A lot of people suffer from sleep disorders and are searching for effective remedies. The use of melatonin has been supported by scientists for years to treat various sleep disorders. However, over the last couple of years, CBD has gained a lot of traction as a potential remedy for the same issues and a lot of users combine them together. But what if mixing CBD with melatonin has dangerous side effects? In this article, we provide you with reliable information on this matter.
Interaction between CBD and Melatonin
While both the substances are used to promote sleep, melatonin and CBD work in completely different ways.
How Does Melatonin Work?
Melatonin is a hormone that helps in regulating your natural sleep-wake cycle and circadian rhythm. Contrary to other vitamins and supplements, our body treats melatonin from external sources as if it were produced internally. Therefore, it does not break it down and converts into other substances; instead, our body metabolizes melatonin immediately. (1)
During the day, there is a low level of melatonin in your body, while cortisol hormones are at work, which keeps you awake. However, as night approaches, the level of melatonin in the system begins to increase, thereby inducing sleep. Therefore, taking melatonin supplements before sleep boosts the amount of melatonin in your system and stimulates deeper sleep.
How Does CBD Work?
CBD, on the other hand, promotes sleep by lowering the level of cortisol. These hormones naturally drop during the night; however, if you are stressed, their level remains high, making it challenging for you to sleep.
CBD has shown to decrease the cortisol (2) and the stress that restricts you from getting uninterrupted sleep. Considering that it works to help with your anxiety, the overall level of stress tends to remain low, promoting more relaxed sleep throughout the night.
So using these two powerful ingredients together can help you to combat insomnia effectively. Melatonin and CBD both act on different systems of the body, thereby providing more potent results.
CBD with Melatonin Side Effects
Presently, there is no evident report with regard to the side effects associated with the usage of melatonin and CBD together. Individually, the right usage of both substances is considered quite safe.
However, constant usage of melatonin can result in decreased effectiveness. Therefore, melatonin is considered best for a short period of time. Limited use of melatonin can regulate the sleep-wake cycle in a more effective way. (3)
CBD leverages its cumulative effects. Its continuous use promotes balance in your hormones. And over the course of time, you will find less need to rely on CBD as the body will naturally adjust to the lower levels of cortisol.
How to Use Them Safely
Similar to any other medicine, getting the right dosage is an imperative aspect. Here is how you should mix the usage of CBD and melatonin.
Melatonin Dosage
Initially, you should keep the dosage of melatonin between 0.3 to 0.5 mg. This quantity is perfect, especially when you are trying to control the circadian rhythm. Generally, commercially acquired melatonin comes in 1-mg tablets, but you can cut it in half. Patients with serious symptoms may need to take a higher dosage, somewhere between 3 and 5 mg.
CBD Dosage
An adult can start by consuming as low as 10-mg of CBD. It is better to start with a low dosage and gradually increase the level. In a normal dosage, you need 0.25 mg for every 1 pound, whereas, for a stronger dosage, you would need 0.5 mg per 1 pound of your body weight.
You should start with the low dosage and see how your body reacts to it and then adjust the dosage accordingly.
While CBD and melatonin act on different parts of the body, they are complementary. Melatonin informs your body that it is time to sleep, whereas CBD alerts the brain to leverage relevant neurotransmitters to help you fall asleep. The latter also addresses the underlying issues that result in sleep disorder, thereby offering an enduring effect.