sleep Archives - CBD Oil Direct

Sleep Naturally: How CBD, CBG, and CBN Can Enhance Your Rest

Amanda — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 04:01:56 +0000

Quality sleep is essential, yet modern lifestyles often leave us restless. With rising stress levels and digital distractions, many are turning to natural solutions for a better night’s rest. Cannabinoids like CBD, along with emerging options such as CBG and CBN, are gaining attention for their potential to support a healthy sleep cycle.

The Modern Sleep Challenge and CBD Sleep Benefits

Today’s fast-paced world contributes to widespread sleep disturbances. Many conventional sleep aids carry unwanted side effects, prompting a growing interest in natural alternatives. Cannabinoids offer a promising option by working with the body’s endocannabinoid system to help maintain balance and support sleep.

Understanding CBD Sleep Benefits and More

CBD (Cannabidiol) is known for its calming properties. It helps reduce anxiety and promote relaxation, making it easier to transition into sleep. Recent studies and user experiences indicate that CBD can support a more natural sleep cycle.

Other cannabinoids also show promise:

CBG (Cannabigerol): With potential anti-inflammatory and mood-balancing effects, CBG may indirectly contribute to better sleep.
CBN (Cannabinol): Emerging research suggests CBN might offer additional sedative benefits, making it a useful complement to CBD.

How These Cannabinoids Work Together for Sleep

By easing the mind and promoting relaxation, these cannabinoids may help:

Lower stress and anxiety that interfere with sleep
Encourage a natural winding-down process
Support consistent sleep patterns through interaction with the body’s endocannabinoid system

Real-World Experiences: CBD Sleep Benefits in Action

Many users report improved sleep quality after incorporating these cannabinoids into their nightly routine. Health experts are exploring how a balanced approach—primarily with CBD and supplemented by CBG or CBN—can offer a holistic path to better sleep. As research evolves, we’re likely to see more personalized, natural solutions to sleep challenges.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Natural Sleep Aids

The future of natural sleep aids is bright. With ongoing studies and positive user experiences, cannabinoid-based solutions may soon become a common approach to managing sleep issues. This shift toward natural remedies reflects a broader trend toward wellness and balanced living.

References:

Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series
Shannon, S. et al. (2019). This study explores CBD’s impact on sleep quality and anxiety management.
Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders
Blessing, E.M. et al. (2015). This article reviews the therapeutic potential of CBD in reducing anxiety, which can indirectly support better sleep.
Cannabis, Cannabinoids, and Sleep: A Review of the Literature
Babson, K.A., Sottile, J., & Morabito, D. (2017). This review examines various cannabinoids and their effects on sleep patterns.
The Role of the Endocannabinoid System in Sleep Regulation
An insightful review from Frontiers in Pharmacology that discusses how cannabinoids interact with our sleep-wake cycles.
CBN: The Sleepy Cannabinoid
Healthline provides an accessible overview of CBN’s potential sedative properties and its emerging role in sleep support.
What is CBG? Cannabigerol Explained
Medical News Today outlines the basics of CBG, including its potential benefits and role in overall wellness, which may indirectly influence sleep quality.

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CBD and Sleep Hygiene

Amanda — Tue, 10 Jan 2023 19:39:38 +0000

CBD and sleep hygiene have a symbiotic relationship. It is well known among the CBD community that CBD has proven capable of potentially improving your quality of sleep. Many testimonials have shared their experiences where by just having a dropper of CBD oil or taking CBD capsules a couple hours before going to bed they have noticed and increased state of relaxation and decreased anxiety and stress. They have also claimed to feel better rested the next morning and feeling more energized throughout the day.

It is important to mention however that CBD will only be as effective as the rest of your daily habits to optimize your resting time. In his best-selling book “Why We Sleep”, neuroscience specialist Matthew Walker breaks down in excruciating detail the reasons why sleeping is one of the most important factors (if not the most important) that will affect the overall health and life expectancy of a human being. It is suggested for an average person to sleep between 7 and 8 hours every day in order for the body to regenerate and for the brain to assimilate and process the information received throughout the day.

If you are one of the millions of people suffering from sleeping disorders (whether occasional or chronic) it might be the time to take action and find ways to improve your sleep hygiene. Here’s a couple practices you can try:

Take a hot bath before going to bed

Given that one of the body’s natural signifies that bedtime is coming soon is a drop in temperature this might sound counter-intuitive. However when the body is exposed to hot water there is an increase in blood flow from the core to the surface, which naturally decreases the temperature of the core. Taking a shower 1-2 hours before bed will significantly help you to fall asleep faster.

Avoid eating food for before going to bed

It is extremely recommended to avoid ingesting anything at least 3 hours before bed. This is primarily to allow your body to digest the food you had throughout the day, therefore preventing having an upset stomach or even acid re-flux while laying down in bed which can be a mood kill for sleeping.

Reduce your exposure to artificial light before going to bed

Circadian rhythms are 24-hour cycles that functions as an internal clock for the body. One of the most well-known circadian rhythms is the sleep-wake cycle. This cycle is directly influenced by light. In a natural environment, our bodies would get ready to go to sleep as our exposure to sunlight decreases towards the night. However artificial light, especially the blue light from computer screens and phones, can interfere with our natural cycle and trick the body into thinking that it is still daytime, thus inhibiting sleepiness and creating sleeping disorders. This is why it is suggested to avoid using your phone before going to bed. If you work at night and require a computer you can install a blue-light filter or use blue-light blocking glasses to reduce the damage.

