CBD: for Sleep and Insomnia

Not sleeping well will drastically lower the quality of your everyday life. Being tired and not properly restored will affect you both mentally, and physically; making you groggy and frustrated and lacking energy. For years researchers have been studying how cannabis could improve sleep quality, but primarily focussing on the cannabinoid THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Now attention has been turned to a different phytocannabinoid, CBD (cannabidiol) which carries a large number of therapeutic benefits without the psychoactive effects of THC.

If you can pinpoint the cause of your lack of sleep and it’s easily solved, such as caffeine and noise, then address this first. For the more deeply rooted issues, research is showing that CBD could be a naturally sourced solution.

Pain is a factor which can greatly disrupt sleep. A 2018 review looked into preclinical and clinical research of cannabinoids in the treatment of pain; findings showed that cannabinoids are promising new therapeutic strategies for pain treatment.¹ The PDQ Integrative Alternative and Complementary Therapies Editorial Board (2018) states that pain relief and improved sleep are some of the potential benefits of cannabinoids for people with cancer.²

Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behaviour disorder - also referred to as RBD - is a sleep condition which has physiological similarities to waking states and is consequently significantly less restoritative than other sleep states. RBD is categorised by eye movement, vivid dreaming, and nightmares. Research from 2014 looking into four patients with Parkinson’s and found that CBD improved the symptoms of RBD, offering a deeper and more restorative quality of sleep.

If you have trouble getting a good night’s sleep, or if you suffer from insomnia, take time to consider the contributing factors and how you may address them. CBD is a natural and popular solution for improving your sleep quality, leaving you feeling restored and ready to take on the next day.