CBD for Sleep

Sleep is vital to a happy life.

Unfortunately for insomniacs, knowing that doesn’t make it any easier to fall asleep.

Between the constant fatigue and the hopeless feeling of another night lost, insomnia can be one of the most lonely and isolating feelings in the world. Fortunately, recent clinical research suggests that CBD can help break the pattern of sleepless nights and get you back to the rest you deserve.

What are the Different Types of Insomnia?

There are two main ways to categorize insomnia: short-term and chronic. These are pretty much what you expect them to be; short-term insomnia is brief and usually linked to a stressful event in someone’s life that keeps them awake at night. Chronic insomnia lasts three months or longer and involves a consistent inability to sleep that isn’t tied to that person’s life events.

These two terms aren’t entirely comprehensive, though. Several other types of insomnia describe how people stay awake rather than how long their insomnia symptoms last. For example, sleep maintenance insomnia keeps people from sleeping through the night, while sleep onset insomnia keeps them from falling asleep in the first place. There’s also early morning awakening insomnia (which is pretty much what you think it is), mixed insomnia (a combination of those three), and comorbid insomnia (insomnia accused by another condition).

Other sleep disorders can also induce chronic sleep deprivation, including sleep apnea, narcolepsy, REM sleep behavior disorder, restless leg syndrome, and more.

What Causes Insomnia?

The causes of insomnia can be as varied as the types of insomnia themselves. Short-term insomnia is usually caused by outside stress, so getting rid of that stress automatically alleviates symptoms.

On the other hand, chronic insomnia can be caused by just about anything. Unhealthy lifestyle habits, chronic pain, and shift work can be more obvious causes, though hormone fluctuations, medications, disease, mental health issues, and genetics can also play large roles.

Certain demographics are also more predisposed to developing insomnia. For instance, women (particularly pregnant women) are more likely to develop insomnia than men. People over 60 are also more likely to suffer from insomnia because they are more likely to have medical conditions or chronic pains that impair sleep.

Related: Best CBD for the Active Elderly

The Effects of Insomnia

Though scientists still aren’t sure exactly why we sleep, it’s clear to any healthcare professional that sleep is critical. In the short term, sleep deprivation produces all the symptoms we’re familiar with—like irritability, fatigue, and memory/concentration problems.

Over the long term, though, these effects get significantly worse. Sleep deprivation puts you at a dramatically higher risk of obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and mental health disorders while also worsening your immune system and decreasing the effectiveness of your vaccines. It also worsens your short and long-term memory, creativity, and problem-solving skills. And, as if all that wasn’t enough, it also lowers your mood and sex drive.

How CBD Works

As overwhelming and scary as the effects of sleep deprivation are, don’t get too stressed out just yet. As it turns out, CBD may be able to help you sleep longer and more consistently, preventing these effects in the first place.

How?

CBD creates its signature anti-inflammatory, relaxing effects by activating the endocannabinoid system. As a cannabinoid (a chemical found in cannabis), CBD binds to receptors on the endocannabinoid system, which influences things like mood, sleep, stress, metabolism, and inflammation. And, with low levels of THC, CBD can influence all these factors without creating the high associated with smoking marijuana.

Related: Full Spectrum vs. Broad Spectrum CBD

CBD’s Influence on Sleep

Since the endocannabinoid system plays a role in our sleep and relaxation, CBD can improve both short and long-term insomnia.

Naturally, CBD’s relaxing effects can ease the symptoms of short-term insomniacs. In fact, patients in clinical studies on CBD and sleep have reported falling asleep quicker, sleeping through the night, and feeling more rested after taking a CBD.

More surprisingly, however, it’s also been shown to improve more serious sleeping conditions. Early clinical research on CBD and sleep has shown that CBD can improve symptoms in patients dealing with REM sleep behavior disorder, excessive daytime sleepiness disorder, and general insomnia.

Ready to see how CBD can transform your sleep? Discover our range of organic CBD products today.

What to look for in CBD for Sleep

Don’t know where to start on your CBD journey? Don’t worry; sticking to these three rules will help you find the perfect CBD product for your insomnia.

Third-Party Testing

Anyone can slap a label on a bottle of oil and call it CBD. And, because of the lack of regulation in the industry, nothing is stopping them from selling it to you.

To avoid getting low-quality or contaminated CBD, always check that your CBD products are third-party tested. Third-party testing means that a product sample was sent to a certified, independent lab for testing, and you can confirm that you’re getting what you pay for by checking these tests.

On the other hand, if a company doesn’t clarify whether their products are third-party tested, it’s a good sign that you should stay away.

No Interactions with Medications

If you struggle with chronic or comorbid insomnia, there’s a chance you’re taking multiple medications for your condition. To make sure your medications continue to work, check for any interactions between those drugs and CBD before deciding to start CBD.

Organic Hemp Ingredients

Hemp is a uniquely sensitive plant, and if there are impurities in any of its air or soil, it’s bound to soak them up. So, if a hemp farmer uses contaminated soil or sprays their crops with toxic pesticides, those things will make it straight into your product.

To avoid these nefarious actors, stick to CBD manufacturers that use organically grown hemp. This ensures that the hemp’s soil is regularly tested and pesticide use is severely limited (if used at all).

Related: CBD Dosage: Directions & When to Take It

Our Top CBD Sleep Aid

If you’re looking to get your sleep back on track, check out Bordertown Farm’s selection of CBD oils, gel caps, and creams. Our family-owned hemp farm produces the high-quality, entirely organic hemp used in our products, and we’ve even taken the extra step of sending our products to a third-party lab. With our commitment to great CBD, you can rest a little easier knowing you’re in good hands.

Looking for carefully-cultivated, high-quality CBD to reduce your insomnia symptoms? Discover Bordertown Farm’s products today.