CBD for Restless Leg Syndrome - How it Works
RLS is a disorder, also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, that causes a person to feel unpleasant sensations in the legs that may seem tingly, crawly, or creepy. These uncomfortable feelings are accompanied by an overwhelming urge to move the legs. What’s more, they usually happen when a person is sitting or lying down, and often at night. For these reasons, RLS can adversely affect people’s ability to sleep and their overall quality of life.
Naturally, people with RLS will want solutions to minimize the symptoms, one of which could be CBD.
It is important to know that CBD oil is not a cure for RLS. However, it can be part of a treatment plan, as it can help greatly with the symptoms that RLS exhibits. There are several ways CBD is beneficial for someone that has issues with RLS, and making it easier to live life with a disorder like RLS is incredibly crucial.
Important Notes About Using CBD Oil for RLS
Firstly, CBD does not contain any significant amount of THC from the plant when the CBD is harvested (even full spectrum CBD). This means that it will not create an intoxicating effect, nor will it become addictive. Our point? You’re safe to incorporate CBD into a daily treatment plan for RLS.
Though CBD is able to mitigate pain, it works from inside the body with the CB1 and CB2 receptors of the endocannabinoid system to affect the immune and nervous systems. It does not make you feel a “high”, and it does not mask the symptoms of RLS for relief.
The bottom line when taking CBD for RLS: you should always be in consultation with your primary care physician or a specialist when it comes to long-term treatment for RLS. Your doctor should know about any OTC products you use, and we do not recommend using CBD products as a substitute for your doctor-prescribed treatment plan.
How CBD Can Help You Handle RLS
CBD helps with relaxation and sleep prep: CBD helps to release tension and stress, two things that can stop you from being able to relax and put both mind and body at ease during the night. RLS can also add anxiety, which only makes it harder to let go and prepare for sleep. CBD can also be taken fairly close to bedtime. As a natural ingredient, it fosters relaxation and aids in a better sleep cycle. Better yet, CBD can safely be combined with other natural sleep aids, like melatonin (check out our CBD sleep spray for an all-in-one solution).
CBD enhances muscle massages: CBD accesses the immune and nervous systems to reduce whole-body inflammation and pain; add this wonder-ingredient to a massage, and the results are amazing. Massage, whether with heat or cold, not only improves circulation, but also releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter and hormone that stimulates pleasure and enables normal body movements. In turn, the CBD-fueled massages can help mitigate the discomfort of RLS.
How to Find the Ideal CBD Dose for RLS if Taken Orally
CBD can be applied externally, ingested, or taken sublingually. Sublingual usage means that the CBD is put under the tongue, and a short amount of time is needed to allow the CBD to absorb into the CB receptors in the mouth. While the remainder of the CBD can usually be swallowed after absorption, sublingual does not go through the normal digestive and metabolic processes like other oral elements like pills, infusions, and gummies. For these reasons, sublingual usage of CBD is arguably the most effective for full-body results.
A reputable CBD product will have dosing instructions on the packaging or bottle, and it’s best to follow what is printed. Keep in mind though, that CBD is non-addictive, and you cannot overdose on it, so it is possible to customize your dosage. If you’re using CBD for the first time, you may want to start with a lower dosage than indicated, and work your way higher, as you determine the level that helps with your RLS symptoms. For more guidance, read How Much CBD to Take for Pain - Dosage Tips.
You may also need to calibrate according to your body weight. A higher dosage may be needed for a variety of reasons that include weight, how active you are, and how you metabolize the oral product. You may also want to modify your preferred CBD oil dosage based on the severity of your current RLS symptoms.
Interested in purchasing CBD oil for your RLS symptoms? We recommend the Elite Elixir. Containing only full-spectrum CBD and hemp oils, it comes from organically-grown, American hemp. What’s more, offering 1,500mg of CBD, it’s more powerful than many other options on the market.
Other Ways to Use CBD for RLS
Topical muscle balms with CBD are formulated to reduce inflammation and pain when applied externally, to help to relax muscles and joints. There’s evidence that CBD can also regulate immune responses that may include the crawling feeling associated with RLS. They can be applied at any point during the day or night to help ease symptoms. Botanika Life’sUltra-Relief Pain Rub has 1500mg of full-spectrum CBD, along with soothing menthol, and numbing lidocaine for near-instant relief.
Bath bombs like Botanika Life’s CBD Bath Bombs relax the whole body, with 100mg of full-spectrum CBD in each bath bomb. Providing a calming effect for the mind and body, through proven ingredients lavender, eucalyptus, sandalwood, and rose, these are a perfect addition to a night routine that could mitigate RLS symptoms before bed.
The Cryo massage roller provides a cooling element that facilitates calming the immune response and RLS-related sensations. What’s more, it helps relax muscles.
For a true treat for your RLS, combine the cryo massage roller with a CBD-based serum. For an all-in-one set, check out the Pain Relief Kit Box With CBD & Cryo Massage Roller.
Want to Learn About Other Wellness Benefits of CBD?
RLS isn’t the only condition with which CBD oil can assist. Other articles which dive deep into this plant-based ingredients’ abilities include:
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