Drink non-caffeinated tea before going to bed

It is well known that caffeine is sleep’s worst nightmare. Caffeine interferes with our natural production of the sleep-inducing chemical adenosine, delaying our internal clock and causing sleeping disorders. However drinking non-caffeinated tea an hour or two before bedtime has proven to help some people to achieve a state of relaxation and fall asleep faster. Chamomile is one of the most popular options but other herbs such as lavender or Valerian root have also proven effective.

Perform a low-effort activity before going to bed

Exercising is one of the staples for having a good health. It is important to know however that is not recommended to exercise too late at night. This can cause an increase of activity in your nervous system and a raise in your heart rate, thus making it more difficult to go back to a state of relaxation. Activities like reading a pleasant book, performing meditation or even writing some thoughts or ideas in a piece of paper can help you prepare your mind to log off for the day and will reduce the time that it will take you to fall asleep.

CBD will likely increase your chances at improving your sleep but if you also follow the previous recommendations your sleep hygiene will skyrocket and your overall health will become much stronger. If you happen to suffer from severe sleep deprivation ailments do not hesitate in ask a professional health practitioner for guidance. In some extreme cases a pharmaceutical intervention might be the best option but even while taking medication your sleep hygiene will be as good as your daily habits.

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Oh Canada! CBD Oil 101 – An Introduction to Cannabidiol

Amanda — Sat, 07 Mar 2020 04:32:11 +0000

Get those creaky joints ready to dance a jig because apparently there’s a new panacea in town! Its name is CBD—which stands for Cannabidiol. Reputed to be effective for treating almost everything under the sun, think chronic pain, anxiety, arthritis, endometriosis, insomnia, CBD is still a mystery for the uninitiated. Reliable information can be hard to find. In this article, we’ve navigated the sea of buzz on the web to condense nourishing droplets of fact from the vapor of questionable claims. We’ll go over the science and provide CBD newbies with some best practices for buying and using CBD oil in Canada.

CBD, the new kid on the medicinal block.

In Canada, CBD oil has exploded onto the market in the last couple years, appearing in everything from sports drinks, to pet treats, to beauty products, to medicinal “confections” formulated to fight pain, anxiety and other conditions. You can eat it, drink it, drop it under your tongue, slather it onto your skin, smoke it or vape it. But one thing you can’t do is get high on it. While CBD comes from the cannabis plant—the same plant that produces marijuana—it has no psychoactive properties. In fact, it can even inhibit the compound that gets you high—THC—from working. This is why some people like to use THC and CBD together. CBD emphasizes THC’s medicinal properties while inhibiting the psychoactive ones.

Though there is a tremendous amount of anecdotal evidence on the web from CBD users claiming it has helped them, the science as to exactly how it helps is still unclear. That’s because, despite cannabis being used as medicine for over 4000 years, prohibition in Canada and the US up until 2018 made studying the compound difficult, if not impossible.

Now that research has resumed, we’re getting a clearer picture of how this supposed miracle compound works. CBD is a phytocannabinoid which interacts powerfully with the human endocannabinoid system (ECS)—the system in our bodies responsible for regulating stress, sleep, metabolism, memory, inflammation, immunity and more.

According to leading endocannabinoid scientist Bradley E. Alger, (PhD, Harvard) “…Endocannabinoids are literally a bridge between body and mind,” which explains why CBD can have such widespread effects across such a broad number of systems in our bodies.

These effects can vary significantly, however, because each individual’s endocannabinoid system is different and because CBD is biphasic. This means that different doses of CBD can have completely different effects. For example, a small dose might make you more alert, whereas a larger dose might make you more sleepy. That’s right! Two apparently opposite effects are possible from the same substance!

That’s why much more research is necessary. We need to find out exactly what CBD does in various concentrations when used for different conditions.

First, some terminology:

The Endocannabinoid System (ECS): a quick overview

All vertebrates have endocannabinoid systems, be they fish, birds, cats or dogs. Cannabinoid receptors can be found all over your body. The highest concentration is in your central nervous system and brain (where they’re called CB1 receptors) and in your immune system and inflammatory cells (where they’re called CB2 receptors). Your body produces billions of endocannabinoids every day. These bind to endocannabinoid receptors to help you sleep, eat, remember where you put your keys, and start healing after injury. When endocannabinoids have completed their tasks, they are eliminated by enzymes.

In your brain, endocannabinoids play a role similar to that of neurotransmitters—transporting messages from one neuron to another. However they differ from other neurotransmitters. rather than sending messages with instructions for your body, they actually slow down the brain’s signalling. According to Mohini Ranganathan, MBBS, associate professor of psychiatry at Yale University and a CBD researcher: “When there’s too much neurotransmission going on — which you might experience as a racing mind, high anxiety, or even an increase in pain — endocannabinoids in the brain help pump the brakes.” This likely explains why so many people in Canada swear by CBD’s anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory effects.

