There are many physical and mental factors that can cause insomnia. Loss of sleep can also have adverse effects on your day-to-day life.
Many doctors will recommend prescription or over the counter sleeping aids to help treat the symptoms, but there are many risks associated with taking medication to help with sleep.
According to Statistics Canada, persistent insomnia has been associated with adverse health outcomes, including reduced quality of life and physical and psychological morbidity. Canadians are spending up to $5,010 per person per year, with nearly 90 percent of this amount attributed to indirect costs such as work absenteeism and reduced productivity.
Most people who experience poor sleep take a mixture of prescription, over-the-counter (OTC), and natural remedies such as:
- Prescription Sleeping Pills
- Anti-depressant medications
- Diphenhydramine (OTC)
- Doxylamine (OTC)
- Melatonin
- Chamomile
- St. John’s Wort
- Alcohol
Though these sleeping aids may provide success for users, some people can experience severe side effects and even addiction.
Common Side Effects of Prescription Sleeping Aids
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness and forgetfulness.
- Constipation
- Blurred vision
- Nausea.
These adverse effects are why many people are turning to CBD oil to assist with getting a good night’s sleep.
What Is Insomnia?
Insomnia is the clinical term for long bouts of sleeplessness due to physical or mental disturbances that prevent the body from achieving prolonged sleep.
Sleeplessness and Insomnia can often be associated with:
- Mental health issues such as PTSD and other mental traumas
- Anxiety, stress, and depression
- Medication side effects
- Pregnancy or menopause
- Illness
- Excessive food and drink consumption such as caffeine and alcohol
- Noise and other sleep disturbances
How Can CBD Oil Help You Sleep?
CBD Oil has become an acceptable alternative and complementary solution for treating many medical issues.
CBD oil is derived from the cannabinoid of the cannabis plant. It does not offer the same psychoactive properties of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which is also sourced from the cannabis plant. This means taking CBD oil will not give you the ‘high’ normally associated with THC.
Instead, many people report feeling calm and relaxed and a sense of euphoria.
When taken by itself or as a complementary treatment with other medical sleep aids, CBD oil may help with achieving sleep.
What the Research Says About CBD Oil and Sleep
Studies continue to evaluate the effectiveness of CBD oil in the treatment of sleep disorders.
Though there is limited hard evidence of its success, CBD appears to offer therapeutic potential in the treatment of insomnia. A 2017 study published in the Current Psychiatry Reports CBD may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of insomnia. The study also found CBD “held promise” for Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep behaviour disorder and excessive daytime sleepiness.
When comparing THC and CBD, the results were quite different. The study indicated that THC may decrease sleep latency but may impair sleep quality long-term while CBD may improve sleep for patients suffering from several issues related to insomnia including PTSD and chronic pain.
How to Use CBD for Sleep
It is important to consult with your physician if you are experiencing prolonged bouts of insomnia. Sleeplessness can be a symptom of physical or mental illnesses and should be evaluated to ensure the health and safety of patients.
Talk to your doctor about the appropriate dosage and best way to ingest CBD to help get a good night’s sleep. CBD can be taken in several forms depending on the nature of the pain and the preferred method of the sufferer.
- CBD Oils Tinctures – Tinctures are extracts of hemp (in liquid form) combined with a mixture of alcohol, glycerin, or cinnamon/peppermint oil. Tinctures are usually taken sublingually and generally have a lower potency of CBD.
- Edibles – CBD is mixed with food and is generally sold in a ‘candy’ form.
- Capsules – CBD is suspended in something similar to coconut oil and put in capsules for easy ingestion.
- Creams – CBD is blended with traditional lotions or creams and applied to the skin similarly to other pain-relieving topical ointments.
Risks of Taking CBD Oil
The research into CBD oil as a sleep aid is still ongoing. There is no evidence that CBD oil produces severe adverse effects.
Due to its calming effects, it is important not to mix CBD oil with other sleep aids without the supervision and advice of a medical professional. Many prescription drugs can cause drowsiness which mixed with other sleep aids can lead to disorientation and inability to perform daily activities confidently. Users should never mix sleep aids of any kind with alcohol or attempt to drive a car.
Many medical professionals see CBD oil as a good treatment for the symptoms of insomnia rather than insomnia itself suggesting it be used as an “alternative natural method to help calm anxious thoughts that often delay or interrupt natural sleep.”
CBD Vs. Other Sleeping Aids
Both CBD and traditional sleep aids offer users benefits that will help them get the sleep they need. It is important to discuss the positive and negative effects of all the options available.
Consult with your physician on the appropriate treatment options and the best way to combine treatments for the best results.
| CBD Benefits | Prescription Sleep Aids | Natural Sleep Aids |
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Final Thoughts
The medical field continues to increasingly view CBD oil as an effective complementary treatment for insomnia. While many studies have shown CBD oil offers many positive effects on helping people reduce the symptoms of insomnia, it is important to discuss its use with your physician. Sleeplessness can be the result of many factors and it’s critical to understand the reason for your insomnia to ensure it is not the result of something more serious.
PureOrganix Canada does not intend to give this as professional medical advice. Do not attempt to self-diagnose, or prescribe treatment based on the information provided on this page. Always consult your physician before making any decision on the treatment of a medical condition.
