What does the science say about CBD and sleep?
When it comes to CBD and sleep, the science isn’t entirely clear. That’s because some studies use CBD mixed with THC instead of CBD alone. And only a few studies focus on people with sleep problems as their only concern. Cannabinoids seem to help improve sleep in studies of people with other health conditions, such as chronic pain and multiple sclerosis. But CBD might affect your sleep differently if you have other health concerns as well.
CBD with THC improves sleep
When CBD is combined with THC, studies show that it can help treat insomnia in people without any other medical conditions. When people with moderate-to-severe insomnia used a mixture of CBD mixed with THC and cannabinol (CBN), it helped their insomnia. They fell asleep faster, slept longer, and reported better sleep quality.
How might CBD work for sleep?
It’s possible that CBD might affect your sleep through something called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a network in your body that has many jobs, including helping to control pain, emotions, and sleep patterns. It also involves a part of your brain called the hypothalamus, which helps you fall asleep and wake up.
In the ECS, there are receptors that can interact with CBD. When CBD connects with these receptors, it might affect your sleep pattern. This could potentially help your body stick to a more regular sleep cycle — and make it easier for you to fall asleep at night and wake up in the morning.
The bottom line
CBD products claim to help with many different things, including sleep problems. And though there’s some evidence that CBD might be helpful for sleep, it seems it might be more helpful for people with underlying health issues causing their poor sleep. If you have insomnia but no other health conditions, then the evidence is less clear.
The good news: For most people, CBD is generally considered safe to try, including for sleep. If you’re interested in CBD, talk with your healthcare professional. They can help you choose a product that’s safe and reliable. Then you can see if CBD helps you get a good night’s rest.