CBD OIL FOR SLEEP AND INSOMNIA

CBD OIL FOR SLEEP AND INSOMNIA

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that causes users to lack sleep or find it hard to sleep. CBD comes in handy when dealing with sleep-related disorders such as Insomnia.

Sleep is important to the body and a key component of general health and well-being. It is through sleep that the body can repair and restore itself, ready for the next day. However, not everyone who goes to bed necessarily gets some shut-eye or enough sleep. This may be linked to Insomnia, a disorder that makes it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep. There are many remedies for Insomnia, especially medical ones used to induce sleep. However, there still exist natural ways of dealing with Insomnia, such as CBD. Here is more information on CBD oil for sleep and Insomnia. 

INSOMNIA, CAUSES, AND SYMPTOMS  

Insomnia is a sleep disorder whereby patients experience difficulty sleeping or staying asleep. In most cases, insomnia patients find themselves awake in the middle of the night and unable to go back to sleep. Insomnia can be classified into two types: primary Insomnia, which means that the disorder is not linked to any health condition, and secondary Insomnia, which is linked to an underlying health condition such as asthma or arthritis. 

Insomnia can result from many things such as life stressors (things to do with relationships and daily jobs), unhealthy lifestyle, and irregular sleep habits. For mental disorders such as depression and anxiety disorders. Dueñas et al. (2016) noted that chronic pain related to health conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia also causes Insomnia. This sleep disorder may also emulate hormone fluctuations linked to menstruation, menopause, and other medical conditions. Neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease are also other causes of Insomnia.

The common symptom of Insomnia is difficulty in sleeping or staying asleep. The other related symptom is difficulty returning to sleep once one is awake in the middle of the night. Other symptoms include sleepiness during the day, anxiety and fatigue, mood fluctuation, irritability, lack of concentration, and memory loss in severe cases. Insomnia is indiscriminative and can affect anyone, but this is in the case of primary Insomnia. Freeman et al.  (2017) explained that secondary or chronic Insomnia only affects a small number of the population as it is linked to specific health conditions.

WHAT IS CBD OIL

CBD, short for Cannabidiol, is one of the compounds of cannabis extracted from the stem and leaves of the plant in powder form. This compound is then suspended in a carrier oil to come up with CBD oil which is then utilized in various ways. The fact that CBD is a product of cannabis may raise concerns. However, it is important to note that CBD federally approved is only harnessed from the hemp plant due to its low THC content of less than 0.3%. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the compound responsible for causing a high in marijuana users.

TYPES OF CBD   

CBD depending on the extraction method and the cannabinoid content is available in three different types.  

CBD ISOLATE 

As the name suggests, it only contains Cannabidiol as the main component, no other cannabinoids or compounds of cannabis. It doesn’t lose potency even when added to other compounds or substances. The downside is that the user doesn’t get to benefit from the possible entourage effect. 

FULL-SPECTRUM CBD 

This type of CBD contains most cannabinoids and some compounds of cannabis, including traces of THC in insignificant amounts. Full-spectrum CBD is linked to the entourage effect, which states that using CBD with other cannabinoids is more effective than using CBD alone.

BROAD SPECTRUM CBD OIL 

Similar to full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD contains several cannabinoids and some compounds of CBD apart from THC. Users can also benefit from the entourage effect with broad-spectrum CBD.

HOW CBD OIL ASSISTS WITH SLEEP AND INSOMNIA

CBD can calm down the nerves from stress and depression, which may cause an individual’s insomnia disorder, and by soothing the nerves, a person can relax and sleep. CBD can also come in handy in reducing chronic pain and anxiety, which calms the mind, enabling an insomnia patient to get quality sleep. Li et al. (2018)  stated that the calmness of the mind influences the quality and quantity of sleep.  

ANXIETY AND CBD OIL 

Anxiety is not a sleep disorder but is linked to sleep disorders and insufficient and complete lack of sleep. Insomnia or lack of sleep can also lead to anxiety. Most people that use CBD to deal with anxiety report positive effects upon using CBD for at least one month. According to Williams et al. (2021), CBD calms the nerves and gives the user a sense of relaxation in the body and mind. This, in turn, induces quality sleep, and not only that, an individual can sleep for longer hours. 

INSOMNIA AND CBD OIL 

Insufficient or lack of sleep altogether affects the performance of an individual during the day. Insomnia patients often experience a lack of concentration, irritability, moodiness, and sleepiness during the day. This may, in turn, lead to physical and mental health issues. According to Rozich et al.  (2020), CBD oil works best in eliminating external causes of Insomnia such as stress and jet lag. Issues such as depression and anxiety can also be combated by CBD oil over time, and sleep can be improved in quantity and quality. If CBD is caused by underlying health conditions or medication, the use of CBD oil will be futile.

RAPID EYE MOVEMENT (REM) DISORDER AND CBD OIL 

REM is when the eyes move around rapidly in various directions while asleep but don’t send any visuals, usually when a person dreams. Roguski et al. (2020) noted that when a person has REM disorder, they often experience violent movements and may talk during sleep. This is a common condition in aged individuals, especially those with neurodegenerative diseases. Angarita et al.  (2016) showed that CBD oil before bedtime could improve this disorder after a month’s use to improve the quality and quantity of sleep. Sleep disorders are getting common, and with CBD on the market, it is no surprise that many will resolve to CBD for various reasons. However, visiting a doctor to get further instructions before using CBD is important.

CONCLUSION 

CBD oil could potentially help with sleep and Insomnia; however, you need to understand that research on this is still in infancy. Cannabidiol doesn’t have severe side effects and can work on various conditions; even so, it is important to seek direction from a doctor first. CBD oil can be taken through various methods

Crystal Kadir

MS, Durham University
GP

The work of a family doctor includes a wide range of clinical diversity, which requires extensive knowledge and erudition from a specialist. However, I believe that the most important thing for a family doctor is to be human because the cooperation and understanding between the doctor and the patient are crucial in ensuring successful health care. On my days off, I love being in nature. Since childhood, I have been passionate about playing chess and tennis. Whenever I have time off, I enjoy traveling around the world.

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