep better naturally or through the use of the drug.

Insomnia

About 30 to 48% of adults struggle with chronic insomnia. The lack of regular sleep leads to several negative effects such as poor mood, an inability to concentrate, and a very poor sleep schedule that hampers their overall quality of life. Through regular use of CBD, patients can expect to battle their insomnia in some capacity. The anxiety associated with insomnia can also be reduced as a result.

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

In this disorder, patients make rapid movements and speak during the deepest parts of their sleep known as the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) stage. This is mostly found in patients that have Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s. CBD can help reduce the number of occurrences of such symptoms to 0-1 times per week.

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness Disorder

Daytime sleepiness disorder is when a person consistently struggles to stay awake during normal daytime hours. A low dose of CBD can help wake them up and help them combat the drowsiness experienced during the day. However, a higher dose would be counterproductive and would cause them to feel more drowsy instead.

CBD vs THC for Sleep

THC is the most popular cannabinoid and is known for making people feel sleepy. It is also psychoactive and can stimulate a lot of brain activity when the person is exposed to THC. So, using THC for sleep might be counterproductive if you are trying to combat anxiety and restlessness.

Moreover, you might also be looking at a much more reduced REM when you consume THC. This means that the amount of quality sleep you get is typically low. You also stand at risk of having your sleep cycle affected negatively.

If you are looking to cannabinoids as a way of improving your sleep quality, CBD oil is the way to go. Not only does it come without the psychoactive side effects of THC, but it also helps you achieve quality rest without having to go through a drastic change in the sleep cycle.

You can also use CBD and THC in conjunction with each other if you’d like, but it is necessary to consult a health professional before doing so. You need to be aware of how your body would react to such supplements and whether they would actually be beneficial to your health.

Conclusion

CBD is a blessing for people that want to achieve a good quality of sleep on a daily basis, and for people that want to counter anxiety as well. A routine intake of the drug can help you improve your quality of life massively. You can also be assured that CBD will aid you in battling disorders such as insomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness that are very difficult to tackle otherwise.