Millions of people have trouble sleeping, and if you’re among them, CBD may be the answer to your problems. CBD, aka Cannabidiol, has become popular in recent years as a form of alternative medicine for many ailments.
It’s so popular that according to a 2019 Gallup poll, 1 in every 7 Americans, or close to 14%, use CBD.
CBD has a lot of benefits, but it’s especially popular as a sleep aid. There’s a lot of information surrounding CBD and how it can help you power through various sleep disorders. To understand how to use CBD for sleep, below is information on its inner workings to completely demystify it for new users.
What Is CBD?
Before anything, what is CBD? The U.S. National Library of Medicine defines Cannabidiol, or CBD for short, as a chemical compound found in the Cannabis sativa plant—which is also known as marijuana or hemp.
Most people often associate marijuana with THC— a famous cannabinoid with numerous benefits, including inducing euphoria and calmness and feelings of intoxication. CBD is also a beneficial cannabinoid, but it’s found in abundance in hemp. CBD isn’t intoxicating and won’t get you high after taking it.
CBD for Sleep
Using CBD for sleep is very common. Most patients who suffer from sleep disorders use CBD to help them fall asleep more quickly, stay asleep for longer, and feel well rested the following morning.
For some people, however, CBD may be more stimulating than sedating. This is often related to the type of CBD product they use, the dose they take, or just an individual’s reaction to CBD.
How to Use CBD for Sleep
Taking CBD can be a little confusing at first, especially if you’re new to it— and it only gets more complicated when you’re ingesting it.
First off, you need to figure out the correct dosage. In terms of dosing, every user is different. Some users will have to take 10 milligrams, while others will need 100.
You should start with a small dose, 20 to 40 milligrams a day. If you don’t experience a difference after a week, you can slightly increase this amount by, say, 5 milligrams. Continue increasing it until you feel a difference.
CBD is most effective at the user’s ideal dose. Too little or too much will not give you the ideal results.
If you’re going with CBD oil, for you to know how many drops you need, look at the packaging. The packaging may state how much CBD is in 1 ml. If not, find out how much CBD is in the whole bottle, and work it out from there. One drop is 0.25 or 0.5 ml of CBD and not a dropper full of CBD. You can drop as many drops as you need to reach your desired dosage and effect.
CBD tinctures or oils are dropped underneath your tongue. After you drop it there, hold it for around 30 seconds before swallowing. The CBD will absorb into the capillaries under your tongue and enter your bloodstream through them.
This will affect you much faster compared to swallowing it. You can find premium CBD products and click here to get pure CBD concentrate.
CBD Side Effects
Many people generally tolerate CBD. However, it’s essential to be aware of some side effects of taking it. According to research, some of the side effects of CBD include:
- Appetite changes
- Weight changes
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Jitteriness
- Drowsiness
CBD may also interact with medication, such as drugs that come with a grapefruit warning. These tend to be unsafe with CBD use. CBD may affect the way your body processes some medication. You should always talk to your doctor before trying CBD to be on the safer side.
How to Pick the Best CBD Products for Sleep
Check the Label
Even though CBD has come a long way in terms of advancements, there are still a lot of shady companies trying to make a quick buck from the crazed CBD market. Studies suggest that up to 60% of CBD products have been mislabeled over the past year alone.
Some of these CBD brands lie about their cannabinoid content and don’t mention the THC levels of their products or have synthetic cannabinoids that may make you ill. They are known as “white label” CBD products.
What’s The Source?
You should know where the hemp used in the CBD product is being sourced. Ensure the hemp is obtained from companies with extensive experience cultivating hemp, ensuring the growers are regulated under strict guidelines and standards so that you can be sure about the quality.
Do Your Research
You shouldn’t believe everything you read online—that’s Google 101. Therefore doing your diligent research is essential. Conducting your research will help you answer some of your questions about CBD and get some clarification.
For instance, what’s the difference between broad-spectrum and full-spectrum CBD?
Conclusion
If you experience insomnia or any sleep disorder, for that matter, that is preventing you from getting some quality shut-eye, you may want to consider trying CBD. Remember to consult your doctor before implementing any new supplements or medication into your regular regimen. Also, be sure the CBD products you want to take are designed for sleep.
