The facts about CBD and sleep

What exactly does CBD do? It has been touted as a cure all for everything, whether it be chronic pain, anxiety, sleeplessness, and more. There are some scientific studies to refer to, but not many. Encouragingly though, there is enough anecdotal evidence out there to believe CBD does have a number of genuine health benefits. This includes CBD and sleep. The wellness experts at GreenBox are here to demystify the topic of CBD and how it may help regulate some of the functions around rest.

How might CBD work?

So why might it work? Well, the human body has many different systems to help manage the day to day functions of life. In the early 1990’s the science community discovered another system. They called it the endocannabinoid system, or ECS for short. This system has a number of receptors located throughout the brain and the immune system. These receptors interact with naturally occurring cannabinoids produced in the body. These cannabinoids bond with ECS receptors and help regulate the stresses in our body. Whether it’s inflammation or helping reduce the flight or flight mechanism in the brain.

So where does CBD fit into the picture?  The CBD derived from a plant closely mimics a natural occurring cannabinoid in the body called 2-Arachidonoylglycerol, or 2-AG for short. A bit of a mouthful either way, but this wonderful cannabinoid is dynamically produced by the body to help with issues as they arise. However, the body also naturally produces enzymes which quickly degrade this amazing sentry of stress. So, while it helps sort out the immediate issue in bringing the body back into balance, it doesn’t entirely finish the job. There remains some residual stress. That’s where CBD could come in. CBD could be an effective way to clear up that residual stress. And in turn, it could therefore pave the way for a better night’s rest.

The vacuum cleaner analogy

We’ve put together an analogy to help explain how CBD and sleep interact. Think of using a vacuum cleaner that only has a 2-minute battery life. It could likely sort out the major areas in the room. But there would still be some dust left in the corners or under the couch. The dust in this analogy is the chronic inflammation or stress and it hangs around in the body indefinitely. Over time it can even build up and create automatic stress-like responses when you aren’t even being stressed!

CBD & sleep

This build-up of chronic stress has many knock-on effects. And, in particular, in how well we can sleep. There is good evidence in sleep research that shows that many of the issues with getting a good night’s sleep is an overactive and stressed out mind. A dusty mind also makes it hard to think clearly, too.

What if we could extend the battery life of the vacuum cleaner indefinitely? This would help the body remove nearly all traces of inflammation and stress. It could help clear the mind and allow the mind to enjoy a peaceful, restful night’s sleep. CBD could be that extra battery life. It may work by blocking the enzymes in the body which would otherwise break down the anti-stress fighters (the 2-AG cannabinoids). This is the theory on CBD and sleep anyways, and there is some good research and data to back it up.

Give CBD a try

The best way to find out if CBD could help improve your sleep is to give it a try for yourself. We offer a few pointers when it comes to purchasing CBD products online, as there are plenty of low quality products available. We recommend to only buy from reputable sellers online who can offer a lab report if you ask for it. Be sceptical of very low prices too. It usually means the CBD strength or quality is questionable. Finally, we suggest that an ideal product form for sleep is an oil tincture, as it allows for precise and variable dosing.

CBD oil dosage for sleep

On the topic of dosing, we recommend starting low and going slow. Start with a low initial dose and gradually increase it until you find the level that works for your mind and body. This dosage calculator can assist you in varying the dose throughout the trial. Be sure to give CBD a chance to work, too. Use it daily for at least 3 to 4 weeks so to form a consistent habit. It also allows the CBD to build up in the body.

Some of the best selling CBD brands are available on GreenBox today. from Vitality CBD oil to Love Hemp oil for your staple CBD needs. All the way to more niche players such as Gibson’s Goodology. They might just have the perfect evening CBD drink with your dinner.

CBD overall is a new and exciting plant extract, and it does deserve much of the hype surrounding it. It helps people all over the world with a number of mind and body health issues. However, as we said at the beginning, it’s not a cure-all. And there is plenty of poor quality product out there. Find a good brand and give it a go. It could be the natural solution to your restless nights that you’ve been looking for.