A staggering number of Americans are affected by at least one sleep disorder. Little wonder more and more people actively seek out solutions for sleep-related problems.
CBD products are among the most sought-after natural sleep aids because they are highly effective, especially when combined with melatonin. But the question is, does CBD make you sleepy or merely make you tired?
Indeed, conventional medications for poor sleep and sleep-related issues tend to have unpleasant side effects like nausea, drowsiness, or dizziness.
Still, it is important to know the potential effects of CBD before using it to improve sleep. And that’s what this quick guide intends to do.
If you’re considering CBD for better sleep but are worried that it might make you sluggish or affect your sleep wake cycle, read on to learn how to use hemp-derived cannabis products without experiencing unwanted reactions.
Is CBD Safe, and What Are Its Benefits?
Cannabidiol or CBD is generally considered safe and well-tolerated in most people, especially when consumed orally as a tablet, tincture, or chewable.
By itself, CBD does not cause a “high” because it is non-psychoactive. Also, there has been no evidence showing any health-related problem associated with CBD in its purest form.
That said, CBD may cause adverse reactions like irritability, nausea, and fatigue in some people. This is especially true when the substance is consumed in a high dose.
While we’re still on the subject of safety, it’s important to mention that hemp-derived CBD products are considered legal in the United States under federal laws, provided they contain less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
However, you should always check with your state laws to avoid running afoul of any regulations regarding controlled substances.
CBD is generally considered safe, but does it offer any special benefits? In other words, why should you consider using cannabis to help you sleep better and help with sleeping disorders?
According to a 2012 study, CBD positively affects the cardiovascular system and heart health. It reduces arterial stiffness, which improves blood flow through the arteries. This can benefit people with high blood pressure ― a common negative effect of excessive lack of quality sleep.
Other potential benefits of CBD use include the following:
- Helps relieve stress and anxiety
- May improve athletic performance
- Boosts a sense of calmness
- Can improve focus
- Helps with managing chronic pain
- Improves recovery from inflammation
Does CBD Make You Sleepy?
Now let’s focus on the meat of the matter: will consuming CBD make you sleepy? Can it help you sleep better?
Truth is, CBD use can reduce anxiety and increase relaxation.
And as you probably already know, a racing mind due to anxious thoughts and an inability to relax are two factors that make restful sleep difficult.
By interacting with receptors in the body, CBD enhances your response to sleep, mood, fatigue, pain, and stress.
You’re not alone if you’re worried about CBD making you sleepy during the day. Some people experience drowsiness and tiredness after taking CBD, and it is common to feel groggy if you consume a higher dose of CBD.
However, cannabis will not make you tired or sleepy during the day if consumed correctly. Instead of making you sleepy and tired, CBD can help calm your mind and improve your focus so you can tackle your daily tasks.
The next section offers suggestions on how to take CBD so that it won’t make you tired and sleepy during the day.
In a nutshell, while more research needs to be done on the topic, anecdotal evidence suggests that CBD aids in better sleep and improved sleep.
Tips on How to Take CBD for Sleep
If you’re looking to use CBD for better sleep but are concerned about feeling tired and drowsy, there’s no need to cut out sleep-related cannabis products altogether.
Simply follow these tips, and you won’t have to worry about unwanted side effects.
Take Moderate Doses for Sleep
If you’re new to CBD, it is usually best to start with low doses to improve sleep.
Most experts recommend roughly 6 mg per 10 lbs of body weight or about 25 mg of CBD per day as a sleep aid.
Remember, each person’s tolerance level is different, and the factors contributing to poor sleep quality varies between individuals. For this reason, start with moderate doses and tweak things to suit your body’s preference as you get the hang of what you can tolerate.
Spread Your Dose Throughout the Day
If CBD makes you tired or sluggish during the day, consider dosing gradually over the day instead of taking one high dose before bed.
For example, you may take 25 mg of CBD at three different times of the day instead of consuming 75 mg right before hitting the sack.
This way, your body is mostly relaxed and can properly manage stress, pain, and anxiety throughout the day, increasing your chances of having a restful sleep at night.
Check the Amount of THC in Your CBD Product
Not all CBD products for sleep are created equal. Although CBD on its own is non-psychoactive, products with high THC can produce excessive sedative effects.
The law allows only trace amounts of THC in hemp-derived CBD products, but some substandard products contain large amounts of THC. And in large doses, THC will likely affect your performance throughout the day, making you sluggish and less willing to take on any high-effort task.
You want to look up third-party reports on a CBD product for sleep to see how much THC it contains. This way, you can avoid purchasing substandard products with high amounts of THC.
Decide Between Full-Spectrum, Broad-Spectrum, and CBD Isolate
Full-spectrum CBD might not work for everyone, particularly those sensitive to THC. If this is you, we recommend trying broad-spectrum CBD products or products made from high-quality CBD isolate.
Typically, broad-spectrum CBD products contain all the cannabinoids and compounds in full-spectrum CBD except THC.
On the other hand, CBD isolate products are made from pure CBD only. They do not contain THC or other compounds and cannabinoids from the plant.
If you are sensitive to THC and don’t want to get “high” or lazy, test out CBD isolates and broad-spectrum CBD to see which one helps you sleep better.
How Long Before You Feel Sleepy After Taking CBD
How quickly CBD makes you sleepy will depend on factors like the amount you consume, your tolerance level, and the product form.
Generally, CBD oil has quicker effects when ingested because the substance goes directly into the bloodstream when placed under the tongue. This can make most people sleepy within 30 minutes or less.
Edible CBD forms like beverages, CBD capsules, and CBD gummies usually take longer to make you sleepy because the substance must be metabolized in the liver before it goes into the bloodstream.
With edible CBD products, you may experience sleepiness within 40 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the quantity consumed and your tolerance level.
Final Verdict: Does CBD Make You Sleepy or Tired?
While we’ll love to give a definitive answer, the truth is that more research needs to be done in that regard.
The good news is that CBD is well-tolerated and usually positively affects sleep. However, you should consider cutting back or completely avoiding full-spectrum CBD if you feel drowsy or tired during the day when you consume a full-spectrum CBD product.
Lastly, always look up the amount of THC in CBD products before using them, especially if you are sensitive to THC.
