We cannot underestimate the importance of good sleep. And not just one night to catch up is required, but a consistent daily routine. It helps our mind function, kick starts the day, improves our overall well-being and mental health. It also assists the body by allowing us to fight off diseases.
As well as unwinding at the same time each night, there are other ways to help you drift off to sleep. Food supplements such as CBD have been suggested to help those struggling to sleep.
It’s important to calm the mind and allow yourself to switch off. However, it’s not always that simple. If you regularly have problems sleeping, it’s classed as ‘insomnia’ and can be linked to stress, unhealthy eating, caffeine before bed and any other number of reasons. So, can CBD, an emerging trend that’s in such high demand, be beneficial?
Sleep and the Endocannabinoid System
Sleep is one part of the bigger picture, which is scientifically known as the Endocannabinoid system. To help prevent insomnia and get a good night's rest, doctors recommend no bright technology screens before bed (tv and mobile phones), keeping the same sleeping schedule, taking a bath one hour before bed and reading a book. These all help, but the issue is much deeper than that, as more scientific studies are beginning to deep dive into the link between sleep and the Endocannabinoid system.
The Endocannabinoid system is in its early research stages, but the term refers to the bind in our human body and mind between the central nervous system (including the brain), peripheral nervous system, cannabinoid receptors and Endocannabinoids. In simple terms, it’s the body and mind interconnecting and receiving signals as one.
So how can this be linked to sleep and the difference between good rest and an insomniac? Because initial studies show the Endocannabinoid system could be playing a major role in factors such as stress levels, pain, emotions, anxiety and many more.
Can CBD Affect the Endocannabinoid System?
As we know at the time of writing, CBD, known as Cannabidiol scientifically is a chemical compound found in the Cannabis plant. It does not contain high levels of THC, known as Tetrahydrocannabinol, which causes the ‘high’ often linked to the illegal Class B drug in the UK. Legally,CBD oils, CBD e-liquids to vape and any other types of CBD products, which are classed as food supplements and facing more regulations each year, should contain no more than 0.2% THC. It's reported based on initial medical studies that CBD doesn't bind with key receptors CB1 (central nervous system) and CBD2 (peripheral nervous system) as THC does.
Because there are limited clinical trials and studies for CBD products so far, it’s a challenge to get a clear picture but from research, it looks like Endocannabinoids do not break down as easily when a person is taking CBD. This might be why we’re seeing more people purchasing the product after seeing positive comments that it may work with the Endocannabinoid System to assist those suffering from pain, lack of sleep or anxiety.
How Much of a Contributing Factor Is Anxiety on Our Sleep?
We all know after the Covid-19 pandemic, inflation is at new highs in the UK and high unemployment rates highlight how stressful life has been the past few years.
It’s only natural situations like this and daily distractions such as social media and work negatively impact our sleep patterns. Our CB1 and CB2 receptors are on high alert.
If CBD does deflect the receptors to not think of pain before we fall asleep, or calm our internal system in anticipation of a crazy next day at the office, then the studies into CBD products and their benefits or limitations will only continue and be much wider studies.
Would CBD Help to Improve Sleep?
The Endocannabinoid System as we’ve discussed so far helps to regulate the body and adapt to changes. People can have issues with how their body regulates from trauma, sports injuries, high levels of anxiety, digestive problems and any other number of daily occurrences.
So, it is the initial research from CBD and plans to increase that research that will determine how much it can improve sleep, as it’s still early days. CBD was only made legal to sell in the UK in 2018 and on the market worldwide a short while before that, so the product is still the new craze everyone is talking about.
What we can see from positive reactions in the CBD community, from research and from our customers is CBD as a food supplement added to your daily routine can have a calming effect, especially before bedtime.