But there is no evidence that CBD can pass through the skin and into the body. Some people report improvement in their symptoms while using CBD, and some studies have shown small benefits in certain people. Before using CBD, make sure to tell your health care provider about any health conditions you have or medicines you are taking. You should also see a doctor if you have a severe sleep disorder, restlessness or anxiety, as CBD is not meant to treat those issues. Of course CBD is primarily meant for therapeutic benefits and is not meant to replace any doctor-recommended prescriptions if you suffer from serious insomnia.
If you are considering using a CBD-based product for your sleep disorder, speak with your primary care provider or sleep specialist about whether there is any research about its effectiveness in regulating your condition. According to research, lower doses of THC are linked to reduced sleep onset latency (the time it takes to fall asleep after the lights turn off), more deep sleep, and longer sleep duration. Like many other natural sleep aids, more research is needed to know exactly which types of sleep disorders could benefit the most. If your sleeping difficulties are due to anxiety or pain, CBD may provide relief from your symptoms so you can fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Other possible side effects include diarrhea (dry mouth), drowsiness, fatigue, and reduced appetite.
This theory suggests that low endocannabinoid levels in your body or ECS dysfunction can contribute to the development of certain conditions. This allows them to have more of an effect on your body. For example, THC may help to reduce pain and stimulate your appetite. This allows it to have a range of effects on your body and mind — some more desirable than others. Once in your body, THC interacts with your ECS by binding to receptors, just like endocannabinoids.
The mechanism, role, and existing literature regarding digital entertainment preferences in the UK cannabinoids in different sleep disorders are summarized in our review. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) advises against the routine use of medical cannabis for treating OSA — citing the limited available data on sleep-disordered breathing. The main pharmacological treatments for RBD are confined to medications such as benzodiazepines and melatonin, though there remains ongoing interest in discovering alternative treatment options.
Always consult your physician or pharmacist to confirm whether CBD is suitable for you. If you are currently on a prescription medication, it is advisable to proceed with caution. Classified as one of the most effective sleep aids for occasional use — melatonin is a hormone that occurs naturally in the body. Note that we said infrequent use.
Avoid using cannabis products if you are pregnant or nursing. “Whenever they experience a night without it, sleep becomes elusive for them.” However, he mentions that it remains unclear whether the effects are due to CBD itself or if the compound aids in other ways. According to Vandrey, individuals with PTSD often report experiencing fewer nightmares while using cannabis. Nevertheless, he points out that research into cannabis and sleep is limited in scope.
There exists moderate evidence suggesting that CBD can enhance conditions like sleep disorders (fibromyalgia pain), muscle spasticity from multiple sclerosis, and anxiety. Since melatonin lacks FDA approval, we advise against consuming CBD that is infused with melatonin. Researchers have yet to identify an optimal dosage or sufficient evidence to prove that CBD is as effective as sleep medications prescribed by doctors. A review conducted in 2023 — which analyzed 34 studies on CBD for insomnia management, found that all studies reported an improvement in insomnia symptoms for at least some participants. A study from 2024 indicated that low-dose CBD is safe and can enhance sleep quality, though its effects do not exceed those of 5 mg of melatonin.
CBD vs Melatonin for Sleep
Multiple pharmacological agents have been investigated and found to have limited therapeutic potential. Before it can be reliably considered a choice for insomnia treatment, larger controlled studies are needed to better evaluate optimal doses as well as effects on various sleep stages. Applicability is also limited due to lack of assessment of dose-related effects. Given limited therapeutic drug options and the potential deleterious health effects of available pharmacological agents, investigation of additional therapeutics is warranted.
Comparing the best CBD gummies for sleep
No content on this site (regardless of date), should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. CBD can also interact with certain medications because it competes for the same liver enzymes that metabolize many common drugs. But with any edible cannabis product (whether it’s a gummy), brownie, beverage, or tincture, people can be more sensitive to it than expected, or might take too much if they’re impatient to feel the effects. Because a tincture is absorbed into the bloodstream relatively quickly (you may feel the effects in 15 to 45 minutes), and they may last several hours.