Another function of cannabinoids is to balance endocannabinoid levels when there is either a shortage or over-production of these compounds. A healthy ECS makes its own endocannabinoids which affect the experience of anxiety or pain. However, for some cannabinoid production is too low—or in some cases, overactive enzymes eliminate them before they do their jobs. “We think CBD binds to those CB2 receptors to inhibit the release of pain signalling,” says Mark Wallace, MD, a professor of anesthesiology at the University of California San Diego. CBD is also thought to permit the body’s naturally-produced cannabinoids to remain in our bodies longer, prolonging their effects.

What has CBD been shown to do?

There are already many people using CBD oil in Canada. Here are some of the most common ways CBD shows promise, and what the science says so far:

For relieving pain

CBD’s role in eliminating pain is multifaceted. For example, one way CBD works is by inhibiting the release of inflammatory agents like glutamate. This is what makes it a “neuroprotective.” CBD excels at dulling the burning, tingling and prickling sensations of neuropathic pain, especially when combined with other natural supplements such as magnesium glycinate.

Another way CBD works is by inhibiting the absorption of anandamide, a natural cannabinoid that regulates pain and is linked with feelings of well-being and happiness. CBD enhances anandamide signaling and helps reduce pain throughout the body.

One study on animals in the European Journal of Pain found that CBD applied topically could help reduce arthritis pain and inflammation. Another study on rodents found that CBD injections prevented inflammatory and nerve pain.

Additionally, a peer-reviewed research paper published in the British Journal of Pharmacology found that CBD alleviated severe neuropathic pain caused by chemotherapy in cancer patients. There’s also evidence that CBD relieves pain from multiple sclerosis. Not all results are so encouraging. In other studies, only 29% of those treated with CBD reported decreases in pain. However, results often vary due to researchers using ineffective doses or using poor quality CBD extracted from low-grade, government-grown hemp produced prior to CBD’s 2018 legalization.

For calming anxiety

Though more research needs to be done, there are a handful of studies that bolster CBD’s anti-anxiety credentials. One 2019 study of 72 adults who suffered from anxiety and poor sleep found that CBD helped alleviate both conditions within a month. Another study of 60 men and women found that while clonazepam consistently reduced anxiety better than both CBD and placebo, 300 mg of CBD significantly reduce anxiety compared to the placebo group.

In 2019, Remedy Review conducted a survey of over 1,000 people to see whether people felt CBD was effective in treating their anxiety, then compared that to results with pharmaceutical drugs. What they found was quite remarkable.

64% of those in the study reported CBD to be “extremely effective.” Although pharmaceutical drugs did a marginal 0.5% better, what this study tells us is that CBD is very close to being as effective as pharmaceuticals in treating anxiety. The added benefit?—CBD costs less and doesn’t cause addiction or serious side effects.

Already, there’s a growing body of evidence that CBD is good for:

Generalized anxiety disorder
Panic disorder
Social anxiety disorder
Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

For reducing menstrual pain and cramps

CBD works similarly to Ibuprofin, by decreasing your body’s production of inflammatory prostaglandins—the compounds that stimulate painful cramps. Not only do THC & CBD actually reduce the physical intensity of cramps, they reduce your ability to feel the pain they cause as well.

Although you can’t entirely eliminate prostaglandins, you can reduce the discomforts caused by prostaglandins. Here are all the properties CBD and other cannabinoids possess that reduce painful menstrual cramps:

Anti-inflammatory: Cannabinoids target much more than just prostaglandins. For instance, THC activates endocannabinoid receptors CB2. When these are activated, they prevent macrophages from releasing inflammatory proteins called cytokines.
Pain-relieving: Although prostaglandins and other inflammatory molecules can make pain-perceiving nerves more sensitive, cannabinoids fight back by desensitizing these nerves. Both CBD and THC target nerve receptors that help decrease the sensation of pain (TRPV1 and CB1, respectively). Additionally, not only does CBD desensitize TRPV1, but those soothing effects can spread to neighbouring pain receptors.
Muscle-relaxing: Menstrual cramps are exacerbated by contractions of the smooth muscle lining the uterus — and cannabinoids are known to relax smooth muscles. THC and CBD both target different receptors embedded in the muscle tissue to relax contractions.
Vascular-relaxing: Blood vessels are lined with smooth muscle. When cannabinoids trigger this smooth muscle to relax, blood flow increases. Increased blood flow could help provide relief to oxygen-starved tissues, further decreasing painful cramps.

Read more about CBD for women’s health.

For controlling seizures

Presently, there’s but one FDA-approved CBD medicine, called Epidiolex, and it’s for treating childhood epilepsy—particularly cases that don’t respond to anti-seizure medications. In a number of studies, pure CBD administered orally through an oil reduced the number of seizures. In some cases the seizures were stopped completely.

For treating schizophrenia

Preliminary research shows CBD may reduce some symptoms of schizophrenia without the side effects of most anti-psychotic drugs. “However, the data is mixed,” says Dr. Ranganathan, who has authored both studies that show CBD might have some benefit in treating schizophrenia, as well as studies that found CBD had no effect at all.

For improving sleep

Reportedly, nearly 80 percent people have trouble sleeping once a week. Some of the main worries about prescription and over-the-counter drugs is that they are ineffective and addictive.

Joseph Maroon, M.D., clinical professor and neurosurgeon at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and a seasoned researcher on how cannabis affects the brain, says CBD appears to ease anxiety and pain, both of which can make it harder to fall or stay asleep.

