Help - I need better sleep
BLOG BY THE TRUTH TEAM
“CBD oil could be one of the most powerful natural remedies to promote a restful sleep.”
When you’re well-rested, your life has that extra edge. You can take on the world- suddenly the kids become easier to manage, work is a breeze, and you even start focusing on those little things you’ve been meaning to do!. Sleep’s the ultimate genie in the lamp that can grant you what you want most- A HAPPY LIFE!
But as important as it is, most of us seem to spend our adult lives chasing some decent shuteye. You can’t cheat sleep. Let’s face it: if there was a way to bottle a good night’s rest, we’d all be taking it.
Well our friends across the US have discovered a natural way that beats the chemical options- CBD oil could be one of the most powerful natural remedies to promote a restful sleep[1]!
What is CBD?
You may have heard of CBD, or Cannabidiol. It’s a chemical compound produced by the hemp plant with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and analgesic properties. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the compound that gets you high, CBD is non-psychoactive[2], and totally legal.
Industrial Hemp plants grown specifically for CBD can be cultivated with a high concentration of the compound, and low levels of THC. CBD is then extracted from the plant and used as a concentrate in capsules, drops, vape pens or lotions. This increases efficacy, and means you’ll be 100% clear-headed. Rest assured: you cannot get high from taking a CBD supplement.
So, what does it do?
Humans have an Endocannabinoid System (ECS) - a group of receptors in the brain, central nervous system, organs, glands and immune cells. Your ECS regulates functions like sleep, mood, appetite, memory, immunity, pain and motor control[3]. In a nutshell, it’s responsible for making sure your entire body is working properly.
You can boost your ECS by taking the nutrients it was designed for: cannabinoids. When you do, the body’s control centre speaks properly to every other internal system and functions at its best[4]. Some fruit and vegetables contain cannabinoids, but CBD oil is the most potent form we know.
How does that affect sleep?
Just like cannabis, CBD can aid a good night’s sleep - but without the psychoactive properties or paranoia.
When we’re stressed, the body produces cortisol, the ‘fight or flight’ hormone. Levels of cortisol dip at bedtime to allow the body to relax[5], but if you’re worked up or have trained late at night, you might find it hard to switch off. CBD can help calm the body and mind, relieving stress[6], so you’re likely to fall asleep faster.
Not only that, CBD is also thought to influence the sleep cycle. Sleep is divided into multiple cycles with different phases. Some studies have shown CBD oil to decrease REM sleep, which is the stage where we dream, and increase slow wave sleep[7].
This is the deepest and most restorative phase. Blood supply increases to the muscles, tissue growth and repair occurs, and energy is restored[8]. So, it’s hardly surprising you’re unable to function well without it.
Even the world’s leading athletes have cottoned on to what CBD can do for them. “50 percent of the runners I meet use it” says Avery Collins, an ultramarathon runner who’s completed no less than 30 ultramarathons in the past three years. “And it’s time we all caught up.”
Obviously, a food supplement is no substitute for a balanced lifestyle, so make sure you’re eating a diet that supports your activity level, and getting your hours in the sack each night. If you’re suffering from insomnia, always consult your doctor - it’s usually related to other issues which you should take care of first.
Truth CBD has sourced the highest quality products from the US and have independently tested and verified our quality.
[1] Chagras, M.H., Crippa, J.A., Zuardi, A.W., Hallak, J.E., Machado-de-Sousa, J.P., Hirotsu, C., Maia, L., Tufik, S., and Andersen, M.L. (2013, March). Effects of acute systemic administration of cannabidiol on sleep-wake cycle in rats. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 27(3), 312-6. (http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0269881112474524.)
[2] https://www.projectcbd.org/what-cbd
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endocannabinoid_system
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2241751/
[5] https://sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/what-happens-when-you-sleep/page/0/1
[6] Y-T Hsiao et al., “Effect of cannabidiol on sleep disruption induced by the repeated combination tests consisting of open field and elevated plus-maze in rats,” Neuropharmacology, vol. 62, no. 1 (January 2012): 373–384
[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7028792
[8] https://sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/what-happens-when-you-sleep
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