CBD as a Sleep Aid
Raise your hand if you struggle to get to sleep and stay asleep! If you’re struggling to sleep, CBD could offer some relief. A growing body of scientific research shows CBD can help aid sleep. Isn’t CBD amazing? Let’s discuss the reasons why people typically have trouble falling asleep and how specifically CBD can help.
People often think “How can CBD help with SO MANY different ailments?” I was skeptical too! First, we must define homeostasis and understand the Endocannabinoid system to understand how CBD can help with so many different ailments. Homeostasis is the ability to maintain internal stability to compensate for environmental changes. This is your body’s optimal state where all internal systems are balanced. Homeostasis = balance!
That brings us to the Endocannabinoid system (ECS). Throughout our bodies, we have a biological system known as the ECS. The ECS has two well-studied receptors known as CB1 and CB2. Think of these as the lock. Next, we have cannabinoids which are compounds produced by our body (endocannabinoids) and by the plants found in the cannabis family (phytocannabinoids) including hemp and marijuana. CBD is a cannabinoid! Think of the cannabinoids as the keys. (See our past blog post - ‘What is the endocannabinoid system?’ if you dare to get a bit more 'sciency.')
Our bodies monitor important levels and functions continuously. When something is out of balance, our body activates the ECS to help correct it. The cannabinoids (or keys) interact with (or unlock, if you will) the CB1 or CB2 receptors (locks) restoring levels and functions to regain balance.
The far-reaching effects of CBD (and cannabis) have to do with the size and scope of the ECS itself. The ECS is present in body systems including:
- Central Nervous System
- Digestive System
- Respiratory System
- Reproductive System
- Immune System
Since the ECS is present throughout so many systems in our bodies, CBD can activate the receptors attempting to regulate homeostasis. For example - when you are hot, you start to sweat. You can thank your ECS for bringing your temperature back down. (I know sweating isn’t something you want to do but it is necessary!)
So how does CBD help with sleep?
A lack of sleep is something most people shrug off but shouldn’t. Sleep is so crucial to a healthy mind & body. Countless adults toss and turn because they experience anxiety, pain, and stress. Cue insomnia. Here’s how CBD can help:
Anxiety
Studies show CBD exhibits anti-anxiety properties. Low serotonin (the “feel good” chemical) levels can result in anxiety and depression. CBD is thought to increase the availability of serotonin, which plays a large role in our mental health. The increased availability of serotonin has soothing, anti-anxiety effects that can help people sleep.
Pain
After a long, hard day, CBD can help ease chronic pain. Just as you get in bed, your back pain amplifies and you can’t find a comfortable position. After an hour of fidgeting, you finally get to sleep only to wake up from rolling on your back. The pain you suffer from is probably caused by inflammation. CBD has been shown to reduce inflammation promoting sounder sleep!
Stress
The stress chemical, cortisol, is a big health problem! You've guessed it - CBD helps to protect against excess stress. As an effective anti-catabolic substance (a substance which protects muscle mass in the body from being broken down), CBD counteracts cortisol from being released. Helping to keep cortisol levels in check can reduce stress.
Ergo Hemp Co. offers great products to help you get a solid night’s sleep. We recommend our 500mg tincture (found here) or our CBD/Melatonin softgels (found here). We can load you up with all the facts but we put our CBD to the test.
Samantha tried our 500mg CBD oil and has this to say: “I find it very difficult to relax in the evenings and then I stay up tossing and turning because I can’t calm my mind. The first night I took a dose of the 500mg tincture and I had the best sleep I’ve had in a long time. I take it before I settle down to relax for the night - it helps me to be present and not worrying about what I have to do the next day. It’s amazing!”
Jen loves our CBD melatonin softgels. She says: “This CBD and melatonin combo is the ONLY thing that gets me to sleep through the night. I cannot live with it!”
Introducing CBD into your sleep schedule can help you get to sleep faster and stay asleep but practice good sleep habits! Skip the late afternoon coffee, step away from the screen an hour before bed, & maintain a sleep schedule. Don’t forget that a healthy diet and exercise are helpful for sleep too. Ergo Hemp Co. wants to help you achieve better health and wellness!
Stay healthy friends!
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