A component known as cannabinol (CBN) was found in a randomized trial published in Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology in 2024 to potentially enhance sleep and decrease nighttime awakenings. Since the majority of clinical trials measured results after a minimum of four weeks, relying on a single dose taken one night is unlikely to provide significant insights into the long-term efficacy of CBD for you. When using an edible version, you should allow approximately 90 minutes for it to take effect. One of its primary drawbacks is that it does not enhance deep sleep or tackle the fundamental issues that may cause nighttime awakenings. By supplementing with it (you can shorten the time required to fall asleep and potentially reset an irregular sleep-wake cycle), making it beneficial for situations like jet lag, shift work, or a bedtime that has shifted too late.
If there’s any THC in a CBD product that you use, then you could test positive for THC and fail a drug test. Before using any CBD product — you should protecting data on restricted platforms speak to your doctor to come up with a safe dosage plan that works for you. So, it is best to talk to your doctor before taking CBD if you are taking other medications.
Endocannabinoids (also called endogenous cannabinoids), are molecules made by your body. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex cell-signaling system that helps regulate your body functions — including sleep and mood, among others. Prioritize safety by choosing reputable products and adjusting your dosage thoughtfully to achieve the best results for a restful night’s sleep.
Notify your healthcare provider if you are currently breastfeeding or intend to do so. Inform your healthcare provider if you are expectant or have plans to become pregnant. CBD may interact with other medicines and supplements. Please inform your healthcare provider if you are experiencing any of the following conditions.
Initial research on CBD and sleep disorders indicates the potential for favorable results. Despite offering valuable insights into the relationship between medical cannabis and sleep disorders — this study presents a low level of evidence due to its design. Our analysis of cannabis usage among patients suffering from sleep disorders points to some advantages, as subjective reports from patients indicated improvements in insomnia and a reduction in the use of prescription sleeping aids. During follow-ups with either a pharmacist or nurse practitioner at Hybrid Pharm, 21% of patients indicated a reduction in their prescription medication use, while 18% successfully discontinued medications prescribed for sleep or related comorbidities. In the initial onboarding questionnaire for patients (87% indicated that their sleep disorder impacted their daily activities), ultimately affecting their quality of life.
Having said that, some interesting early research suggests that CBD may reduce appetite and have other weight loss benefits. Since CBD can increase endocannabinoid levels, it may be able to help correct this deficiency and have a positive effect on migraines and other conditions as a result. For example — a 2023 study in mice found that CBD reached some parts of the brain involved in migraine pain and reduced some inflammatory and pain-related processes involved in migraines (75) Overall, the current study supports the notion that CBD can offer positive outcomes in cancer treatment. THC-only treatment had no significant effect, whereas the combination of CBD and THC reduced pain by 30% or more in 43% of the study participants (60).
CBD’s also been investigated for its potential in improving symptoms in immune diseases (cancer), neurological disorders and many other illnesses.2 6 CBD also interacts with numerous other receptors around the body that are involved in a variety of important functions. As ECS receptors are found throughout the body and involved in regulation of diverse processes, when a person takes CBD it’s likely going to influence these processes. CBD is called an exogenous cannabinoid , exocannabinoid, meaning that it’s made outside of the body. So in the ECS, the endocannabinoids bind to the receptors of the ECS and through this binding they bring about changes in the body. Endocannabinoids bind to receptors of the ECS throughout the body.
Also (although vaping is considered much safer than smoking), there’s growing evidence that it carries some health risks. Oral CBD can also take a long time to start working, depending on how much and when you eat. There isn’t one best method of introducing CBD into your body because they all have their advantages and disadvantages.
CBD gummies for sleep can be a valuable part of your nighttime routine. “They don’t leave me groggy in the morning, like melatonin does, and within 15 to 20 minutes, I can feel them working. They really help me relax and drift off to, and stay — asleep.” And, while there is a lot of positive talk about cannabis, there are risks—especially if you’re over 55. Again, please discuss your use of CBD or any other supplements with your doctor to make sure that it won’t affect any other medicines you take. Talk to your doctor before using CBD, especially if you’re taking other medications that could interact with CBD.
Until recently — this plant-based substance was classified in a way that made research difficult due to a lack of federal funding. Research16 has found that endocannabinoids may protect the brain from symptoms related to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition that causes abnormal patterns of breathing while asleep. They found an increase in total sleep time and a decrease in the amount of nighttime awakenings.12 In a systematic review11 of cannabidiol and insomnia management, research suggests that CBD , either on its own or with THC, could help with insomnia symptoms.
There’s also evidence that CBD may help reduce feelings of anxiety3, which can indirectly improve sleep if anxiety is what’s keeping you up at night. Currently (CBD products are considered to be supplements), which aren’t FDA-regulated and thus can be of abysmal quality. Even major drugstore chains have announced they will start carrying CBD products in certain states.