CBD has become more popular in recent times as it has been proven helpful in relieving pain, curing seizures, and even aiding sleep. A lot of research is still ongoing on CBD and its benefits for insomnia. So far, the results are positive. One research undertaken by the National Institutes of Health revealed that administering 160 mg of CBD to participants helped them sleep better than the others who took a placebo. This article will explain how to use CBD for better sleep.
How CBD Helps You Sleep
CBD blocks the stress response that originates in the brain. It activates the adenosine receptor in the endocannabinoid system. This controls the body’s response to stress. When the brain senses something that could cause harm, the amygdala sends a signal to the hypothalamus and this signals the adrenals alongside other parts of the body. Adrenaline is released into the body and this makes the heartbeat rate increase. Also, organs and muscles receive more oxygen and blood. The brain also receives oxygen and sends glucose, and fat into the bloodstream.
If a person has a low level or chronic stress, sleeping becomes a chore as the condition prepares them for fight or flight instead of sleep. CBD comes in by shutting off or reducing the HPA stress response.
How to Use CBD
It isn’t surprising that CBD helps you sleep faster for longer for a more restful sleep. It has been proven to be beneficial in treating anxiety, joint pain, depression, COPD, heart disease, diabetes, and substance abuse.
CBD comes in doses and sizes so you need to understand how it works to find a dose that works for you. Larger sizes do not mean larger doses of CBD. the milligram per serving has to be considered first.
Also, the amount you should take depends on so many different factors. Some include sex, age, the reason for taking it, product quality, and metabolic rare. The metabolic rate is basically how fast your body metabolizes compounds. If you intend to take CBD for serious insomnia, you may need a higher dose or take CBD with melatonin. Be sure to talk to your doctor first before starting especially if you have a preexisting medical condition. This is because CBD may interact with drugs you’re taking. A doctor will clear you to go ahead.
How to Calculate the Dosage If There Is No Label Information
Gummies and capsules often state how many milligrams of CBD are contained in each serving. With sprays and oils, there may be some confusion about how much CBD is contained in each spray or drop. In this case, you may have to do some math. For instance, each drop is around .05 ml. In a 10 ml bottle, there are 200 drops. If a bottle contains 500 mg then you should divide the bottle size by the number of drops to get 2.5 mg per drop. This should be 500 mg divided by 200 drops. This means that 25 mg of CBD gives you ten drops.
It is good to start slow and you can take a smaller dosage to ensure that it doesn’t give you any negative reaction. However, CBD is generally safe, but few users have reported changes in appetite, diarrhea, and fatigue.
You may also need to take records of how much you have taken and the effect it provided. If you do not feel the effect, then you can increase the dosage. Here are a few things to do to improve your sleep:
- be sure to track how long it took before you slept off;
- how long you slept;
- how many times you were disturbed or woke in the night;
- how you felt in the morning.
The Best Way to Take CBD
CBD for sleep comes in different forms from capsules to sprays and tinctures. Some can even be used in lotions, creams, or as candy, or a vape. To know exactly how much you’re taking, the gummy or capsule is the best option. The bottle tells you how much CBD is contained in each capsule. For tinctures, it may be more difficult to get the proper dose. Capsules do not have a taste while tinctures have a taste and it isn’t exactly great in the mouth.
The quickest way to feel it is to use a spray or tincture. It is placed under the tongue so it can be absorbed by the mouth’s mucous membranes for 60 to 90 seconds. Most of the users have reported that they felt the effect around 20 minutes. In capsule form or liquid, it passes through the body’s digestive system to be metabolized by the liver. This means it will take around two hours to take effect. Topical CBD is better for people dealing with chronic pain.
Speed is not the most important consideration when choosing the best way to take CBD. Taking it as a drink or smoothie works well for some people and is very convenient. However, others prefer a capsule. Whichever one you choose, there may be a need to time it to get the best effect. For those who want to sleep better, it is a good idea to take the capsule a few hours before bed. For the tincture, you can take it 20 minutes before bed.
Just like other oils, CBD breaks down when it is exposed to oxygen, heat, or even light. Therefore, many CBD products are stored in colored or dark brown containers. In the same vein, you should store your CBD products in dark and cool places. A great option is your refrigerator. Ensuring that your CBD products are protected from sunlight, heat or oxygen will help it to last for close to a year.
Conclusion
CBD helps in treating anxiety as well as insomnia, so this makes it a good supplement for sleeplessness. Be sure to understand the proper dosage especially when the bottle doesn’t offer prescription on how to use. If you are new to CBD, it would be wise to start with smaller doses first and see the reaction to determine if you need to increase your dosage. Also, if you have preexisting conditions, you should see a doctor before taking CBD for sleep.