The Pros and Cons of CBD Oil for Sleep

Most people experience problems with sleep at some point in their lives. Around 16 million adults, which is approximately one-third of people in the UK, suffer sleepless nights. Has it happened to you, too? 

While research on the efficacy of CBD oil for sleep is still limited, people are exploring CBD as a remedy for sleep disorders. 

If you’re considering joining in on the trend, it’s crucial to weigh up the pros and cons of taking CBD oil for sleep so you can make an informed decision. 

To help you find the right solution for your sleep woes, let’s explore the pros and cons of using CBD oil for sleep and some important factors to consider before trying it out.

What does CBD Oil do?

CBD (cannabidiol) oil is a natural extract derived from the hemp plant. This product is THC-free and does not have psychoactive properties that cause the “high” associated with cannabis.

At Prym Health, we recommend using CBD oil for its potential therapeutic benefits, which include reducing pain, anxiety, improved sleep quality, and depression, among other benefits.

In fact, CBD oil has been approved as a treatment for epilepsy and seizures. Other people are using CBD for flight anxiety with tremendous results. Dentists have also found great results when using CBD to manage tooth pain. 

How does CBD Oil help with sleep?

CBD oil interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which regulates physiological processes such as sleep.

To put this into perspective, when CBD oil is ingested into the body, it interacts with the ECS to promote the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood and sleep.

CBD oil also has anti-inflammatory properties that help alleviate pain and discomfort, which can help you fall and stay asleep. A 2018 study revealed that CBD is effective in the general management of pain. The study specifically studied how CBD helps with pain for cancer, fibromyalgia, and neuropathy. 

Anxiety and stress are also well-known culprits that can have a huge impact on your quality of sleep. When you take CBD oil, it helps you relieve stress and anxiety, which promotes the quality and quantity of your sleep.

A 2011 experiment showed that CBD oil is highly effective in treating anxiety. During the trial, some patients were given CBD oil, while some were given a placebo. All the patients were then gathered for public speaking. Those who took CBD showed no signs of anxiety while speaking in public. Which speaks for itself!

Will CBD Oil make me drowsy?

As CBD oil can potentially improve your sleep quality, it has relaxing properties which may lead to mild drowsiness as a side effect. This is more likely to happen if it’s your first time taking CBD products, or if you’ve been struggling from a lack of sleep due to pain, stress or anxiety that is relieved from taking CBD.

However, if your body is already used to CBD, you should not feel drowsy unless you take more than the recommended daily dose, which we do not recommend.

When is the best time to take CBD Oil for sleep?

We recommend taking CBD oil for sleep at least one-to-two hours before bedtime to ensure you’re suitably relaxed and ready for sleep.

However, different individuals have different reaction rates. For some, we’ve observed that CBD oil is effective after 20 minutes, and for others even longer.

You will also find that different doses of CBD oil are likely to produce different benefits. So ensure you take the recommended dosage for your specific CBD oil strength and the brand you have purchased it from.

How to use CBD Oil for sleep

Your CBD oil bottle should come with a pipette for you to administer the oil correctly.

Fill the pipette with the desired dosage, squeeze the dropper under your tongue, and hold it there for 90 seconds before swallowing.

This gives the oil enough time to absorb into your bloodstream, giving it the quickest and strongest chance of effectiveness.

If you’re new to using CBD oil for sleep or CBD products in general, we advise you to start with a low dosage and strength which you can gradually increase it over time.

It is important to note that CBD should not replace traditional medications or therapy for long-term insomnia or other sleep disorders. So before using CBD oil for sleep in these instances, we recommend you consult your GP or pharmacist for professional guidance.

How to choose the best CBD Oil for sleep

At Prym Health, we offer our CBD oil drops in two strengths: 600mg and 1200mg. 

We recommend you start with the lowest dose of our 600mg CBD Oil Drops and work your way up through the recommended doses and strengths to find the right one for you.

If you find the low dosage isn’t as effective in time, or you’ve exceeded the recommended doses and aren’t having the desired effects, you can try our 1200mg CBD Oil Drops, which is a stronger dose.

Rounding up the pros and cons of CBD Oil for sleep

Although research is ongoing, CBD oil for sleep has proven effective among studies and patients who have explored its benefits. 

We’ll break down the pros and cons of CBD oil for sleep below to help you make a quick, easy and informed decision.

Pros

• CBD oil can improve sleep quality and duration, leading to better overall health.
• It may help reduce symptoms of anxiety and stress, which can contribute to sleep problems.
• CBD oil is generally considered safe and has few side effects, unlike many prescription sleep medications.

Cons

• CBD oil can interact with other medications.
• Some CBD oil companies may mislabel or misrepresent their products.
• Some people experience slight allergies to various terpenes or MCT oil – the carrier oil derived from coconuts. 

Before deciding to start using CBD products, we recommend you consult your GP. Depending on how critical your sleep condition is, they can advise you on strengths to try and if any other medication may be affected by taking CBD oil for sleep.

If you’re ready to try the best CBD oil for sleep, at Prym Health our lab-tested CBD Oils are available in 600mg and 1200mg so you can find the best dose to get a better night’s sleep.