Disruption in Our Sleep
Sleep disorders plague approximately 10 percent of the American population. From acute insomnia to many more intense sleep disruptions such as sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome and narcolepsy, we struggle for a good night’s sleep. Characterized by exhaustion during the day, falling asleep at inopportune or inappropriate times and having irregular wake and sleep patterns, to list only a few. Sleep issues can really affect our quality of life. Even more unfortunate is that many of these sleep issues have been brought on by secondary factors like stress, medications or obesity. With the aid of pharmaceuticals, many people are able to experience lessening symptoms or resolution while remaining on the medications.
According to the American Sleep Association, the statistics on our horrible sleep are astounding! Among the 50-70 million US adults who claim to have a sleep disorder, 48.0% report snoring; 37.9% reported unintentionally falling asleep during the day at least once in the preceding month; 4.7% reported nodding off or falling asleep while driving at least once in the preceding month; Drowsy driving is responsible for 1,550 fatalities and 40,000 nonfatal injuries annually in the United States. Insomnia is the most common specific sleep disorder, with short term issues reported by about 30% of adults and chronic insomnia by 10%; 25 Million U.S. adults have obstructive sleep apnea; 9-21% of women have obstructive sleep apnea; 24-31% of men have obstructive sleep apnea; 3–5% of the overall proportion of obesity in adults could be attributable to short sleep.
With many Americans trending away from pharmaceuticals to cure their ailments, we are searching for more holistic or natural relief in our sleep aids as well. Everything from special pillows to aid in circulation, to elastic strips hoping to open our nasal passages to melatonin in several forms, the over the counter aids seem endless. Among the long list, but quickly becoming more and more popular in the fight against sleepless nights, is CBD.
CBD for Sleep Support
Cannabidiol — also known as CBD — is one of the main cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD isn’t psychoactive, meaning it won’t get you “high.” Recent research and anecdotal evidence have begun to point toward a calming effect for CBD in the central nervous system. People are reporting that not only is CBD calming them, helping them to initially fall asleep, but it is helping to prolong their sleep which is providing added rest nightly.
CBD is generally considered well tolerated and safe for most healthy individuals, including your pets! With this, it is becoming very popular to combine CBD with other natural ingredients such as certain essential oils or melatonin, both known for their relaxing properties to support sleep. The following products have positive reports from users in their sleep support.
CBD Tinctures – If you prefer a more pure oil that you can simply place under your tongue, the tincture mixes tend to have a higher concentration of CBD and for some is the most relaxing of all of the options.
CBD Gummies – If you like your CBD in candy form, gummies usually come as a mix of melatonin, CBD and the rest of hemp’s naturally occurring phytocannabinoids, and are a great way to support sound, quality sleep, and regular sleep cycles.
CBD Bath Bombs – If you’re looking for a great way to relax, spend a few uninterrupted minutes alone and absorb CBD through your skin, bath bombs are the way to go! Often combined with essential oils such as Lavender, whose relaxing powers are already well known, Bath Bombs can be a great way to harness the power of CBD for those who may not be ready to ingest.
Shopping for CBD
As can be true with anything new on the market, CBD has varying levels of purity and trustworthiness. When shopping for your CBD products, looking for organic farm raised hemp from companies with transparent findings is likely your best bet. Looking for third party lab findings revealed on the sites is also a good sign.
In addition, a Certificate of Analysis, or COA, helps ensure that a manufacturer’s products are made to specification, and indicates the quantity of cannabinoids found in each product, like CBD. In addition to cannabinoids, this certificate should show details on the levels of terpenes, heavy metals, pesticides, and THC found in an individual batch of products. COAs are meant to keep customers safe and informed, but they also help emphasize quality.
Consult a Doctor
Always consult your doctor before changing medication or starting something new, including CBD. Always consult your doctor before using CBD if you are nursing or pregnant.
According to an article published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, “Current research indicates that cannabis has a low overall risk with short-term use, but more research is needed to clarify possible long-term risks and harms.”
