Getting enough sleep is one of the most important factors to living a healthy life. We are going to break down a few key points about sleep, remedies to consider, and how CBD may help.
Why is sleep so important?
When you sleep, your body undergoes many biological processes (including the brain ridding itself of toxic waste, nerve cell communication, and the repairing of cells!).
Sleep allows you to recharge and repair. Without it, your body can’t function at its optimal state!
What does sleep help with?
The better question is, what doesn’t it help with?
Getting a good nights’ rest allows your body to experience:
- Cellular restoration (including muscle repair)
- Brain function improvement (your brain clears out toxins in your brain that build up throughout the day)
- Emotional well-being (the areas of the brain that regulate emotion are more active during sleep)
- Immunity (your body creates special proteins that fight infection and inflammation during sleep)
These processes allow for:
- Better focus
- More energy
- Stronger immune system
- Heightened brain ability
- Improved mood
- Lower stress
Now that we know all the incredible benefits of a good nights’ sleep, we can wait for our head to hit the pillow…
But just wait - it’s not so easy!
How many of us struggle with sleep?
In the US, 70% of adults say that they struggle to sleep at least one night every month and 11% say they struggle to sleep every night.
We live in a busy, demanding world!
It’s no wonder why the odds of being sleep deprived (i.e. less than 6 hours per night for an adult) is on the rise.
What are the effects of not getting enough sleep?
Honestly, there are too many to list! A lack of sleep effects many processes within your mind and body.
A few of the main side effects of sleep deprivation include:
- Mood changes and instability
- Inability to focus
- Feeling tired and fatigued
- High blood pressure
But don’t despair! There are many things you can do to help your body achieve a better nights’ sleep.
What remedies may help you get better sleep?
The good news is that there are many ways to help improve your sleep in a straight-forward, natural way. Here are some examples:
- Avoid caffeine after 2pm each day
- Exercise daily
- Turning off devices at least 30 minutes before bedtime
- Creating a relaxing nighttime routine such as journaling, reading, or a taking bath
- Make sure your room is dark, quiet, and cool in temperature
CBD vs Sleep
Now more than ever we are all looking for natural ways to support our mind and body to promote balance and harmony within (including better sleep!).
CBD oil in particular has grown in its popularity as a natural remedy to help with sleep.
Let’s talk a little more about what CBD is…
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally occurring compound found cannabis sativa plants, a species that includes hemp and marijuana. These plants have been used as natural medicines dating back thousands of years!
How does CBD work to support sleep?
Research on the effects that CBD has on sleep disorders is still preliminary. Saying that, research has been promising!
The keep it simple, CBD has been shown to be effective at helping ease anxiety (which is often a culprit of contributing to a poor nights’ sleep). Helping calm nerves and ease stressors and anxieties can allow for your body to enter a sleep state more easily.
One study also found that CBD helped manage REM sleep behavior disorder systems (rapid eye movement stage of sleep). After implementing CBD oil, the participants in the study only experienced negative disorder symptoms 0-1 times per week (compared to 2-7 times per week before using CBD oil).
Overall, CBD helps contribute to a more balanced internal system in your body. The positive effects of a body in a state of homeostasis can trickle down to several biological processes in the body, including sleep.
How much CBD oil do I need to start getting better sleep?
Long story short - there is no “one size fits all” when it comes to CBD dosing and sleep.
Dosing is highly dependent on each individual and their body’s needs. Some need less, others need more to achieve their desired effects.
Here at Pure Fin, we suggest starting at a low dose with our CBDa oil (such as 10-15mg) and working your way up from there until you find your dosage “sweet spot.” While experimenting with finding your unique dose, keep track in a journal (or something as simple as a note to yourself in your iPhone!) on how you feel each day with a particular dose. This can create a clear guideline and reference point to the amount of CBD oil you need for your unique body chemistry to feel your best. Check out our blog on dosage for more information.
A little extra effort up front can pay dividends in the long run! Finding the proper dose of CBD oil your body requires is a key component to your success with using it.
CBD oil versus CBDa oil for sleep support – what’s the difference?
Here at Pure Fin, all our products feature CBDa (not CBD). We will break down some differences for you…
CBD and CBDa are two of the many compounds produced by cannabis and hemp.
CBDa is essentially the raw form predecessor to CBD. It is less processed and closer to its natural plant state than CBD. Essentially speaking, CBDa represents the highest level of purity that can be reached within the CBD industry.
Why choose CBDa?
Studies have shown that CBDa is more potent and bioavailable than CBD. This means that CBDa can work more effectively than CBD and at lower dosages.
In some applications, CBDa has been shown to be 1000x more effective than CBD (yes, you read that right)!
Not to mention CBDa is less processed and more environmentally friendly than the standard CBD available on the market today.
In closing
Although you’re bound to run into sleep issues at some point in your life, there are many ways you can help support your mind and body to achieve quality sleep again.
Cheers to a good nights’ rest,
Ciara & Tracy (co-founders of Pure Fin)
Disclaimer: Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Pure Fin does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Sources:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30624194/
https://www.healthline.com/health/why-do-we-sleep#immunity
https://kidshelpline.com.au/teens/issues/why-sleep-so-important
https://www.healthline.com/health/why-do-we-sleep#lack-of-sleep
https://www.sleephealth.org/sleep-health/the-state-of-sleephealth-in-america/
https://www.sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/cbd-and-sleep