For people whose pain interferes with sleep, CBD offers a promising alternative to pharmaceuticals. CBD has been show to reduce pain-induced sleeplessness by working on the pain symptoms themselves, whereas pharmaceutical drugs targeting sedation don’t address pain.

A 2017 review of sleep and cannabis in the journal Current Psychiatry Reports showed CBD might influence sleep directly by stimulating receptors in the brain that govern daily sleep/wake cycles.

We’re also learning that CBD regulates cortisol—a stress hormone, which has a significant impact on non-REM sleep cycles. A large case series review found that CBD was beneficial for anxiety-related disorders and increased people’s sleep quality.

For improving skin health

There is hard proof CBD reduces inflammation and pain when applied topically. At the very least, we know CBD is a great source of antioxidants and beneficial amino acids.

The need for more research prevents some doctors from completely endorsing CBD, despite results so far. Cosmetic dermatologist Shereene Idriss, M.D., of Union Square Laser Dermatology said, “There’s a 2014 study in the Journal of Clinical Investigation that showed promising results for using CBD to treat acne.” Dr. Idriss has high hopes for CBD, but she can’t recommend it until she sees additional research.

Still, there are some doctors who are happy giving advice. NYC cosmetic dermatologist Sejal Shah, M.D. said, “Generally, CBD is well tolerated by all skin types, but be sure to look for it in products that best suit your skin type.” Although CBD won’t cause irritation, other ingredient in skin care product might. “Just as you would with any new product, start ones containing CBD with caution and stop using it if [you] develop a negative reaction,” she said.

“CBD has been shown to be soothing to the skin, and has been used in the treatment of acne and rosacea as well as eczema and dryness,” said Shirley Chi, MD, a Los Angeles-based dermatologist. “The anti-inflammatory properties of CBD can help decrease itching and puffiness of skin, and even treat soreness of the skin,” she added.

Read more about CBD for skin and beauty.

Is CBD oil legal in Canada?

Yes, ever since the Cannabis act of 2018, consumers have been free to buy CBD products of their choice.

Is CBD safe? What about side effects? Overdoses?

There are no instances of people overdosing on CBD oil in Canada or anywhere else. CBD is safe and humans tolerate large doses well. It is possible to feel a few side effects if you take far too much though, including diarrhea, appetite changes, and fatigue. However, people have been prescribed 1500 mg of CBD per day—the entire contents of a typical bottle—without any side effects. Typically, a bottle should last you 2-4 weeks.

One thing that is important to note is that CBD can interact with other medications, so if you are on any prescription medications or drugs of any kind, you should talk to your doctor about taking CBD to make sure you don’t experience any unwanted drug interactions.

The FDA strongly advises against using CBD if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

What are the different ways to take CBD Oil in Canada?

Edibles. CBD oils and tinctures mixed into anything you can eat, including gummies, chocolates, drinks, coffee, popcorn, salad dressing and more.

How they work. When CBD goes through the digestive system, only a small percentage gets absorbed, “If you ingest 100 mg of CBD only about 5 mg may end up in your bloodstream,” says Dr. Ranganathan. If you want to feel a stronger effect, you may have to increase the dosage.

Many people enjoy edibles because they are discreet, one just looks like they’re eating run-of-the-mill gummy bears or treats. Edibles release CBD more gradually through your system than other methods, so this is a better delivery method if you want CBD active in your system over a longer period.

Sublingual. Oils and tinctures designed to be held under your tongue before swallowing.

How it works: To get CBD to your brain, the best way is to use a dropper and put a few drops under your tongue. There’s a very high concentration of blood vessels there and it’s close to the brain. Don’t swallow right away, leave it under your tongue 30-90 seconds. The liver filters CBD quite efficiently, so this method is superior to ingesting it.

Topicals. CBD-infused creams and balms you rub on sore areas like knees, back or arthritic hands.

How they work: For localized pain, as in the case of muscle spasms and arthritis pain, it might be advisable to try a CBD-infused balm, pain stick, transdermal patch, or even to apply CBD oil directly to your skin. While CBD has limited bioavailability when ingested, CBD has longer lasting therapeutic effects when absorbed through your skin.

CBD capsules. Capsules filled with oil you swallow like a traditional supplement. Packaged like bottles of vitamins or supplements, they contain gel caps filled with a golden oil.

How they work: Almost identically to other edibles. It’s quicker to consume these than by chewing a gummy, however the cbd oil must still pass through the digestive tract, ensuring that the liver can remove some of the CBD before it enters the bloodstream.

CBD vape oil. These can be pre-filled oil cartridges that attach to vape batteries or vape juice for use in e-cigarettes.

How they work: These by-pass the liver, ensuring high bio-availability and are a good method of taking CBD if you want to experience the effects more quickly. However, there are numerous concerns with the health impacts of vaping.

Some vaporizers are made specifically for vaping cannabis flower.

Smoking/vaping CBD flower: Using joint made from CBD-dominant cannabis flower or a vaporizer.

How it works: Another way to inhale CBD through the lungs. Though smoking a CBD-dominant cannabis strain like Charlotte’s Web still comes with the tar and smoke of a regular joint (and perhaps a little THC as well), it is possible to vape CBD-dominant flower using specialized vaporizers built specifically for that purpose.

