Is CBD the magic sleeping pill?

Want to take an all-natural, magical sleeping pill? Many people claim that CBD is the answer. CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of the active ingredients found in marijuana and hemp plants. It has been used to treat various conditions, including insomnia, anxiety, and chronic pain. But is CBD a cure-all for sleep problems?

Our bodies have an endocannabinoid system that produces molecules similar to CBD. These molecules help keep our bodies balanced. Because CBD can potentially interact with this system, many assume it helps improve sleep. However, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) hasn’t approved CBD for these uses, so manufacturers can't legally claim it cures insomnia.

Before you decide if CBD is worth the try, consider other factors affecting your sleep. Getting to the root cause of your insomnia is vital to finding lasting relief. Join us as we dive into the question: Is CBD truly the magic sleeping pill?

What Is CBD?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a natural compound found in marijuana and hemp plants. It’s one of over 100 cannabinoids in these plants. People have used CBD for various health benefits, such as relieving pain and reducing anxiety.

Our bodies have an endocannabinoid system that produces molecules similar to CBD. These molecules help balance our bodies, regulating sleep, mood, and pain. CBD interacts with this system, binding to cell receptors to support these functions.

CBD can take several forms, including oils, capsules, gummies, and creams. There are even CBD-infused drinks and foods. This variety makes it easy to find a product that fits your lifestyle.

How Does CBD Help With Sleep?

According to the American Sleep Association (ASA), “some research indicates that the cannabinoid CBD may interact with specific receptors, potentially affecting the sleep/wake cycle.” Also, CBD may help with conditions like anxiety, chronic pain and restless legs that affect sleep."

The interactions might help regulate your sleep-wake cycle. If your sleep trouble is due to issues like anxiety or chronic pain, CBD could indirectly help by easing these problems.

Many people report that CBD helps them feel calmer, making it easier to fall asleep. Some studies suggest CBD can lengthen deep sleep phases, improving sleep quality. Deeper sleep helps your body recover and maintain good health.

CBD may also help reduce symptoms of restless legs syndrome, which can make it hard to sleep. By calming these symptoms, CBD could make getting a good night’s rest easier. However, remember that individual responses to CBD can vary, so it might not work the same for everyone.

The Research on CBD and Sleep

A few studies have been done on CBD and sleep with promising results. One study published in the journal Medicines had 409 participants who averaged 6.6 out of 10 for insomnia symptoms. After 2 years of taking the cannabis flower (not isolated CBD), the average score of insomnia symptoms was 2.2, a significant decrease.

Another study at the University of Colorado involved 72 participants who had anxiety and poor sleep. After a month of taking CBD capsules, 79% had improved anxiety and 66% had increased sleep scores although the sleep scores fluctuated over time.

Because there have only been a few studies on CBD products and sleep, I agree with the ASA that “though there is plenty of supporting evidence that shows CBD and cannabinoids can improve sleep quality, the results are not conclusive and more research needs to be done.”

My CBD experiment

When I wasn’t sleeping well, I tried every supplement on the market to help me sleep. Herbs, homeopathics, amino acids, CBD. You name it, I tried it. Everything except over-the-counter and prescription sleep aids because that’s not my MO.

Nothing really helped. And now I know why. Because I wasn’t getting to the root cause of my insomnia. I needed to make lifestyle changes and get rid of a parasite.

My opinion about CBD

This is what I think about all these supplements: they will help if that’s the substance that your body is missing. Melatonin will help if your body isn’t producing enough melatonin. (Although I suggest supporting your body’s melatonin production instead of supplementing.) Magnesium will help if the only reason you aren’t sleeping is because you’re deficient in magnesium. Same with CBD; if you’re lacking cannabinoids, CBD will help.

But if you body isn’t lacking those nutrients, those supplements aren’t going to help. That’s why there’s no magic pill for a good night's sleep that works for everyone.

If you aren’t sleeping, that means your body is out of balance and it’s manifesting as insomnia. Finding out how to get your body back in balance is key. But it usually requires more than one lone supplement.

Even if you need CBD, if you have an unhealthy gut that isn’t producing its own cannabinoids and you have a gut infection that is destroying your gut, then all the CBD in the world isn’t going to help. You have to start with treating the gut infection and then repairing the gut. Only then will your body be able to fully use a CBD supplement or even better, make its own endocannabinoids.

I think CBD can help certain people with certain conditions. But labeling CBD a wonder drug that cures everything, as many proponents claim, is going too far.

Of course, it can’t hurt to try. When I wasn’t sleeping, I was willing to try anything that could help.

But if you’ve already tried all the supplements like I did and nothing is working, something else is going on.

I do have encouraging news: you are meant to sleep well.

Conclusion

CBD has potential as a sleep aid, but it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. While some studies show positive results, more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness for everyone. 

Balancing your overall health is crucial for good sleep. Instead of relying on a single supplement, address the root causes of your sleep issues. This approach often yields better and more lasting results.

If you’re struggling with sleep, it’s time to take action. At The Sleep Detective, we specialize in finding the root causes of insomnia using functional lab testing. Let us help you find and fix the root cause of your insomnia without meds.