The cannabis plant has a long history as a recreational and medicinal substance. As more and more states around the US legalize cannabis, explore its potential medicinal and recreational applications, or ease up on dated misconceptions about the plant, cannabis is seeing a massive rise in popularity. The cannabis plant itself possesses chemical compounds commonly known as cannabinoids that are responsible for affecting the brain and body, with the two primary cannabinoids being tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). These cannabinoids affect the brain and body differently and in this article, we will explore CBD in more detail, assess the question of whether or not CBD makes you sleepy, and determine if it can be used as an effective sleep aid.
What Is CBD?
CBD is a chemical compound, or cannabinoid, found in the hemp plant that indirectly impacts receptors that send information around the body. The information is sent between cells found within the body’s nervous, immune, and circulatory systems for the purpose of maintaining biological processes, and it is the intervention in this process caused by the CBD that may result in its proposed health benefits. According to studies, CBD enhances anandamide signaling in the body by attaching to receptors of the endocannabinoid. This process is suggested to reduce psychotic symptoms. This is just one example of how the attachment of CBD to receptors within the body may alleviate certain health conditions and support overall wellbeing.
The Difference Between CBD And THC
Contrary to popular belief, CBD and THC are both psychoactive cannabinoids. That said, while their chemical formulas remain the same, the arrangements of their atoms differ and this difference is responsible for affecting the body differently. What the mainstream media has mostly gotten wrong about the differences is purely in the ambiguity of the term psychoactive. While both are psychoactive, it is true that THC is responsible for impairing the brain and generating a ‘high’ feeling whereas CBD does not affect the brain in this intoxicating way but rather supports the body’s endocannabinoid system which in turn promotes wellbeing.
Does CBD Make You Sleepy?
A common question that comes up when one talks about CBD is, does it make you sleep? This is because CBD is believed to act adversely to its THC counterpart which may induce feelings of euphoria and boost energy levels. And, the belief is quickly becoming more of a reality as studies showcase its sleep-supporting benefits. In an investigation, scientists found that a CBD dosage of 160 milligrams increased the sleep duration of test subjects in comparison to those who received a placebo. This supports the notion that CBD does make you sleepy, albeit each individual’s reaction may be completely unique.
Can CBD Work As An Effective Sleep Aid?
So, if studies suggest that CBD does in fact make you sleepy then can it be used as an effective sleep aid? More and more studies conducted each year are showcasing the benefits of CBD as a sleep aid, specifically in its ability to combat common precursors of sleep deprivation. For example, the stress hormone cortisol is found at high levels in people suffering from insomnia at night. Additionally, elevated levels of cortisol at night are associated with disturbances in sleep patterns. CBD studies have shown that cortisol levels decreased in patients who received between 300 and 600 mg of CBD. This may support the use of CBD as a sleep aid. Anxiety is a common contributor to lack of sleep and the use of CBD in these same studies suggests that the majority of participants who received dosages of 25 mg noticed an improvement in their quality of sleep. While the results dropped off slightly over the following few months, these reports do support the claim that CBD can be used as a sleep aid.
Other Effects of CBD
Beyond its potential ability to support sleep, CBD is said to offer several other benefits which we have outlined below:
- CBD may reduce anxiety.
- CBD has been shown in some studies to alleviate psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia.
- It may treat or prevent chronic pain.
- Cannabidiol may reduce feelings of depression.
- CBD may address spasticity in people with multiple sclerosis when combined in a formula with THC.
The Bottom Line About CBD As A Sleep Aid
To sum things up, CBD differs from THC in that it does not induce what is known as a ‘high’ feeling. The CBD cannabinoid is responsible for affecting the body in completely different ways, typically impacting endocannabinoid receptors. By doing so, studies have proven that CBD does in fact affect one’s sleep cycle through both reducing cortisol levels and combatting anxiety. While the studies are not conclusive at this time, more and more reports of patients experiencing better quality sleep with doses of CBD provide strong support in answering the question: does CBD make you sleepy and is it an effective sleep aid?