CBD and Its Effects On Insomnia

Whether you’re distracted by your phone, in pain, or simply have a sleeping schedule wrecked by long hours, it seems like everyone in the United States has experienced issues with sleep.
​
Today, we are focused more and more on how important sleep is.

While we still haven’t figured out all of the worlds health problems, one thing we know is that everyone needs a good night rest.

A lack of sleep doesn’t just leave you feeling out of it the next day.

Studies have shown that poor sleep quality can put you at risk for serious health problems including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and stroke. Worst of all it’s not a great day when you feel off. Job performance suffers, and overall quality of life is in jeopardy.

If you’re dealing with a frustrating sleep disorder, cannabidiol cbd oil might be the way to help that you’ve been searching for.

As a natural plant-based alternative to over-the-counter drugs, which can be dangerous and habit-forming, using high cbd for sleep has gained rapid popularity in recent years.

We hope that the Revival blog can help by teaching you what CBD is, the effects of the compound on the body, how much you should take to help improve your sleep quality, and where you can buy the oil safely.
As A Dietary Supplement
Cannabidiol is a cannabinoid that’s available in supplement form, and has a number of possible uses, including help with stress and anxiety, pain, and sleep problems. Unlike medical cannabis, it is legal in all 50 states. Even if you live in a state where medical cannabis is currently not legal, you can usually find a place to purchase and use CBD.

So how does it work?

In school, you are taught that there are 11 major organ systems in the human body. They include the circulatory, respiratory, urinary, reproductive, integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, lymphatic, and digestive systems.
All these systems make up the human body.

But did you know you also have another system, rarely discussed in school or university? It is the beloved endocannabinoid system.

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a chemical compound that’s found in the cannabis plant. It actually has a reactive property in your endocannabinoid system. Cannabis has been used medicinally for centuries now, as a sleep aid, a pain and nausea reducer, to relieve anxiety and other mood problems. However, all the propaganda around the plant seems to have had the opposite effect on society.

In the mid-1960s, scientists identified this wonderful compound and since then, they have gone on to identify more than eighty individual cannabinoids and continue to investigate them for their potential symptom-relieving and disease-fighting abilities.

They each have distinctly different effects within the body, and different potential uses for health and disease.

Two of the cannabinoids that are most widely recognized for their medicinal value are CBD and THC. Tetrahydrocannabinol THC is a chemical compound that delivers the “high” that occurs from ingesting marijuana, via the lungs or stomach digestion.

CBD, on the other hand, has no particular high associated with it. The effects are much more varied, and for this we think that it’s worth educating the public about.

Instead, this compound has calming, anti-anxiety, and antipsychotic effects. In fact, CBD is sometimes used in combination with THC to counteract a high THC strains mind-altering effects.

CBD has captured a great deal of scientific attention for its health benefits. Along with THC, CBD is the most well researched of the cannabinoids.

CBD can be extracted from the cannabis plant, made synthetically and is made using proprietary industrial techniques from hemp plants.

CBD and synthetic CBD are found in supplements and medications specifically developed to take advantage of this compound therapeutic abilities. CBD is produced in pill form, as well as in sprays, tinctures, and inhalers.
How does CBD work?
Scientists have made a lot of progress in understanding how CBD produces its calming, pain-reducing, anti-inflammatory effects in the body—and there’s still more to learn. We know that CBD interacts with many different receptors, proteins, and other chemicals in the brain. These interactions create changes in the activity of neurotransmitters, hormones, and other cells throughout the brain and body. Through these interactions, CBD appears to be able to affect many of the body’s functions, from sleep-wake cycles and emotional regulation to inflammation, pain perception, and seizures.

Our bodies actually produce their own cannabinoids, as part of what’s known as the endocannabinoid system. This system is involved in regulating many physiological processes, including mood, pain perception, appetite, and cognitive functions. CBD interacts in part with the body’s endocannabinoid system and its receptors.

According to a growing body of research, CBD may play a role in the growth of new brain cells, a process known as neurogenesis. The cannabis derivative is also widely recognized as having anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory abilities, which makes it a promising therapy for a wide range of conditions, from neurological disorders to autoimmune diseases to chronic pain and depression. It’s especially famous for treating childhood epilepsy!

CBD also works as an analgesic—a pain reducer—in the body.
What Is This Magic Cannabis Derivative?
CBD (cannabidiol) is a type of cannabinoid, an active compound found in cannabis. But while it’s derived from cannabis, it doesn’t have any of the psychoactive properties of marijuana. The “high” associated with cannabis comes from a different cannabinoid, THC.

Here’s why many are switching away from traditional over-the-counter medications:

• Antipsychotic
• Anti-inflammatory
• Calming properties that improve insomnia
• Helps with pain and anxiety

All of those are responsible for not letting you get a proper night sleep.

