Could CBD Help You Sleep Better?

“CBD” is a popular buzzword among holistic health enthusiasts. Many people believe that it can help with a broad range of ailments, including sleep problems, while others tend to shy away because it is derived from marijuana. But what is the truth about this compound? Can CBD help with sleep in Melbourne? Let’s take a look at some relevant research.

What Is CBD?

The cannabis plant, also known as marijuana, has a few active compounds in it, among which THC and CBD are the most well-known. THC is psychoactive and is responsible for making people feel high. CBD, on the other hand, is not psychoactive. It is legally sold in various forms at countless shops across the country.

CBD and Sleep

Anxiety is a common culprit behind poor sleep; people with anxious thoughts may lie awake at night for hours at a time. One study found that 80% of participants who used CBD as an anxiety treatment experienced a degree of relief from their anxiety within one month, and 65% reported improvements in their sleep. These remarkable results may stem from the fact that CBD has a calming effect on the nervous system and can help to boost serotonin (a hormone that supports feelings of happiness and well-being).

CBD also shows promise as a treatment for REM sleep behavior disorder, a condition that causes a patient to move and verbalize aggressively while they are in the REM stage of sleep. A small-scale study found that patients who took CBD experienced a significant reduction in their symptoms.

What if you have another sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea in Melbourne? CBD might help you fall asleep faster, but there is nothing to indicate that it can help you breathe better at night. If you choose to use CBD, it would be best to use it alongside of, rather than as a replacement for, your doctor-provided sleep apnea treatment.

Using CBD

If you are interested in trying CBD, it’s important that you do a bit of research first. Be sure you purchase it from a trustworthy vendor. You also have to decide how you want to take it. CBD products come in countless forms. It can be baked into foods, applied topically, or swallowed as a capsule. Many patients have found that placing a few drops of CBD oil under the tongue is one of the easiest and most effective ways to use it as a sleep aid.

Keep in mind as well that although most people tolerate CBD well, it can have some mild side effects. It can also interact with certain medications, so it would be wise to consult with your doctor before you try it.

CBD may not cure all of your sleep problems, but it does have potential to facilitate higher-quality rest.  Properly used, it might be just what you need to get the shuteye you deserve.

Meet Your Local Sleep Expert

Dr. Kenneth Mogell is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine. He focuses on helping patients find relief from sleep apnea via oral appliance therapy. If you suspect that you have a sleep disorder, he would be pleased to consult with you. Contact our Melbourne office at 321-313-5350.