While CBD has been positively linked to helping people with chronic pain, anxiety, nausea, and even cancer, many still have questions around the best CBD oil for sleep and when to take CBD oil to combat sleep issues. 

In our constant, on-the-go lifestyles, everyone could use a little more sleep. 

Proof? The question, “how to get more sleep?” turns up almost 2 billion hits on Google, meaning millions of people are looking for quality ways to get more zzz’s – and CBD oil can help.

First, it’s important to understand the most common reasons for sleep issues and what other options are currently readily available.

What’s keeping us up at night? 

According to findings from the Public Health Agency of Canada, more sedentary time (sitting at the desk for long hours or binge-watching Netflix, for example), chronic stress, and poor mental health are three of the biggest impacts on sleep. The same 2019 study found that:

• 1 in 2 adults have trouble going or staying asleep
• 1 in 5 adults say their sleep is not refreshing
• 1 in 3 adults have difficulty staying awake during normal, waking hours

According to the Sleep Health Foundation, 1 in 3 adults have at least mild insomnia and the majority of adults will be impacted by insomnia at one point in their life or another. From a lifestyle perspective, lack of regular exercise or physical activity, alcohol, smoking, and caffeine all are culprits of poor sleep health. Mental health issues such as anxiety and depression can also contribute to a cycle of sleep deprivation, causing restless sleep, yet remaining common in adults who lack quality sleep.

Screen time is another common culprit. Whether it’s watching on your TV or tablet, or even more likely, scrolling through your phone, not being able to disconnect keeps our minds busy and makes falling asleep a more difficult task.

Most common solutions for sleep disorders

While there are several prescriptions and medications for people with severe or chronic insomnia, many of these medications can cause side effects such as nausea, and grogginess. For other natural solutions, both melatonin and magnesium (usually in pill form) are popular options. Melatonin is a hormone found in the blood, with the highest levels found at night, playing a key role in the body’s sleep-wake cycle. Due to this, Melatonin as a supplement has been found to provide some relief from insomnia. Magnesium is a chemical element necessary for many bodily functions, including supporting deep sleep; as such, those who are magnesium deficient may find magnesium supplements helpful in combating poor sleep. The issue with melatonin and magnesium supplements is that the effects are not long-lasting or potent enough for people with chronic sleep issues or mental health challenges, such as anxiety.  It is not uncommon to fall asleep more easily when taking these supplements, only to find yourself waking up in the middle of the night, unable to fall back asleep.

When to take CBD Oil for sleep

If the above situations describe your sleeping issues and perhaps even solutions you’ve tried, you may be wondering how CBD oil can be used for sleep.

CBD or cannabidiol is not new to the natural health scene. It was discovered more than 60 years ago, but has recently created more of a buzz as more people look to natural health remedies. There have also been more academic and scientific interest on the therapeutic benefits of CBD and how we can use it for the best health impacts.

CBD oil for sleep has proven to be effective thanks to its ability to naturally interact with our body’s Endocannabinoid System (ECS). The body’s ECS is a group of receptors in the central nervous system that specifically interact with cannabinoids like CBD to maintain homeostasis – physical and mental balance and stability throughout the body – the type of balance that can help both the mind and body relax, encouraging quality sleep.

As the central nervous system helps regulate our body’s hormones (such as cortisol, the stress hormone, or melatonin, the sleep hormone, mentioned above), CBD and other cannabinoids work with the ECS to regulate hormone-related issues. This is one of the reasons why CBD is so effective for those who suffer from anxiety and sleep disorders. 

CBD oil can be used to help relieve nausea, pain, anxiety, inflammation, and more ailments. Its ability to interact with the body’s ECS to help maintain homeostasis throughout the body, not only can help you sleep, but also serves as a natural alternative to ibuprofen and other synthetic anti-inflammatories to reduce and relieve pain, inflammation, and muscle spasms throughout the body.

Is CBD Oil safe?

Yes. CBD oil is completely safe for most people and there are no lethally toxic levels of CBD. It’s also important to note that although CBD and THC come from the same family of cannabis plants, there are no psychoactive properties in CBD, meaning it won’t make you high. Whenever considering alternative solutions for your health, be sure to check with your doctor first. CBD may sometimes interact with certain medications such as blood thinners, so check with your pharmacist or doctor if you’re currently taking any prescribed medications.

How to use CBD Oil for sleep

CBD oil for sleep is recommended because, firstly it’s easy to use. CBD oil can be dropped and held under the tongue to dissolve through the glands in our gums (sublingually). Using this method, CBD oil can be absorbed directly into the bloodstream.  Taking CBD oil sublingually cuts the onset time to 15-20 minutes, so taking it right before bed or as you’re getting ready to hit the hay will allow it to work it’s way into your system by the time you rest your head.

Alternatively, CBD can also be ingested using CBD Capsules or CBD gummies, however this method may take slightly longer for the CBD to pass through the digestive system and metabolize (about 45-60 minutes) . While both methods will provide your body the CBD it needs for a long and restful sleep, consider your routine and schedule to determine when to take CBD for sleep.

How many drops of CBD oil for sleep?

CBD in all its forms is still new for so many people. We’ve created a short quiz here that will help you determine how much CBD to take and which bottle is right for you. If you’re just starting to use CBD oil for sleep or are interested in learning more about dosing we suggest taking the quiz. 

Typically, a dose of CBD oil for sleep for the average person is 0.1mg – 0.2mg per pound of body weight. However, there are many factors that affect the body’s ability to absorb CBD, including weight, body chemistry, and the symptoms and severity of the symptoms for which you’re using CBD. While CBD is safe (even for pets), everyone’s body chemistry is different, therefore the way individuals react to CBD will also differ. As CBD in all its forms continues to gain mainstream and popular traction, it’s important to remember to start low and go slow. To help figure out what dosage is optimal for you, we’ve created a CBD dosage chart to help you determine where to start with CBD. After determining your baseline, it’s recommended to incrementally increase dosage by a few mg’s every 2-3 days until you find relief

Especially when using CBD oil for sleep, it may take a bit of trial and error to see what works best for you.

CBD’s potential health benefits are still being uncovered, with more and more research being done. What we know now though is that it’s an effective means to help relieve pain, inflammation, and naturally works with your body to help you achieve longer, more restful sleep. Gone are the nights of tossing and turning with a drop or two of CBD oil. The sheep will count themselves to sleep.