CBD Sleep Products – The Ultimate Guide
Getting a good night’s sleep is essential for both your physical and mental health. Research suggests that adults need at least 7 hours of quality sleep a night to ensure proper memory function, a healthy immune system, and sufficient energy for the day.
CBD sleep products have become increasingly popular to aid in falling and staying asleep, which is no surprise since roughly 70% of Americans struggle in this area.
Not only do CBD-based products help with sleep cycles, but it also addresses many common issues that inhibit people from attaining adequate rest. CBD can mitigate pain and inflammation, stress, anxiety, and restless leg syndrome, which are all issues that stand in the way of a restful night’s sleep.
Research shows promise in the areas of sleep disorders such a REM sleep behavior disorder, insomnia, and sleep apnea in terms of CBD’s positive effects. CBD products also assist with the sleep-wake cycle by improving your circadian rhythm, your 24-hour biological cycle that controls bodily functions such as body temperature, sleep, and metabolism.
How CBD Sleep Products Work
The sleep-promoting effects of CBD are caused by its interaction with the cannabinoid receptors in the brain and body through what is known as the endocannabinoid system. When the components of CBD, known as cannabinoids, bind to these receptors, they send messages to increase levels of sleep-promoting adenosine and suppress the brain’s arousal system.
The combination of these effects induces feelings of relaxation, sleepiness, and sedation. Rest assured that there are no psychoactive effects of CBD as it contains less than 0.3% THC.
Different Types of CBD Sleep Products
Sublingual CBD sleep products
Administering CBD products sublingually, or under the tongue, is an effective method for inducing relaxation and sleep, as it allows you to feel the effects more quickly than with other forms of CBD.
Why? Using CBD sublingually allows it to be absorbed through the capillaries under the tongue, bypassing the digestive system and almost immediately entering into your bloodstream. This is one of the best ways to consume CBD sleep products because more CBD is absorbed into the bloodstream via sublingual consumption than other administration methods at a quicker rate.
Benefits from ingesting CBD sublingually can be seen in as little as 10-15 minutes, making it one of the best sleep products to add to your nighttime routine.
CBD sleep spray
Sleep sprays can deliver fast-acting, all-natural relief for falling asleep. By applying CBD sleep spray products under your tongue, the ingredients are immediately absorbed through the capillaries in your mouth, allowing CBD to quickly enter your bloodstream.
Other reasons to opt for a sleep spray? The spray mechanism is easier to deliver the same, purposeful amount per use than if you apply CBD oil using a dropper. Additionally, some can come with pleasant flavoring; for example, Botanika Life’s CBD sleep spray can be described as “minty.”
The best CBD spray product will contain a blend of sleep-inducing ingredients such as melatonin, lavender, magnesium, or GABA, providing added benefits by working synergistically with CBD to offer fast and easy relief for sleeplessness.
CBD oil
CBD oil tinctures are one of the best CBD products for sleep due to their dosage flexibility. Starting with a low dose and working your way up, you can easily alter the amount of CBD you ingest. What’s more, the simplicity of a CBD elixir —which contains only the CBD and a carrier oil—allows for versatile usage beyond merely encouraging relaxation. Use it to steady nerves, combat pain, or even apply it to your skin, day or night.
Sublingual CBD products typically come in a tincture bottle in sizes ranging from 1 to 4 ounces. Use the tincture dropper to put CBD drops under your tongue and hold in your mouth for up to 60 seconds before swallowing. The area under your tongue includes tiny blood vessels, allowing the CBD to easily absorb in your body.
Edible CBD sleep products
CBD edibles such as candies, cookies, brownies, or other foods are also options for inducing relaxation and curbing anxiety and the potential for panic attacks. However, they are not the most common forms of CBD for promoting sleep.
Edible CBD products are processed through the digestive system, meaning it takes longer to reap the benefits. Ingesting CBD via edibles offers less benefit than methods like sublingual application because less CBD enters your bloodstream after being processed through your gastrointestinal tract. It is also difficult to monitor the concentration and dosage when taking CBD edible products.
CBD Gummies
CBD Gummies are edible candies that contain CBD oil and are a convenient CBD sleep product. Offered in a variety of flavors and concentrations of CBD, gummies provide a discreet and easy option for pre-bedtime relaxation. Since gummies contain a specific dosage, they may be a good option for someone worried about trying CBD oil; however, there are a few significant factors to keep in mind.
Taking CBD via gummies and similar edible sleep products means that the CBD has to be digested in your system, causing lower bioavailability than using an oil or spray. In short, this means that some of the CBD products’ benefits are lost through digestion and also take longer to work. CBD gummies can take 45 minutes to 1 hour to begin working, which is much longer than other methods.
CBD Capsules
CBD sleep products are also available in oral capsule form. As with edibles and gummies, ingesting CBD this way causes a delay in the onset of effects since the CBD is processed through the digestive system first.
CBD capsules do offer a convenient and discreet way to take CBD, knowing that the dosage and concentration are the same every time.
Inhaled CBD sleep products
Vaping or smoke inhalation of CBD is one of the methods for experiencing its effects quickly. Onset of benefits and absorption of CBD in the bloodstream from inhaling CBD oil avoids your digestive system.
Although you may feel the effects of inhaling CBD, this method needs more control over your dosage in both the amount and concentration of CBD you are taking in.
CBD bath bombs
Adding CBD oil alone into your pre-bedtime bath won't offer benefits because the oil does not dissolve in water. However, there are viable options for a nighttime soak.
CBD bath bombs should include ingredients that make CBD water-soluble, allowing your skin to absorb it effectively. These bath bombs can provide a relaxing and nourishing whole-body experience, promoting relaxation and sleep. Additionally, they offer hydration and other natural benefits, enhancing your bedtime routine.
CBD pillow mist
Pillow mists made with essential oils and CBD oil can help promote a good night's sleep by relaxing and calming your mind and body. Spritzing therapeutic CBD spray on your pillow that includes natural oils such as lavender, vanilla, chamomile, or sandalwood can help you clear your mind from the day's stress. However, this is potentially the least effective CBD sleep product available.
What to Look for in CBD Sleep Products
Higher concentration
When it comes to CBD concentration, paying attention to details is a must. Concentration level refers to the percentage of CBD in the product. Choosing a sleep-enhancing CBD product that is highly concentrated will give you more bang for your buck, as you’ll need to use less to produce the desired effect.
Organically grown CBD
The benefits of choosing certified organic CBD sleep products cannot be overstated. Organic CBD is grown and processed without synthetic additives, pesticides, or fertilizers, thus ensuring your products are pure and safe. Not only is organic CBD of higher quality and likely more potent, but it is also better for the environment.
Lab-tested CBD sleep products
A CBD company's transparency in sourcing, production, and lab testing indicates that its products are high-quality and clean. Quality organic CBD oil is verified through third-party testing, which uses an independent lab to analyze the potency and purity of every product. This testing offers assurance that the CBD sleep product does not contain harmful contaminants and includes accurate concentration levels.
Blend with other effective ingredients
CBD isn’t the only effective sleep aid on the market. Ideally, your choice of sleep product will combine CBD with other naturally sourced ingredients like melatonin, magnesium, and GABA for a well-balanced experience.
By Emily Wegener
With a unique background as an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Masters Degree in Teaching and experience in Psychology, Emily spends much of her time researching and trying out new holistic healing modalities.
