CBD Oil for Sleep: Everything You Need to Know

Main image courtesy of American Sleep Association.

Ensuring you get enough sleep at night is a crucial part of enjoying a healthy lifestyle. However, many people find that they struggle to get the necessary eight or more restful hours of sleep each night. Around 68% of American adults report having a hard time falling (or staying) asleep at least once a week. While there are a variety of different reasons for the lack of sleep, there are things you can do to help your body and mind prepare to wind down and relax before bedtime in order to achieve better sleep results. 

One way you can help yourself get a good night’s rest is by including CBD oil into your nighttime routine. If you’d like to learn a little more about how CBD can help with sleep, you’ve come to the right spot because here we’re going to discuss:

• Why would you use CBD oil for sleep?
• How to take CBD oil for sleep
• Is CBD oil effective for sleepless nights?
• How much CBD oil should you take for sleep?

Why Use CBD Oil for Sleep?

How can CBD oil be used to help you get better sleep?

CBD oil is a naturally occurring cannabinoid found in the hemp plant, which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. If you use a CBD topical, it works at the site of your muscle or joint pain to decrease inflammation and relieve pain. When you ingest CBD, it works with your body’s own endocannabinoid system--which regulates body functions such as mood, appetite, and sleep--to help decrease its inflammatory response and decrease pain. CBD is also known to have calming effects when taken, and can help relax your mind and reduce anxiety. It does this all naturally and works with your body, allowing you to find relief from problems without the use of over the counter or prescription medication. 

But did you know that CBD may also be able to help you get better sleep at night? Because CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, it can prove to be helpful to your sleep/wake cycle if you’re having trouble sleeping. It may also influence the release of the hormone cortisol (the stress hormone) that can cause people to stay awake at night. Because our days can be stressful, when we don’t take the time to wind down before bed, elevated cortisol levels can make it hard to fall asleep and stay asleep. CBD oil used before bed can also help to reduce the occurrence and severity of both pain and anxiety, which are two of the most common reasons you may struggle to fall asleep. Including a CBD oil product in your nightly routine may be just what you need in order to get more restful sleep, so you can wake up refreshed.

How Can You Take CBD Oil for Sleep?

Best ways to take CBD oil to help you sleep

There are a variety of ways you can include CBD oil into your nightly wind routine in order to get better sleep. We recommend trying out a couple of products to see which ones work with your body the best and give you the results you’re looking for. Because CBD oil affects everyone differently, you’ll need to make sure you’re consistent with taking it before bed and allowing the product to work with your endocannabinoid system.

Ingestible

A CBD oil product that is an ingestible can either be administered sublingually (like Seventh Sense’s Unflavored CBD tincture oil) or go through the digestive system such as a CBD gummy or mint. CBD tinctures are a great way to get the CBD into your system quickly, since they are put under the tongue and absorbed into your bloodstream via the mucous membranes. When taken before bed they can quickly go to work calming your mind and easing any feelings of anxiety that might keep you awake. CBD tinctures also can work to lessen any pain you have that is interfering with your good night’s sleep.

If you choose to take an ingestible such as a gummy or a mint, make sure to do this at least a half hour before you plan to be in bed, as they need to travel through the digestive system first before they reach your bloodstream. The CBD oil in a mint or gummy is a convenient way to wind down, and they both come in a variety of delicious flavors.

Topical

You can also choose to use CBD creams or balms topically to help with sleep. If you’re dealing with a painful muscle or joint prior to bed, rubbing in a CBD topical is a great way to find relief, allowing you to fall asleep without pain. There are many CBD topicals that are specifically designed for bedtime use, such as Seventh Sense’s Get Cozy CBD Warming Body Cream which is made with 150mg of CBD and is specially formulated to be a part of your nightly routine. This topical also includes melatonin, which can also help your body relax and fall asleep. 

Another way to get the relaxing and calming properties of CBD into your body before bed is to take a relaxing bath with a CBD bath bomb. Once placed in the warm water, the CBD oil included in the bath bomb will disperse and soak into your skin for an overall soothing sensation, not to mention an amazing aroma!

The calming effect of the CBD can bring relief to any discomfort, and help you prepare for sleep. When you don’t have to deal with pain or anxiety before bed, you have a much better chance of getting restful sleep!

Regardless if you choose to use an ingestible or a topical (or both!), make sure to start low and go slow. See if a small amount of a CBD product will do the trick before moving on to a stronger concentration or additional doses of CBD. This will give you the opportunity to see how CBD works with your body.

Is Taking CBD Oil for Sleep Effective?

Will you see results taking CBD oil for sleep?

As we mentioned earlier, there are many reasons why you may be struggling to find restful sleep. If pain or anxiety keeps you awake, then CBD oil is a good way to help alleviate those issues. Because CBD works differently for everyone, in order to see the results you want, you’ll need to ensure you find a product that works for you, and be sure that you’re taking it consistently. Experiment with a couple of consumption methods--whether sublingual drops, gummies, or a CBD cream--and determine what helps you get comfortable and relaxed. 

If after a few sessions you find that you’re still having issues falling asleep, you can either increase the dose of CBD you’re taking before bed and continue with your routine, or add another method to see if your issue subsides. 

How Much CBD Oil Should You Take for Sleep?

What’s the right dose of CBD oil to take before bed?

Because everyone’s body reacts differently to CBD, there is no “one size fits all” approach to the right amount to take for sleep--what works for one person, might not work for someone else. We recommend starting low and going slow--no matter what method of consumption you choose--when it comes to finding the right CBD dose for your body. If you decide to use an ingestible such as a tincture, mint, or a gummy, just make sure you take it at least 30 minutes before bed. CBD drops can be administered when you’re ready to drift off to sleep, as well as CBD topicals.

CBD oil could be what’s missing from your nightly routine if you’re finding sleep elusive. Whether you choose to use an ingestible or a topical, CBD can help you get into a more restful sleep cycle!