CBD articles: How CBD Oil Helps with Sleep

We all need sleep. Along with nutrition and exercise, adults require between six to eight hours of sleep for optimum health.

A good night's sleep exists of twenty percent of those six to eight hours in the Rapid Eye Movement or REM stage. So, those epic dreams that seem to go on forever usually last fewer than two hours.

An occasional sleepless or nearly sleepless night won't have any long-term ill effects, but according to a Harvard study, chronic sleep deficiency comes at a price:

• A slowed down metabolism may lead to weight gain or make it difficult to lose those extra pounds.
• Lack of sleep contributes to depression and anxiety or just a generally bad mood.
• Insufficient sleep causes memory problems and other cognitive deficiencies.
• You need sufficient sleep for driving or operating other machinery making it a safety issue.
• Your heart requires sufficient sleep to function.
• Not enough sleep promotes illness by compromising your immune system.

WHY DO WE HAVE TROUBLE SLEEPING?

It seems the inventions and technological advances meant to make our lives easier at times gives way to more time for work and stress. After a busy day of work and dealing with family and personal concerns many of us have trouble turning our minds off and falling asleep. Additionally, other factors also contribute to trouble sleeping:

• Chronic pain may keep you awake.
• Drinking coffee or other caffeine beverages too close to bedtime interferes with sleep
• Alcoholic beverages consumed late in the day disturb sleep.
• Those who suffer from autoimmune conditions have trouble achieving the REM stage of sleep.

OTC AND PRESCRIBED SLEEP AIDS:

The vast numbers of Americans who suffer from insufficient or inadequate sleep present a lucrative opportunity for the pharmaceutical industry. Both over the counter and prescription drugs provide ways to help us fall asleep, but they come with various side-effects and other problems:

• Zolpidem represents one of the prescribed medications that helps you fall asleep but comes with risk of falling and increased cancer risks. The prescribed medication Ambien requires a dedication of seven hour to sleep. Ambien's side-effects include addiction, sleep walking and amnesia.
• OTC medications don't fare much better when it comes to side-effects. The warning labels indicate to take them occasionally, but addiction remains a problem. Additionally, drugs not labeled for sleeplessness, but still used for that purpose such as Benadryl also come with risks such as liver damage or an increased risk of Alzheimer's.
• Alternative healthcare professionals suggest healthy routines like lavender baths, yoga, massage and teas with natural herbs and other ingredients. But, popular natural sleep aids such as Melatonin and Valerian Root are not recommended for daily use.

HOW CBD HELPS WITH BETTER SLEEP:

WHAT IS CBD HEMP OIL?

CBD oil derives from the cannabis sativa plant and essentially contains nor tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. THC gives marijuana its psychoactive properties which cause the high or euphoric sensation. CBD hemp oil and other hemp CBD products will not make you high, but it does possess powerful healing properties.

The extraction methods of CBD oil from the cannabis plant include CO2 extraction or infusion in a carrier oil either alcoholic or nonalcoholic.

HOW DOES THE CBD HEMP OIL WORK?

The body's endocannabinoid system or ECS facilitates the function of the CBD oil or other CBD product. Made up of endogenous molecules throughout the body, the ECS was discovered as a result in the 1980s conducted with the purpose of determining why cannabis helped with so many conditions and ailments. Homeostasis or balance represents the primary function of the ECS.

The cannabis plants works well with the ECS since the plant has the same type of system. When compromised from poor health habits or disease, CBD oil helps the body's ECS achieve balance by targeting the appropriate C1 and C2 receptors and sending the appropriate signal.

HOW CBD OIL HELPS WITH SLEEP:

CBD oil contributes to high quality sleep through the following:

• Homeostasis or balance
• Contributing positively to pain relief and pain management
• Relieving stress and anxiety

HOW TO USE CBD OIL FOR SLEEP:

Like any holistic product, CBD oil and CBD tinctures work best when combined with a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, both dosage and timing when taking CBD oil for improving sleep quality. Taking the CBD oil two hours before bedtime represents the typical suggestion. The individual's tolerance and weight often determine the dosage, but the manufacturer or a healthcare professional can help determine both the dosage and timing.

If pain or anxiety are major factors in sleepless nights, specific CBD products for those conditions also promote restorative sleep.