Can CBD Help with Sleep?

*Written in collaboration with Valor Craft Performance

Imagine waking up in the morning after a wonderful night of deep sleep. You feel refreshed, alive, and ready to take on the day. You climb out of bed, grab your favorite mug of coffee, and have a quiet moment before your day starts with a rush. A good night’s rest can usher in a sense of calm, making it easier to reflect, give thanks, and show gratitude. I think we can all agree, we would love to have more feel-good mornings like this.

As we strive toward a better night’s rest, we may find ourselves searching for something that can help us relax, ease into sleep, and allow us to stay in dreamland the entire night. It is from this place of wonder that we ask the question:

“Can CBD help regulate sleep cycles*?”

To get to the heart of this question, it’s important to understand how sleep affects the body. Sleep is the way for our bodies and our minds to relax and recover. It helps our bodies fight off disease, boost immunity, regulate metabolism, and heal. According to a scientific article by Medic and colleagues, “Sleep plays a vital role in brain function and systemic physiology across many body systems”. Unfortunately, when we don’t get enough sleep, it can increase the risk for many health concerns.

The National Sleep Foundation recommends that most adults get 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night. For many Americans, these recommendations feel like lofty goals. “Busy” gets in the way with daily household chores, kids to chase around, 9 to 5 jobs, along with a myriad of other items on the To-Do List. Before you know it, it’s way past our desired bedtime, and we can find ourselves lying in bed, struggling to fall asleep. Wouldn’t it be a dream come true if there was something that allowed us to have a consistent sleep schedule and be eased into dreamland? Of course, it would!

As the green wave of CBD crosses the US, consumers are reaching toward CBD to help them regulate their sleep cycles. According to Statista.com, the top 3 reasons people use CBD are to:

1. Reduce stress or relax
2. Relieve pain
3. Improve sleep quality

How does CBD affect sleep cycles?

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a critical role in regulating bodily functions including appetite, mood, sleep, and our internal clock. The ECS has two main receptors known as CB1 and CB2. When we consume cannabinoids such as CBD, they attach to these receptors and can help our bodies regulate our sleep cycles, mood, and pain response.

What is fascinating is that each of these body functions plays a part in how the other functions work too. So, when your appetite is off, it affects your sleep and mood. When your sleep is off, it affects your mood and appetite. When your mood is off, it affects your appetite and sleep. No matter which way you go, one affects the rest. This is why it is so important to take care of yourself in every aspect.

Let’s be honest, we have gone through a lot in the last few years! Even the simple act of turning on the nightly news can bring on feelings of worry and sadness. These negative feelings can lead us into unhealthy habits, physically, mentally, and emotionally, and most of the time it’s difficult to naturally bring those functions back to a healthy routine. Rather than seeking pharmaceutical solutions, consumers are opening their minds to natural approaches, such as hemp-derived CBD.

Let's Look at the Research

There has been some exciting preliminary research evaluating sleep cycles and CBD. According to a recent scientific review article, CBD “may be beneficial in alleviating the symptoms of insomnia”. Another study found that CBD has a calming effect on the body and may improve sleep quality. Case studies looking at people with chronic pain, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder have found improvements in sleep quality and duration following CBD administration. One case series even concluded that CBD had a positive effect on rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder in patients with Parkinson’s disease.

Although the initial research evidence is mounting, all of the authors of these research studies state that further research is needed. Unfortunately, at this time, there is not conclusive evidence for the medical community to create clear guidelines for patients and doctors to follow when they consider using CBD to assist in regulating sleep cycles. At this time, there are hemp or CBD-derived derived medications approved for sleep by the FDA. Another important consideration is that hemp-derived products can interact with other medications. Given this information, it is important for consumers to speak with their medical care providers to create a unique, individualized medical plan.

As research emerges, one thing remains certain, hemp-derived CBD can help guide the body (and endocannabinoid system) back into balance.

Buyer Beware: Not all hemp-derived CBD products are created equal. Some of them contain toxins!

As consumers turn to CBD, there is something we all need to be critically aware of: quality. As a consumer, it is overwhelming to see hundreds of hemp and CBD products for sale. Not only do we need to determine what type of product may be best for us; full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate, it is hard to know which products are safe and which ones aren’t. It is important for consumers to know that CBD products sold in the gas stations, malls, vape shops, and online are not pharmaceutical drugs and are not regulated like prescription medications.

Ashford Wellness is Here to Help

On your healthcare journey, it is critical that you do not unknowingly expose yourself to harmful levels of toxins such as heavy metals (like lead and mercury), mold, bacteria ( like e-coli and salmonella), and pesticides. The best way for you to find a high-quality product is to check that the product has extensive independent 3rd party laboratory testing. Reputable brands will list these on their websites.

OK, so now that you see the laboratory results, what does it all mean?

To be honest, these lab results are really complicated! They use a lot of technical terms and the only people who really know how to interpret them are highly-trained experts. Our scientific team at Ashford Wellness aims to make it easy for consumers to find products they can trust. We do the hard work of reviewing lab results, so you don't have to.

“Our mission is to help you easily identify, purchase, and use the best-of-the-best, CLEAN hemp-derived products, maximizing your chances of success.” - Angie Schwab - Founder & President

To qualify to be listed on the Ashford Wellness platform, every product must pass a thorough 150-point quality inspection. We also post the results of our tests on each product page.

We wish you all the best on your wellness journey!

Disclaimer: These statements are general and informational in nature. This information is not intended to be used as a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your physician before using any supplement or health and wellness product, including the hemp-derived CBD products listed on our site.

The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners. Please consult your health care professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requires this notice.