Buying CBD? A few rules of thumb:

✘ DON’T trust labels. In a 2017 JAMA study of 84 CBD products purchased online, 43% had more CBD than indicated, 26% had less, and some contained THC. When purchasing CBD, ask to see the lab results proving the contents are as they state.

✘ DON’T hunt for bargains. “Good CBD is expensive,” says Dr. Wallace. “CBD manufacturers have to do a lot of extraction to get CBD oil from hemp plants, and while they’re getting more efficient at that process, it’s time-consuming and expensive.” That’s why quality CBD can cost more than $100 for a 1-ounce bottle of oil.

✘ DON’T believe the hype about the ideal dose. No matter which way you decide to take CBD, the rule of thumb is “start low, go slow.” There’s no prescribed dosage for CBD, and since it acts differently on different people according to their condition, weight, body chemistry and other factors, finding the right dose usually involves a little experimentation. Read more about proper CBD use and dosage.

A few more tips for buying CBD oil in Canada:

buy from health-minded sources – no gas stations,
read labels carefully; hemp oil isn’t CBD oil for example,
avoid products sourced from hemp seed or stalks,
look for products that have information for reporting negative effects and
look for lab-tested products.

Other resources:

Canada’s Dani Gordon specializes in Cannabis medicine. Her YouTube channel is highly informative for those seeking education about the benefits of CBD oil in Canada.

Disclaimer

This information does not constitute medical advice and it should not be relied upon as such. Consult with your doctor before modifying your regular medical regime. Our websites content is provided as a service; all content is solely for informational purpose only and is intended to facilitate communication between you and your healthcare provider. We do not represent in any manner whatsoever that the content of our website contains the opinions of a healthcare professional

The post Oh Canada! CBD Oil 101 – An Introduction to Cannabidiol appeared first on CBD Oil Direct.

The Ultimate Info Guide to CBD for Sleep and Insomnia

Amanda — Tue, 04 Feb 2020 03:19:15 +0000

In this article we’ll look at the effectiveness of CBD for insomnia and sleep. We’ll look at studies, the science and testimony to understand how and why it works and how best to use CBD oil in Canada and elsewhere it is available.

Full Disclosure: Linked products in this article point to items for sale in our shop. We hope you find these trusted product recommendations helpful!

CBD for sleep, a time-honored tradition!

The use of cannabis for sleep is not breaking news. In fact, human use of this natural medicine was recorded ages ago. Long before there were headlines, in 1200 AD, cannabis was already listed as a sleep aid in Chinese medical texts. The Hindus used it far earlier than that, writing about cannabis for sleep in the Atharvaveda—a text dating back roughly 3500 years to 1500 BC.

Everyone knows lack of sleep prevents us from functioning at our peak emotional, physical, and mental levels. When sleeplessness becomes chronic our health and productivity takes a big hit.

In the US, nearly 80 percent people report having trouble sleeping once a week. However, some of the main worries about prescription and over-the-counter drugs is that they are ineffective and addictive. Opioids and antidepressant drugs also reduce analgesic (pain-relieving) effects, increasing the chances of sleep disruptions from pain.

With CBD’s growing reputation as the “new” (but really 3500-plus-year-old) sleep aid, more people are turning to it as a safe, non-habit-forming alternative to pharmaceuticals.

What do the studies say so far?

In a study conducted by Scott Shannon, MD 72 patients were administered 25mg CBD pills over a period of months. Of those 72, 47 subjects suffered anxiety, while the other 25 experienced difficulty sleeping. The results showed the following:

79.2% of all the participants said that CBD resulted in lower levels of anxiety; and
66.7% of all the participants said that CBD gave them a better sleep experience.

In another study conducted in the University of São Paulo, Brazil, researchers gave CBD to subjects with Parkinson’s Disease and REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD)—a disorder in which people physically move in reaction to dreams. With CBD usage, their symptoms dramatically improved.

Pain is another leading cause of lost sleep. A 2018 review in Frontiers in Pharmacology found evidence that CBD improves sleep by soothing pain.

Another 2017 review investigating CBD’s applications for sleep also found it helpful in treating RBD, and noted that CBD had potential for treating excessive daytime sleepiness as well.

How does CBD work in the body to promote sleep?

Joseph Maroon, M.D., clinical professor and neurosurgeon at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, a seasoned researcher on how cannabis affects the brain, says that CBD appears to ease anxiety and pain, both of which can make it harder to fall asleep or stay asleep.

For those who struggle with sleeplessness due to pain, CBD offers a promising alternative to pharmaceutical pain relievers. CBD has been show to reduce pain-induced sleeplessness by working on the symptoms themselves rather than providing a sedative effect like pharmaceutical drugs.

A 2017 review of sleep and cannabis in the journal Current Psychiatry Reports indicates CBD may also affect sleep directly by stimulating receptors in the brain that govern daily sleep/wake cycles.

We’re also learning that CBD reduces anxiety and stress by regulating cortisol—a stress hormone, which has a significant impact on non-REM sleep cycles. A large case series review found that CBD is beneficial for anxiety-related disorders and increases sleep quality.

CBD also relaxes muscles. Studies show that CBD is a promising treatment for movement disorders, helping to reduce tremors and hypermotility in Parkinson’s disease patients. By reducing muscle tremors, CBD helps insomnia in patients with movement disorders like Restless Leg, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease.

