If you suffer from insomnia, you already know how difficult lack of sleep can make everything feel. From having challenges with focusing to dozing off unexpectedly, insomnia has an unpleasant spectrum of side effects. Luckily, there’s CBD for that: CBD can help you relax and sleep. Finally, you’ll be able to beat insomnia. Here’s how.

Why you can’t sleep

Your sleep cycle depends on the neurotransmitters present in your brain, like serotonin, norepinephrine and melatonin. Together, these neurotransmitters communicate to your brain that it’s time to go to sleep or wake up. When the neurotransmitters are disrupted, you may be unable to sleep. You might feel chronically fatigued or cranky, have trouble focusing and find yourself falling asleep during the day. These are symptoms of sleep deprivation, and they’re dangerous to you and the people around you. Getting regular, restful sleep is an important part of staying healthy.

CBD and sleep

CBD is cannabidiol, the non-psychoactive compound in the cannabis plant that helps people relax, soothes inflammation, reduces stress and helps them go to sleep. There are three types of CBD: CBD isolate, full spectrum and broad spectrum. Isolate is CBD only, without other compounds like THC. Full spectrum includes all the cannabinoids in the plant, while broad spectrum removes the THC but leaves behind CBD and other cannabinoids.

Although the scientific community hasn’t yet conclusively discovered why CBD helps with sleep, there is some evidence that it may work well as an indirect sleep aid. For example, CBD can help reduce chronic pain, anxiety, depression and other conditions that make it more difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. By addressing the root causes, you’re more likely to notice long-term benefits from taking CBD.

Can I substitute CBD for sleep medication?

There are two kinds of sleep aids on the market: antihistamines and prescription sleep aids, like Ambien. While using antihistamines like diphenhydramine can be safe and effective, they may also increase daytime drowsiness, dry mouth, short-term memory loss and impaired motor functions. Prescription sleep aids like Ambien can trigger sleepwalking episodes, depression, dizziness, drowsiness and other unpleasant side effects.

For that reason alone, you may want to try CBD for your sleep medication. CBD has virtually no documented side effects—especially not ones that approach the level of those you might get from more traditional sleep aids.

Types of CBD sleep products

There are many ways you can use CBD for sleep. CBD comes in pill, oil, sublingual drops, vape and smokable forms. There are also creams and balms that allow you to absorb its relaxing, pain-relieving effects through the skin.

You may need to experiment with several different CBD types in order to find one that’s right for you. For example, some people may prefer the pill form, while others use vapes or sublingual drops for a faster effect.

For advice on which type to try and to learn more about the benefits of using CBD for your sleeping habits and insomnia, reach out to Serym Pro today.