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Can CBD Help Me Sleep?

One foundational piece that contributes to our health is sleep. You may be able to have a cheat meal but it is harder to have a cheat night. A lack of rest prevents your body from rebounding and recovering from its physical, mental, and emotional tasks. Whereas a good night of sleep can help you perform at your best.

There is a regulatory system in your body that is paramount to maintaining homeostasis. That system is the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). Read more about this system here.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the main cannabinoids in the cannabis plant and can be used like an essential oil that can heavily impact your ECS. Which helps your body maintain a state of balance and stability or homeostasis.

Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD isn’t psychoactive, meaning it won’t get you “high.” Instead, it has a range of proven health applications, like reducing seizures in people with epilepsy and pain relief from various conditions with little to no side effects. While we are still understanding the effects of CBD and insomnia, many signs point to it acting as a powerful sleep aid.

Anecdotal and ongoing scientific evidence suggests that CBD and rest can go hand in hand. Here’s what you need to know about using CBD for sleep.

What does the research say about CBD and Sleep?

While CBD cannot help you if you have issues like an uncomfortable bed, CBD may help by treating the causes of sleeplessness when tied to issues with your ECS.

While research on CBD oil and sleeplessness is still in its infancy, some research suggests that CBD can impact winding down before falling asleep. According to a study published in 2019 CBD has the potential to improve sleep.

The study involved 72 subjects, with 47 experiencing anxiety and 25 experiencing poor sleep. The subjects were each given 25 milligrams (mg) of CBD in capsule form each day. In the first month, 79.2 percent of the patients reported lower anxiety levels and 66.7 percent reported better sleep.

Discomfort, which may also cause sleep problems, can be helped by CBD as well. A 2018 study in Frontiers in Pharmacology noted that there’s a fair amount of evidence to support the claim that CBD soothes bodily discomfort. The authors note that by reducing it, CBD can improve sleep.

Additional research tells us that CBD affects the sleep cycle. Another study looked at four patients with Parkinson’s disease. It found that CBD improved the symptoms of REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), a disorder in which a person acts out their dreams. RBD is associated with poor sleep and nightmares.

A 2017 review also noted that CBD may be helpful in treating RBD and that it shows the potential for treating excessive daytime sleepiness.

How CBD works to improve sleep

Even studies that conclude that CBD can improve sleep aren’t always able to say why this is the case. Most of the above-mentioned studies emphasize that we need more research on CBD before we fully understand how it affects our sleep.

However, as mentioned above, many researchers say that CBD improves sleep because it tackles the root causes of insomnia.

As more research is done on CBD, we’ll learn more about why and how it can help us sleep.

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How to use CBD for sleep

There are a number of ways to take CBD. It comes in a few different forms, including:

  • vape concentrates
  • oils and tinctures
  • pills and capsules
  • edibles, like gummies

Generally, vaping CBD gets it into your system faster than other forms. However, there’s not much research on vaping CBD, and vaping, in general, may pose respiratory risks. We at Relyf have made the decision to not produce vapes due to this risk.

The dosage of CBD you use, and the time you take it, will depend on a number of factors. Your weight, personal body chemistry, and the nature of your sleeping troubles will affect how the CBD works. What works for some people might not work for others.

Most clinical trials on CBD and sleep have involved giving the subjects anywhere between 25 mg to 1,500 mg of CBD per day. It’s best to start with a low dosage and gradually increase it until you find something that works for you.

Much of the research on CBD, anxiety, and sleep has noted that many patients don’t notice an immediate difference. The 2019 study mentioned above noted that it took about a month for the subjects to notice a difference. Be patient, and remember that you’re unlikely to get immediate results.

CBD may also interact with other medications you’re taking, so speak to your doctor before using it.

Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t guarantee the safety, effectiveness, or quality of over-the-counter (OTC) CBD products.

Since the FDA doesn’t regulate CBD products in the same way they regulate drugs or dietary supplements, companies sometimes mislabel or misrepresent their products. That means it’s especially important to do your own research and find a quality product.

Before you buy CBD from a company, research their history. Avoid companies with a history of mislabeling CBD, and opt for CBD that has been tested by a third party.

For more on sourcing a high-quality CBD check out our blog here.

According to the Mayo Clinic, doctors seldom recommend using sleep medication for longer than a few weeks. While CBD and other medication can be helpful, it’s important to get to the root cause of your sleep problems.

You may need a physical examination, to change your sleep habits, or to change your medication. Talk to your doctor if you have trouble sleeping.

Consult your medical practitioner

It’s essential to talk to your medical practitioner to find out if CBD is right for you. If you’re not sure where to start, feel free to reach out to us and schedule a free 15-minute consultation with one of our Natural Health Practitioners. We’d love to help point you in the right direction on your wellness journey.

Note: No claims in this article are meant to prevent any disease, diagnose treat or cure any ailments, and statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration of the U.S. Products are not intended to be used without the supervision of a medical professional.

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