CBD has also been shown to have an impact on sleep disrupted by chronic nightmares. For those who suffer from REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD), in which sleep is disrupted by restlessness and increased nightmares, CBD can reduce those RBD side effects.

CBD can also improve sleep quality and wakefulness by regulating the body’s sleep/wake cycles. This promotes wakefulness during daytime and relaxation at night. Insomnia and daytime sleepiness can impact both daytime productivity and the ability to fall asleep at night. Administration of CBD during daylight hours can help to promote alertness, leading to more restful sleep at night.

Sleep disorders can also be the result of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). An increasing number of research studies bolster the view that CBD oil is effective for sleep issues related to PTSD. CBD helps to relieve anxiety related to PTSD, reducing anxiety-induced REM sleep disturbances.

CBD also increases sleep in the third phase, the “deep sleep” phase. It also decreases the duration of REM sleep, the phase of light sleep where dreams occur. As a result, memory may be improved, and symptoms of depression may be decreased.

CBD is also known to have powerful anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities that can improve sleep recovery overall by reducing pain, oxidative damage and inflammation. This might explain why CBD is becoming so popular with sports professional like pro golfers Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, NASM certified personal trainers like Tara Laferrara, and even mixed martial artists like Nate Diaz.

There are testimonials galore!

The internet is literally awash in testimonials by customers reviewing CBD products as sleeping aids. A quick google search for “CBD sleep testimonial” yields hundred of thousands of links. Here are just a few of the testimonials we found:

“Both my wife and I were regular users of marijuana, helping us to reach sleep easier in these stressful times, but she stopped abruptly just more than a year ago when diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Here thinking was that a lively mind would almost certainly cause her to dwell on her condition, and bring more paranoia than relief. After careful review of all the CBD choices available in a field crowded with profiteers and charlatans, Royal CBD stood out with solid testimonials and your obvious attention to science and manufacturing standards. It has proven to work splendidly, helping her sleep through the night and wean herself off high dosages of opioids. I’m ordering more today!” R.A.

“This has helped with my fibromyalgia a lot! Hands wrists feet and ankles used to keep me up nights but this is really minimizing the pain.” Laura S

“Not so much for chronic back pain, but a wonderful surprise in the prostate dept. No longer waking at 0300, 0400, 0700. Etc…to fake urinate,!!! It’s like being 19 again and normal again. Actually sleeping 6 to 8 hours straight, and great rest! Thanks guys. What a great surprise… telling all my friends!!” Ran M

How do you take CBD for sleep?

Though much more science needs to be done, research to date seems to suggest that at higher doses, CBD has a calming effect, but at lower doses has a stimulating effect. Each person responds differently to CBD and there are no recommended dosage guidelines. For those trying CBD for the first time, a little experimentation is necessary.

Most clinical trials on CBD and sleep involved giving subjects anywhere between 25 mg to 1,500 mg of CBD per day. It’s best to start with a low dose and gradually increase it until you find something that works for you. If you’re trying to improve your wakefulness and sleep routine, something like 20-25mg in the morning might be helpful. If you are trying to reduce anxiety, pain and other symptoms and improve sleep recovery, a dose of 30-160mg an hour before sleep might be beneficial.

There are different ways to get CBD into your system, so it’s important to choose the right form of delivery for your needs. If you want to feel the effects quickly, the most highly recommended way it to put drops of pure CBD oil or full spectrum CBD oil under your tongue and hold it for 30-90 seconds before swallowing.

Many studies indicated that both THC and CBD can help with sleep. For those that want to combine the sedative effects of both THC and CBD there are blended tinctures with varying ratios of CBD to THC such as 4:1 CBD/THC tinctures, 20:1 CBD/THC tinctures and 1:1 CBD/THC tinctures. Interestingly, CBD actually inhibits THC from making you feel “high” so a blended tincture will reduce the THC “high” and emphasize its medicinal qualities.

You can also consume CBD in the form of CBD capsules, and CBD edibles. In this form, CBD must go through the digestive tract and is released more slowly, which might help you sleep longer. However, the liver is good at removing CBD from the bloodstream. So when you consume it, less of the dose actually gets to your endocannabinoid system. Experiment and adjust your dose accordingly.

In Canada, CBD oil is getting increasingly popular, but it can also be combined with other herbal remedies. Some people like to combine CBD with other sleep aids or supplements such as Sleepytime or chamomile tea, melatonin, valerian root, magnesium, lavender, passion flower, glycine and more. Some brands have even created CBD oils formulated for sleep that include melatonin, vitamin B6, valerian root and more!

A few additional resources:

To learn more about how to use CBD see How do I Use CBD? What’s the Proper CBD Oil Dosage?

Remember that the best way to improve sleep is to cultivate habits and routines that improve your chances of getting a good night’s rest. Check out How to Fall Asleep the Natural Way for a guide on the best ways to get a good night’s sleep without drugs.

For an in-depth guide on CBD and sleep, check out the article below by Clinical Psychologist; Board Certified Sleep Specialist:

The Ultimate Guide to CBD and Sleep

This information does not constitute medical advice and it should not be relied upon as such. Consult with your doctor before modifying your regular medical regime.

