Sleeping is an essential bodily function that helps our cells recover and our minds stay sharp. Adults typically need between seven to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep each night, but 5.7% of people between 18 and 64 years old report sleeping much less than that. Up to 30% of Americans suffer from chronic insomnia, and almost 50% claim to feel sleepy while performing their daily tasks.
Many factors keep people up at night, like medical conditions and mental health disorders. These issues are not exclusive to individuals of a certain age, and they can have dire consequences if they go unattended. Besides its potential adverse effects on people’s overall health, poor sleep increases the risk of fatal traffic and work-related accidents.
To prevent these and other problems, up to 8% of people affected by insomnia use some form of sleep aid on a regular basis. CBD gummies are quickly gaining in popularity as an alternative to traditional sleep aids.
CBD Gummies for Sleep: What You Need to Know
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of the 113 compounds present in the cannabis plant, along with THC, and is one of the most studied cannabinoids to date. CBD is currently building a reputation for helping with conditions like:
- Chronic pain
- Migraines
- Seizures
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Inflammation
- Drug withdrawal
- Insomnia
However, it’s important to note that research is still ongoing. There’s still no solid scientific consensus on CBD’S effectiveness, safety, or long-term effects, in part because there are severe restrictions on the scientific study of the cannabis plant. Talk to a licensed practitioner before attempting to substitute any traditional medications with a therapeutic cannabis product.
CBD vs. THC: How Do They Work Exactly?
As mentioned above, CBD and THC are two cannabinoid compounds. Although they’re similar in structure, they interact differently with the human body. When users smoke or ingest any cannabis product, these chemicals travel through the bloodstream until they reach the endocannabinoid system, located within the immune and nervous systems.
Once there, CBD and THC interact with, and bind to, various receptors. While THC directly activates neurons and causes them to send the signals associated with intoxication, CBD interacts indirectly with them, and, as a result, they don’t signal.
CBD has also been shown to interact with elements outside of the endocannabinoid system. This compound may activate the adenosine receptors, which regulate pain and inflammatory reactions, and dopamine receptors, which affect cognition.
The main difference between these compounds is that THC is a psychoactive substance. This means it can cause euphoria, heightened one’s senses, or have sedative effects — in other words, being high. On the flip side, CBD is non-psychoactive. It won’t affect the user’s mental state or lead to intoxication.
There are three primary types of CBD:
- CBD isolate – This is the purest form of CBD. It presents no other compounds.
- Full-spectrum CBD – This extract may contain terpenes and other cannabinoids. It can have up to 0.3% of THC.
- Broad-spectrum CBD – This type has zero or trace amounts of THC, although it may contain terpenes and other cannabinoids.
It’s a common misconception that CBD products can get users high, like THC, but that’s not necessarily true. It could happen, but only if the user took a low-quality product that didn’t go through stringent quality assessments to ensure the product was less than 0.3% THC.
The Many Forms of CBD
There’s no right or wrong when finding a method of choice to consume CBD, and there are many choices. Dispensaries and online stores are packed with all sorts of CBD products, and it comes down to personal preference.. The most popular are:
- Tinctures and Oils – These products are alcohol or oil-based solutions used to extract the natural compounds of the raw cannabis plant. They can be taken directly by mouth or mixed with drinks and food.
- Sublingual Strips – These products consist of thin CBD-infused films that consumers place under their tongues for easy administration and quick release.
- Topicals – These products are creams, ointments, and patches that can be applied directly to muscles, joints, and skin.
- Pills – These products are natural CBD extracts, supported by a fatty oil carrier within a gelatine capsule, that users can easily swallow.
- Edibles – These are food products, like gummies, chocolates, baked goods, or candies, that contain CBD. The CBD inside is released slowly over time.
Some or all CBD products may be illegal under local laws, or require a prescription in order to purchase. Users must make sure they’re following any laws or regulations before they consume CBD.
Using CBD for Sleep
Some studies, studying CBD’s ability to make getting a good night’s sleep easier, have shown some promising results. However, since there are so many restrictions on the study of cannabinoids, there are no good dosing guidelines or guarantees.
Whenusing CBD for the first time, it may be easiest to start with what the body already knows — eating. A CBD edible will release its contents slowly, so the effects will be longer-lasting.
When using CBD to fall asleep, it might take some trial and error to hit the right dosage for each individual. Start slowly and monitor the effects until the desired results are achieved.
When one is using CBD gummies to treat a chronic health condition, like insomnia or sleep apnea, that affects sleep quality, make sure to consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional. CBD is not a substitute for proper medical treatment.
Try CBD Gummies for Sleep
Time and time again, it’s been proven that getting better sleep improves a person’s life. CBD is still under research, but there are promising results when it’s used as a sleep aid. If traditional sleep aids haven’t worked so far, try CBD gummies.
CBD Direct Club ships quality CBD products right to each member’s door — no hassle, no standing in line, no shopping around required. CBD Direct Club offers the best prices on the highest-quality CBD products on the market. Visit CBD Direct Club and place an order today.