Without having a psychoactive, you can legally buy the oil derived from hemp in all 50 states. However, if you buy CBD oil derived from marijuana, the higher THC content might make it illegal where you live. That’s why it’s always a good idea to do your research and check your state’s laws beforehand.

In addition to treating sleep disorders, studies have shown that CBD effects may also include the potential to treat symptoms associated with a wide range of other medical conditions, including cancer, multiple sclerosis (MS), epilepsy, and Parkinson’s disease.

Using CBD for Sleep Disorders
One of the most well-known effects is in its ability to treat sleep disorders.

If you have trouble falling asleep or frequently wake up in the middle of the night and find that you can’t get back to sleep, the relaxing properties of CBD oil may help you get the good night’s rest you’ve been missing out on.

CBD oil may be an effective treatment for lack of sleep caused by any of the following conditions:

• Insomnia
• Daytime sleepiness/fatigue
• Restless leg syndrome
• Anxiety
• Chronic pain (caused migraines, arthritis, back pain, etc.)

How does it work?

The theory of CBD’s action involves our own Endocannabinoid system, as we discussed earlier.
This complex network of receptors in the human body which has been part of our lives for thousands of years. The receptors which are part of the endocannabinoid system are activated by the natural cannabinoids found in cannabis plants like hemp.

CBD is thought to relax the body and mind by through proper regulation of theendocannabinoid system (ECS), which is responsible for helping the body maintain homeostasis (the natural balance of bodily functions) and improving your overall stability.

Why doesn't this occur naturally? Well, one thought is that we live in a partly synthetic world. We aren’t outside 24/7 being active and feeling the natural fluctuation of the world at large. It’s hard to get in a state of balance with all the modern conveniences we have today. Not that this is a bad thing either, you probably don’t have the time to run a creative company and chase down your next meal, right?

CBD Effects on Chronic Pain

If chronic pain is preventing you from falling asleep at night, CBD oil might be able to help. The cannabinoid has been shown to reduce inflammation in the brain and nervous system, effectively reducing pain and making it easier to sleep.

While research into CBD effects is still relatively new, studies have found that cannabidiol may reduce pain by influencing compounds in the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). More specifically, CBD prevents the body from breaking down the compound anandamide, which is associated with pain regulation. A higher concentration of anandamide in the bloodstream has been linked to significant pain reduction.
Benefits of Using CBD over Sleeping Pills
If you walk into any drug store, you’ll find dozens of different products claiming to treat sleep disorders and chronic pain. Why should you pass those up and buy CBD for sleep instead?

Many of the pharmaceuticals prescribed to treat sleep problems come with a long list of harsh possible side effects, such as anxiety, depression, impaired driving, and symptoms of withdrawal – long-term insomnia sufferers often have a hard time quitting them.

Using CBD for sleep, on the other hand, is non-habit forming and has relatively few minor side effects. Nausea and irritability are possible, but these are uncommon CBD effects.

If you ever experienced any of these extreme symptoms from sleeping pills then you know just how hard it can be to get away from them and get into a healthy sleep routine.
CBD Dosing Information
How much CBD oil should you take to treat a sleep disorder?

It’s always best to talk with your doctor before starting any treatment, especially if you’re taking other prescription medications at the same time. Medical marijuana may not be available in your area, but you can consult a physician about whether you should try an alternative sleep aid as we’ve mentioned above.

That being said, dosage amounts vary on an individual basis depending on your weight, body chemistry, diet, and the type of condition you’re trying to treat.

Some of the research around this complex topic has recommended a dose of up to 160 mg CBD by mouth before going to bed. CBD is often referenced as being more alerting in small doses and more sedating in higher doses.

It’s always best to start with the lowest effective dose and only add more as needed. This is a great golden rule to apply.

A typical serving size of a CBD hemp extract will contain 10 to 20 mg CBD. If you are using CBD for sleep you can start with one serving size and see if that is enough for you. You can then gradually add more if needed.

While CBD is safe to consume, starting at a low dosage allows you to slowly adjust until you feel that your sleep quality has improved.

Things to Consider Before Using CBD Oil

Speaking of using the golden rule, though humans have been using cannabis-based medicines for thousands of years, we’ve only recently begun to research them.

The future of these medicines is very important and exciting, but it is important to do your homework before trying anything.

CBD oil has shown great potential as a safe, non-habit forming sleep aid and pain reliever, more research is needed to fully understand its long-term effects. So use common sense when trying these substances and as always, we recommend talking with your doctor before starting any new supplement to treat sleep disorders or chronic pain.  

The way CBD affects children is still largely unknown, which is why we only recommend it for adults. If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking any other sedative medication, consult with your doctor before you begin using CBD for sleep.

It’s a safe bet to never let anyone use your products without having them discuss options with their family practice provider.

If you’re curious about these products for yourself, check out the rest of our site, and read up on the blog.

From all of us here at Revival, Happy Holidays!

​