CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a non-intoxicating compound found in hemp and cannabis believed to interact with receptors throughout the body influencing key processes like pain signaling, mood regulation, immune response, stress adaptation, and sleep cycles. Though clinical research is still limited, preliminary studies suggest CBD holds promise for managing insomnia and improving sleep quality in various ways:
- May positively modulate neurotransmitters involved with sleep/wake cycles like serotonin and GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) based on clinical endocannabinoid deficiency theory and limited studies.
- Shows potential for reducing underlying issues like chronic pain, anxiety, PTSD, and restless leg syndrome that all disrupt healthy sleep architecture and duration.
For example, a cross-sectional study gave CBD treatment alongside lifestyle modifications to over 1,500 subjects suffering from inadequate sleep related to pain and other health issues. After 30 days, over 80% of participants reported improvements in both sleep quality and duration based on self-reported questionnaires.
Why reach for CBD sleep gummies?
With CBD now available in formats like tinctures, vapes, capsules, and edibles, why are gummy forms becoming so popular, especially for sleep? Reasons CBD gummy usage is exploding include:
- Enjoyable method – More fun than swallowing pills and oils
- Precise dosing – Each gummy delivers a set of 5-25mg CBD doses
- Taste great naturally – No more hempy flavor
- Portable for on-the-go use
- Efficient absorption – Bioavailability boost over oil drops
CBD gummies provide all the advantages of edible CBD dosing in an irresistibly flavored and super convenient package.
Choosing top quality CBD gummies
With the CBD market largely unregulated, all gummy products are NOT created equal. Subpar manufacturing processes can result in inconsistent doses of CBD that fail to live up to sleep-promoting claims. When buying CBD sleep gummies, only purchase from manufacturers that:
- Employ clean carbon dioxide or solvent-free extraction methods
- Have their gummies tested for purity and CBD levels by independent labs
- Provide easily accessible third-party lab test reports on their website
Also, look for signs of quality ingredients like natural fruit/vegetable juices versus suspicious “natural flavors”. The highest quality CBD gummies use plant concentrates to add delicious flavor, not sketchy additives.
Finding your optimal gummy dose
Experts recommend starting slowly with CBD dosage when using it for sleep for the first time. Begin with just one 5-15mg gummy eaten about 30 minutes before bedtime. Then give it several days for your body to adjust and judge if one whole gummy provides enough relief or if you should bump up to 1 1⁄2 or 2 gummies. Increase your dosage slowly this way over weeks until desired sleep benefits emerge. Most find the best results with gummies in the range of 10-30mg of CBD per serving. Be sure to keep track of dosage amounts and results including any minor side effects like changes in appetite or fatigue as signs to potentially cut back. While rare, negative reactions are possible with any supplement. Finding your “just right” does take patience but pays off with time.
Setting yourself up for sleep success
For best results, CBD gummies should be combined with an overall healthy sleep plan addressing issues sabotaging your rest. Here are some expert tips:
- Maintain fixed sleep/wake times – even on weekends
- Limit blue light and screens before bed
- Establish phone-free relaxation rituals pre-bed like light yoga or reading
- Optimize your sleep environment – a cool, clean, and quiet refuge
Consider keeping a diary of your nightly habits, so you gradually improve them over several weeks while adding your CBD gummies. Getting better rest requires forming healthy cbd for sleep habits consistently alongside taking supplements.