Can CBD help insomnia and your patients’ sleep?

Early studies are producing results regarding CBD impact on insomnia

The cannabis or CBD compound has many benefits, but research is still relatively limited in the area of sleep, and much of the current positive hype is from personal testimonials. Before you contact a cannabis retailer to explore CBD options for your practice, know the current data on its impact on sleep and insomnia.

What CBD is and is not

Cannabidiol or CBD is an ever-increasingly popular natural remedy. It’s one of 104 chemical compounds in the plant, and CBD products contain little to no THC, so they don’t produce a “high” for patients.

The Hemp Farming Act of 2018 made CBD products legal across the country as long as the oil is derived from industrial hemp sources. This momentous act has opened the doors for many retailers to offer a variety of CBD-based products for consumer use and has enticed more people to try this natural remedy.

The benefits

There are a variety of purported benefits for using CBD products. Some are still under debate, while others are supported by science. A few reasons to use CBD:

• relieves pain
• helps reduce depression and anxiety
• may help alleviate cancer-related symptoms
• reduces breakouts
• may help treat neurological diseases
• may improve cardiovascular health

Furthermore, some studies suggest that CBD may help other disorders and illnesses. But the results are inconclusive, and science needs to do more research in these areas.

Forms of CBD

The most common method for taking CBD is oil tinctures. These tinctures may be taken directly by placing a drop or two on your tongue, or you may add them to food or teas. However, some retailers sell other forms of CBD such as edibles, vaping, and topicals.

The “right” method for patients really depends on why they’re using CBD oil. Certain methods are better than others depending on how you want CBD to enter the body.

CBD products and oils are generally considered safe to use. But some people may experience side effects such as:

• fatigue
• diarrhea
• appetite changes

CBD and insomnia

Most have experienced a sleepless night or two at least once in their lives, but insomnia is another level. This common sleep disorder can appear in many ways.

Manifestations of this disorder include waking up too early and being unable to get back to sleep, or having a hard time staying asleep in the first place.

The most common type of insomnia is acute or short-term. It generally results from a traumatic event or stress, and it can last for days or weeks. More serious is chronic or long-term insomnia, which can last for a month or more and lead to other serious health problems.

Science, CBD and insomnia

Scientific research is still ongoing, but preliminary data is favorable for using CBD to treat insomnia. One study suggests that CBD may also help people who have trouble sleeping due to anxiety. Seventy-two adults participated in the study, all with a history of poor sleep or anxiety. Results were favorable after a month of taking CBD. Anxiety scores decreased by 79% and sleep scores improved by 67% for more than half of the participants. However, the results did fluctuate over time.

CBD and sleep-wake cycles

Another study suggests that CBD may positively affect sleep-wake cycles as well. Cannabis compounds interact with brain receptors, and at least one of the receptors is believed to affect the body’s sleep-wake cycle. Another receptor CBD may interact with what could be linked to anxiety.

Research on rats indicates that CBD increases sleep latency, but more research is needed to find out if it has similar effects on humans. So far, research on humans has provided mixed results and inconclusive data.

The takeaway

For patients experiencing short-term insomnia, CBD is an option. Not a cure, as the current early research isn’t conclusive, but preliminary research has generally proved positive. Keep in mind that insomnia is sometimes a symptom of another medical condition, so as a wellness DC to your patients, do not rule out underlying conditions.