CBD gummies for sleep aid: What you need to know

CBD is a phenomenon amongst natural health advocates. Some studies are showing how the chemical can work to help your body function the way it needs to while combating illnesses and disorders. CBD gummies have become popular for tastiness and convenience, and also among those who need help with the lack of sleep.

What is CBD?

CBD is cannabidiol and it binds with receptors throughout the central nervous system of our bodies. They essentially act as chemical messengers and can activate or inhibit certain nervous system activities.

THC functions the same way but there is a difference between CBD and THC. THC has a psychoactive component that gives us a “high” feeling. CBD is a non-psychoactive chemical that may make you feel relaxed, never high. This psychoactive component is what shows up in urinalysis for drug use.

How it works for sleep

When you use CBD gummies for sleep, it must go through the digestive system in order to release the CBD into the bloodstream. If you used oil, you would feel relaxed immediately. Sleep could be induced and can last as long as it is in your system. CBD oils work fast so there is a potential that the effects are short-lived. Digesting a gummy means that the CBD is put in the bloodstream at a slower pace and the effects last longer.

The endocannabinoid system is all through the body and receptors for our circadian rhythms. Those receptors have been identified as CB1 and CB2. The cannabinoids released into the blood attach to these receptors and induce sleep. CBD is also a chemical that helps with anxiety, something many insomniacs suffer with during the night.  

What the research says

Studies are always being conducted on CBD and its effectiveness for illnesses, disorders, diseases, and natural health. Studies for sleep have been ongoing but what has been conducted has interesting findings.

There was a recent study released that shows how effective CBD can be for sleep. 490 participants who suffered insomnia were studied for two years. Each was to rate the severity of their insomnia on a scale of one to ten. The average rate was about 6.6 at the beginning of the study. Participants were treated with a variety of methods. At the end of the study, the partakers were asked to rate the severity of their insomnia again. The average rate was 2.2, a significant drop in severity.

Insomniacs are not the only people who suffer from poor sleep, so do those with anxiety disorders. Another study was conducted that featured 72 clients who had some form of anxiety disorder. Each client completed sleep and anxiety assessments at the beginning of the study, and in the first month follow up.

Each participant was given 25 mg of CBD in pill form. The participant who had sleep problems more than anxiety took their dose in the evening before bed. Those whose anxiety predominated sleep problems took their dose in the morning. After one month of study, anxiety was reduced by an astonishing 79%. Sleeplessness and insomnia were reduced by 66%.

Why take gummies?

With CBD being available in many forms, you may wonder why gummies are a better choice.  It’s claimed that CBD oil is effective but the taste can turn some people off. Fruity gummies are simply put, tastier and can cover the earthy taste of CBD. Pills are an option but many people associate pills with prescribed meds and aren’t interested in adding more pills to their regime.

Let’s also look at convenience and discretion. CBD still comes with a stigma that advocates are working hard to dispel. It comes of no surprise that people want to be able to use CBD without anyone knowing. Pills can draw attention as a prescribed medication. No one ever comments on the fact your snacking on gummies, unless maybe to ask for one.

As for the scientific reasons, it’s claimed that using CBD gummies for sleep keeps releasing cannabinoids into your bloodstream making the effects longer-lasting. When it comes to a good night’s sleep, you want that elongated effect.

Possible interactions

While CBD is a natural product, there can still be interactions with other medications you may be taking, and that’s why you should always talk about this with a doctor before going ahead with it. CBD has an impact on the metabolisation of other drugs, often slowing it down. This means that it will take longer for your prescribed med to be used by your body and that isn’t necessarily a good thing. At the same time, it can also speed up the metabolism and flooding your system sooner. Some common drug interactions include:

• Steroids
• Antihistamines
• HIV antivirals
• Benzodiazepines
• Antidepressants
• Antiepileptics
• NSAIDs

This does not mean you should stop any of your medications if you choose to use CBD. You should speak with your doctor and work out the best plan for you. Your doctor can adjust your prescriptions to accommodate for the change in metabolism.

Each body metabolises differently so that adds an extra layer of importance to talk with your doctor. There are many people who are able to use CBD and prescribed medications together with great success. If you are not taking any medications, it is still a good idea to talk with your doctor. It can be a great teaching tool on why your health is in tip-top shape.

CBD gummies have grown in popularity in 2019 and we expect to see more edibles take the stage and make CBD accessible to everyone. As studies are continued, it’s likely that the list of benefits will grow substantially.

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