SLEEP SUNDAY – 5 WAYS CBD CAN HELP REDUCE ANXIETY AND PROMOTE RESTFUL SLEEP…

The majority of people across the globe suffer from issues with sleeplessness. During the lockdown, worry-related sleep problems were on the rise. While getting a good night’s sleep is one of the necessities in one’s life, millions experience disturbed sleep cycles.

Insomnia is a severe health condition that affects millions of people. It is commonly caused by stress, anxiety, or depression, which has a detrimental effect on one’s quality of life. Most people often resort to over-the-counter pills or prescription sleep aids. But these medications can be harmful, owing to the severe side effects they produce.

Although sleep medication may be useful in the short-term, it is not usually recommended for long-term use. Therefore, people are now considering natural remedies for help. Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the natural and effective alternatives to prescription sleep medications.

Many researchers and physicians are finding hope in CBD to help promote quality sleep. Here, we will discuss how a popular natural substance CBD, can help reduce anxiety and promote restful sleep.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol, more commonly known as CBD, is one of the many compounds found in the Cannabis Sativa plant. It has been associated with several health benefits, including relief from pain, stress, and anxiety. This is why a lot of people are utilizingCBD vape pens for anxiety. With impressive benefits and multi-use solutions, it has quickly emerged as a popular treatment for insomnia. Unlike THC, CBD is non-psychoactive; i.e., it does not give a high feeling. Therefore, it can also promote refreshing REM sleep that reduces excessive daytime sleepiness.

The Relationship Between CBD and Sleep

Experts believe CBD produces its calming, pain-reducing, anti-inflammatory effects in the body. It interacts with different proteins, receptors, and other chemicals in the brain that change hormones, neurotransmitters, and other cells throughout the body. Such interactions regulate many of the body’s functions, including sleep-wake cycles, pain perception, mood, and emotional balance.

CBD may help with both falling asleep and staying asleep. It is incredibly helpful for people who are struggling with sleep problems due to anxiety or stress. Research has shown that CBD can improve your stress response, helping you feel more relaxed and enjoy a night of profound sleep. CBD’s effects on the central nervous system are known to calm anxiety and promote healthy sleep.

Five Ways CBD Can Help Promote Restful Sleep

1.    CBD can Reduce Anxiety and Depression.

CBD can reduce anxiety and depression, which can help reduce sleep problems and promote good sleep quality. It is a promising tool for reducing anxiety. Serotonin receptors in the brain help elevate the mood. CBD interacts with the brain’s serotonin receptors that reduce both the mental and physical symptoms of anxiety. Besides, CBD also protects the neurons in the hippocampus that help in the reduction of depression.

2.    CBD may Regulate GABA Production Within the Brain.

GABA receptors are a type of neurotransmitter that promotes relaxation by easing excessive activity in the brain. CBD changes the shape of the GABA-A receptor that enhances the natural calming effect of GABA, reducing anxiety. CBD is known to interact with these receptors that benefit people suffering from wakefulness. Moreover, several medications used for insomnia also target the GABA receptors to promote sound sleep.

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1.    CBD can Help to Get Rid of Nightmares.

People with PTSD suffer from REM sleep disorder behavior with nightmares and extreme restlessness. Nightmares can adversely impact the quality of sleep. CBD may promote calmness by increasing REM sleep, which is the most vital phase of the sleep cycle. In a study, patients with PTSD reported a decrease in nightmare symptoms after starting CBD intake. Overall, CBD may help people with fear and trauma gets sound sleep.

2.    CBD May Help Regulate Circadian Rhythms.

A circadian rhythm is a natural, internal process that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. It is a physical and mental change that follows a 24-hour cycle. CBD has a considerable effect on the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in our body that plays a significant role in regulating the body’s circadian rhythm. In turn, CBD can improve sleeplessness by controlling the sleep/wake cycles.

3.    CBD Can Helps Relieve Pain.

For people with anxiety disorder, pain arising from headaches, body soreness, and muscle tension is often observed. People use CBD to treat pain in many different forms, including chronic and difficult-to-treat pain. In a recent study, individuals who received CBD treatment for anxiety reportedly experienced improvements in their ability to perform daily functions and reduce pain and anxiety symptoms.

Conclusion

CBD comes in various forms – vape pens, edibles, topicals, tinctures, capsules, dry herbs, and concentrates. Moreover, CBD is safe for consumption, provided you buy an original product. Some methods of ingestion may work better for you than others, and that can require some experimentation. In most trials that involve CBD for sleep, subjects have taken between 30 mg and 1,550 mg of CBD. Overall, CBD can decrease your symptoms of anxiety and help you get a more restful sleep. If you struggle with sleep issues, the best first step is to consult your doctor and learn more about causes and treatments.

References:

1. Matthew N Hill, Sachin Patel, et al. Functional interactions between stress and the endocannabinoid system: from synaptic signaling to behavioral output, 2010 Nov 10;30(45):14980-6. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4283-10.2010.
2. Scott Shannon, MD, Nicole Lewis, ND, et al. Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series, 2019 Jan 7. doi: 10.7812/TPP/18-041.
3. Lucas Elms, BS, Scott Shannon, MD, et al. Cannabidiol in the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Series, 2019 Apr 9. doi: 10.1089/acm.2018.0437.
4. Graham Gulbransen, MBChB, FAChAM, FRNZCGP, William Xu, et al. Cannabidiol prescription in clinical practice: an audit on the first 400 patients in New Zealand, 2020 Feb 5. doi: 10.3399/bjgpopen20X101010.