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10 Amazing benefits of CBD oil in Canada

Amanda — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 14:29:23 +0000

There’s starting to be a lot of excitement about CBD Oil in Canada. News of it’s numerous applications and benefits are spreading fast. From relieving chronic pain and social anxiety, to fighting cancer, to preventing epileptic seizures, to aiding sleep, to increasing alertness, to fighting Alzheimer’s, the mind-boggling number of CBD oil benefits people are experiencing contribute to CBD’s reputation as a new panacea.

Beyond these therapeutic benefits, one of CBD’s most alluring qualities is that it is gentle and completely non-toxic. Unlike drugs like Advil, Motrin and Aleve, which can cause heart problems, gastrointestinal bleeding, hearing loss and kidney disease, CBD has no side-effects. CBD is a natural solution that works by regulating the human endocannabinoid system to achieve homeostasis and avoid chronic conditions.

Canadians are loving CBD oil, so what are the CBD oil benefits people are enjoying the most?

10 amazing cbd oil benefits you should know.

1. It helps you sleep.

CBD isn’t as tranquilizing as smoking or vaping a strong Indica strain of cannabis flower, but used as part of a regimen it can improve sleep recovery and restfulness. CBD alleviates pain and stress, soothing effects that melt away aches and mute stressful voices in your head. Used together with a little melatonin—a natural sleep inducer, and you won’t just sleep well, you’ll recover more fully.

2. It improves professional performance.

That’s right, CBD also increases focus and lucidity, and it does so by doing a number of things. As a powerful anti-inflammatory, CBD aids in sleep recovery so you wake up fresh. CBD also reduces anxiety, which, as we know is poison to self-confidence.

For most endeavours, self-confidence is a major determinant of success on both the micro and macro scales. Without the distraction of anxiety we become fully lucid and focused.

Unlike sugar and caffeine-saturated energy drinks, CBD oil produces no crash or sweats, it is smooth and clarifying.

3. It improves athletic performance.

For any serious athlete, it’s well known that to build strength and stamina it is absolutely essential that you get good sleep for good recovery. Whether you’re competing for Mr. Universe, as an F1 racer, basketball player, kick boxer, or just trying to get in better shape, building focus, energy, coordination and strength are paramount.

CBD ameliorates sleep with powerful anti-inflammatory properties that increase muscle recovery while CBD’s soothing effects ensure you sleep deeply.

If used before sports or training, CBD can increase mental clarity and focus. This can make you more aware of your body, more fluid and dynamic in your movements, and more lucid when making split-second decisions. Better to react out of strategy and reason, as opposed to fear or panic.

CBD also helps with joint pain. As former gymnast Brody Shemansky explains: “Asymmetrical pain in joins at a different part of the body is pretty typical. The body is a chain. Often times the injury to a right ankle will cause pain in the left hip at some point.

I used to get consistent blood tests after chemo and during my bodybuilding career. I noticed my testosterone levels, my lipid levels, and a few other metrics were always better when I was taking CBD.”

Taken together, CBD—especially full-spectrum CBD—offers pain relief, better recovery and mental focus so you can have the full coordination, strength and energy of your body at your disposal. These are the CBD oil benefits that make it so popular with athletes like Megan Rapinoe and Anthony Petis.

4. It helps enhance memory and protects from Alzheimer’s.

CBD is a neuroprotective. That means it helps prevent and heal damage to the brain and nervous system and promotes growth and development of neurons.

While we’re still researching the full benefits of CBD on neurological disorders, it is believed the neuroprotective properties of CBD may help slow down or prevent the progression of conditions like multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s.

In recent studies by California’s Salk Institute, one CBD oil benefit identified was the reduction of inflammation, and of the impacts of oxygen build-up and brain cell decline. Using CBD oil can reduce the type of inflammation that causes most Alzheimer’s symptoms. In Canada—CBD oil is fully legal—and people are rejoicing.

5. It improves your golf game.

Pro golfers love CBD. Long time fan Bubba Watson has even got his sponsor—cbdMD—emblazoned on his visor for the 2019 PGA Championships.

Scott McCarron uses it regularly because CBD oil benefits help him with sleep, anxiety, inflammation and recovery.

With better sleep and CBD oil alleviating pain, stress and anxiety, Canadian golfers will find CBD melting away their pre-big-game jitters while elevating their focus and energy.

For Bubba Watson, who is the 18th-ranked golfer in the world, there’s no doubting CBD’s effectiveness,

“I’ve personally felt the benefits,” he says.

It’s even rumoured Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods both took to chewing CBD-infused chewing gum at the most recent Masters, a tournament that Woods ended up winning.

Just imagine how good a game at Cabot Cliffs, Nova Scotia could be if you ate a CBD gummy or two beforehand…

6. It reduces anxiety and alleviates PTSD

Research on CBD’s effectiveness in reducing anxiety and for treating PTSD is very promising. Studies on both animals and humans have shown that CBD may help lower feelings of isolation, and support the hippocampus region of the brain in producing healthy emotion and memory.

One study showed CBD could reduce social anxiety in a way comparable to ipsapirone and diazepam (valium).

In another study by NYU Langone Medical Center researchers, people suffering from PTSD were shown to have much lower levels of anandamide than others.

Anandamides are essentially antidepressants released by the brain that interact with CB1 cannabinoid receptors in the body. Anandamides help turn off traumatic memories so that people can essentially stop paying attention to them.

By activating your CB1 and CB2 receptors, cannabinoids prompt your brain to produce neurotransmitters that help promote happiness, pleasure, and memory.

