Sleeping pills and CBD are both effective ways to deal with insomnia and other sleep disorders.
But each one has unique benefits and side effects that set them apart from one another.
Which one is best for you?
Let’s take a look at the similarities and differences between CBD and sleeping pills.
So you can decide which option will work best to treat your sleep disorder or insomnia!
What are sleeping pills?
Sleeping pills are common prescription and over-the-counter medications that can help people with insomnia fall asleep, stay asleep longer, or have a more restful sleep.
The most popular sleeping pills are Ambien, Lunesta, and Sonata.
They’re classified as sedative-hypnotics, meaning they sedate you (make you drowsy) to help you sleep.
Unlike other drugs in this category like Valium, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates, they don’t make the user feel calm or relaxed.
Instead, they cause an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain so that it slows down its activity during the day while we’re awake.
That makes it easier for us to relax at night when our brains would normally be too stimulated by activity during the day.
When these drugs wear off, our bodies will go back to their normal daytime levels of brain activity and stimulation, which means waking up becomes more difficult.
That’s why many people wake up feeling groggy after taking these kinds of drugs.
And even though some of them are less addictive than barbiturates and benzos, there is still a risk of dependence if taken long-term.
For those who have trouble falling asleep, there is another option called cannabidiol oil (CBD).
It’s been studied extensively in recent years and has become recognized as an effective treatment for anxiety disorders, PTSD, depression, and insomnia.
Some studies show that CBD can also reduce cravings due to addiction without the side effects associated with many pharmaceuticals.
There’s no danger of overdose, withdrawal symptoms, or physical dependency and the potential for abuse is negligible.
For anyone trying to get away from using sleeping pills to treat insomnia, CBD may be a better choice.
Is it safe to take sleeping pills?
A lot of people do struggle with insomnia.
If you’re trying to sleep, but no matter what you do, you just can’t get your head on straight. It might be time to look into taking a sleeping pill.
However, if that’s not something you think you can handle or want to try. Cannabidiol (CBD) might be a better option for you.
And the great thing about CBD is that it doesn’t have any side effects, so even if you’re sensitive to some medications, this won’t be an issue.
You’ll also know right away whether or not it’s working because as soon as you take it and lie down in bed, you’ll feel drowsy and sleepy.
So before you start considering taking a sleeping pill, consider the benefits of using CBD instead!
Why use CBD oil instead of sleeping pills?
While sleeping pills can be dangerous to use over a long period of time.
Especially for those who are pregnant or have certain underlying health conditions, CBD oil is a safer and healthier alternative.
Plus, unlike sedatives or sleep aids, making hemp-derived CBD oil doesn’t cause grogginess in day-to-day life.
For example, driving while drowsy is much more dangerous than driving while sober.
In other words, using CBD oil to relax before bed won’t impair your ability to function during the day like other sleeping pills may do.
CBD’s natural benefits are also unparalleled when it comes to pain relief.
Some studies show that CBD can help with chronic pain related to arthritis, cancer, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and even Alzheimer’s disease!
How does CBD oil work for insomnia?
Hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) is an all-natural extract that may help you fall asleep easier and wake up more refreshed in comparison to taking melatonin or prescription sleep aids.
Plus, CBD oil won’t make you groggy like some other sleep aids on today’s market.
If you have trouble sleeping through the night, consider trying out a daily dose of CBD oil before bedtime.
Just remember to keep it below 2 milligrams if you want to avoid getting high.
You can also try incorporating CBD into your nightly routine with a naturally soothing bath, reading by candlelight for 30 minutes, or soaking in lavender essential oils for 10 minutes.
Try not to eat anything two hours before bedtime, too, as this will mess with your body’s natural digestive cycle.
For those who don’t want to take pills at all, we recommend trying CBDistillery’s dropper bottles.
They’re made from food-grade ingredients so they’re safe for consumption without any nasty side effects or THC content.
Most importantly, CBDistillery provides lab reports on every batch of its products.
In this way, customers can be sure that what they’re ingesting is pure and free from pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, and any additives.
You get peace of mind knowing exactly what’s going into your system when you choose CBDistillery over many others in the industry.
The recommended dosage for sleep issues
If you’re struggling with insomnia, experts recommend 1–2 mg of cannabidiol (CBD) taken 30 minutes before bed.
You can take it on its own or with a light snack, like one slice of whole-wheat toast with peanut butter.
If you have trouble falling asleep, don’t increase your dosage without checking in with your doctor first.
The average dose for anxiety disorders is 5 to 10 mg of THC combined with a high dose of CBD.
The average dose for anorexia is 20 mg THC combined with 100mg CBD and the average dose for schizophrenia is 20mg THC combined with 400mg CBD.
Your physician will be able to give you a more specific recommendation based on your needs and condition.
But these doses should serve as a starting point.
Most important tip?
Make sure that you talk with your physician about the potential side effects of any medications they prescribe to make sure that there are no risks involved.
CBD oil for sleep problems
How does cannabis help me sleep?
Using hemp oil for sleep problems works in a few different ways.
First, it acts as an anti-inflammatory to calm down swelling or irritation in body tissues (such as your muscles) and nervous system functions.
Inflammation is often behind various types of pain, including joint and muscle issues.
Next, it relaxes all of your body’s systems, including digestion and mood—which is great if you’re feeling stressed out or anxious before bedtime.
Finally, the cannabinoids bind with receptors throughout the body that make us feel sleepy when activated.
All this means that using CBD oil for sleep problems can be very helpful because it can work in many different ways.
That being said, CBD may not be right for everyone because we all have varying needs and preferences.
So the best thing to do is speak with your doctor first!