It also prevents the recall of painful memories, and helps us avoid re-living trauma. Instead, we get happy thoughts—which is what has made it so popular with combat veterans.

7. It’ll make your pets happier!

While much of the evidence about the benefits of CBD for pets is anecdotal, a 2019 study in the Canadian Veterinary Journal found 80% of pet owners surveyed reported: “they had purchased cannabis products for their dogs most commonly for pain and anxiety.”

In a double-blind study by Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, over 80% of the dogs that received CBD oil treatment showed “significant improvement in pain levels and quality of life” without side-effects.

In another study by Colorado State University in Fort Collins, where researchers were trying to determine whether CBD could help epileptic dogs, nearly 90% of dogs had fewer seizures when taking the chicken-flavoured oil, as compared to about 20% on placebo.

Though results are preliminary, it’s beginning to look like CBD oil’s benefits; non toxic, pain relieving, inflammation fighting, anxiety relieving, are just as beneficial for our pets as they are for us. It’s probably why so many pet owners are turning to CBD oil in Canada

8. It may fight cancerous tumour growth and reduces nausea.

In 2016, researchers noted that the use of cannabinoids shows promise in the fight against cancer. The authors found that cannabinoids seem to inhibit the growth of many different types of tumour cell in both test tubes and animal models.

The endocannabinoid system is an extremely important system in the body because it helps modulate cell growth and death.

When CBD acts on CB1 and CB2 receptors, it prompts the endocannabinoid system to produce anti-tumour warnings—impairing cancer development by inhibiting reproduction, metastasis, and tumour angiogenesis.

Additionally, CBD provides widespread pain relief by reducing inflammation.

Though it’s still early to say definitively how effective CBD oil is in treatment, more and more studies are showing promising results:

A 2019 study by the US National Institute of Health of in vitro and in vivo studies found that cannabinoids can help slow tumour growth, reduce tumour invasion, and induce tumour cell death. The study authors wrote that research into the effectiveness of different formulations, dosing, and precise mode of action are lacking and urgently needed.
A 2019 study in the Journal of the Association of Basic Medical Sciences indicated that CBD could provoke cell death and make glioblastoma cells more sensitive to radiation, but with no effect on healthy cells.
A 2014 study in Phytomedicine suggests that CBD may inhibit the spread of colorectal cancer cells.
A study by the Paulista School of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo found that cannabinoids are promising compounds in the treatment of gliomas.
Other research in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment demonstrated the efficacy of CBD in pre-clinical models of metastatic breast cancer. The study found that CBD significantly reduced breast cancer cell proliferation and invasion.

Remember, if you’re using CBD oil to treat cancer in Canada, make sure to consult your doctor to ensure you’re using CBD effectively and safely.

9. It fights multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease.

As mentioned in 10 benefits of CBD oil in Canada (insert pt 1 link) CBD oil is a powerful neuroprotective.

A Journal of Epilepsy Research study of purified CBD found that patients with Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome experienced a reduction in the frequency of convulsions of all kinds, including tonic-clonic, tonic, clonic, and atonic. “For the first time, there is now class 1 evidence that adjunctive use of CBD improves seizure control in patients with specific epilepsy syndromes,” states the report.

The news is good for people with multiple sclerosis as well, the available data indicates that a cannabis extract with a roughly 1:1 CBD to THC ratio reduces pain and muscle spasms in MS patients.

Over on Healthline.com, long time MS-sufferer Jamie Tripp writes that she likes to “use the oil on my feet and lower legs, massaging it on topically at night. I almost feel bad saying this — I haven’t had one bad night, in terms of peripheral neuropathy and spasticity in my lower limbs…”

What’s not perfectly understood is how CBD and THC work to achieve these effects, but scientists are rapidly catching up.

New research from the Department of Pathology in the University of South Carolina School of Medicine describes how CBD suppresses pro-inflammatory effects while also promoting the production of immune-enhancing proteins known to have powerful anti-inflammatory properties.

Unlike drugs prescribed for MS like Interferon that produce side effects similar to those of chemotherapy, CBD oil is non-toxic and produces little to no side-effects.

The use of cannabis to treat MS is hardly new though. MS sufferers have been using CBD and THC to treat themselves for years! In fact the US National Centre for Biotechnology Information reported that “nearly every participant in a 1997 survey of 112 regular marijuana users with multiple sclerosis [stated] that the drug lessened both pain and spasticity.”

And though there’s still no cure for Parkinson’s disease, it’s becoming very clear that CBD can help.

CBD oil raises the levels of dopamine in the body, allowing Parkinson’s patients greater mobility, less involuntary shaking and muscle seizures, and less pain around sore and tender joints. It also increase mood levels and ease anxieties, giving MS patients a welcome respite from the stresses of their condition. Just ask Michael J. Fox, he’s a huge fan!

10. It’ll improve mood and your whole quality of life.

You don’t have to suffer from a terminal illness or chronic condition to love CBD oil. It’s non-toxic and natural, and in Canada, CBD oil isn’t even expensive! You can use it as you would a herbal supplement to increase your overall quality of life. It’ll make you happier, healthier, less anxious, more refreshed and more lucid. With no side-effects there’s no harm in trying it for a month and making up your own mind about whether it’s right for you.