It’s reported that 1 in 5 Brits sleep a dangerously low amount per night - 5 hours or less. A poor quality or quantity of sleep can cause a variety of mental and physical conditions such as cardiac problems, dementia or diabetes, and a third of Brits suspect that their health conditions are directly linked to their poor sleeping habits. So, it’s hugely important to prioritise good sleep and find routines and rituals that facilitate a healthy 7-9 hours a night. With CBD products flooding the market in a variety of forms, CBD has emerged as a popular natural solution for enhancing sleep quality. Here we’re going to break down the topic to see whether CBD really is a super-powered sleep aid.
What causes poor sleep?
Poor sleep can be caused by either existing health conditions or external factors. It’s important to identify these when understanding your sleep problems and seeking medical advice for any serious conditions as a first step.
Health conditions that impact sleep can include sleep apnea, depression, insomnia or narcolepsy, amongst others. All of these conditions make your sleeping patterns anomalous and break up the healthy 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep that’s recommended. If you don’t have a pre-existing health condition, then external factors may play a part, such as consuming excessive alcohol, tobacco products or caffeine, not enough exercise, too much stress or a lack of bedtime routine. This is where you can implement changes to improve your sleep - so, let’s see if CBD is one of the things that can have a positive impact.
The science behind CBD and sleep
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a non-psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant. It interacts with our body's endocannabinoid system (ECS), which plays a crucial role in regulating various bodily functions, including sleep. Research suggests that CBD can positively influence the ECS, leading to potential sleep improvements.
Does CBD make you sleepy?
CBD is an incredibly versatile ingredient that can make you feel many different things. A lot of this depends on dosage levels. Different CBD dose levels and different forms of CBD, such as CBD drinks or CBD oils, can mean that CBD affects people in different ways, including sometimes helping you ease into a great night’s sleep - especially when you take a high dose of around 50mg. However, at INTUNE, we also love the more “energetic” effects a lifestyle dose of CBD can have, such as increased focus, a sense of balance or feeling present.
Des CBD help with sleep
So, despite the fact INTUNE CBD Drinks were developed to be consumed throughout the day, CBD is known to contribute some pretty convincing benefits to getting a good night’s sleep.
Relaxation and Stress Reduction:
1. CBD is known for its calming properties, making it a great choice for winding down after a long day. By reducing your stress and increasing your relaxation, you’re more likely to sleep soundly.
Improved Sleep Quality:
2. CBD also has the potential to enhance the quality of sleep by helping you have a deeper and more restorative sleep. By incorporating CBD into their nighttime routine, users report feeling more refreshed in the morning.
Sleep-Wake Cycle Regulation:
3. Our bodies rely on a natural sleep-wake cycle, also known as the circadian rhythm, to regulate sleep patterns. CBD can help to support this by increasing relaxation and helping to regulate your sleeping routine.
Should I add CBD to my bedtime routine?
If you're looking for a natural way to improve the quality of your sleep, CBD is a great addition to your routine. CBD can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer, making it easier for you to get a good night's rest. However, CBD alone won’t make up for an underlying medical condition that affects the quality of your sleep.
CBD Drinks will make you fall asleep easier if you take a high dose of CBD just before bed. We designed INTUNE CBD drinks to be drunk any time of day or night, not to induce sleep. That’s where high-dose oils, topical creams, bath bombs and gummies come into the story. For a relaxing CBD drink for sleep, we recommend adding a CBD oil to your nighttime cup of tea or hot chocolate and enjoy the benefits. But when it comes to our INTUNE CBD drinks we like to feel chill but be perky enough to party.
Tips for incorporating CBD into your sleep routine
Start with a low dose:
1. As always, we recommend starting small when you first take CBD. Test a low dose first, then work up to a dose that fits your body’s needs - everyone is different.
Consistency is key:
2. It takes time for your body to adjust to the positive benefits of CBD, so make sure you are consistent with your routine.
Pair CBD drinks with other sleep hygiene practices:
3. To get the most out of your CBD drink for sleep, incorporate other soothing practices such as relaxing essential oils, no phone before bed, and a comfortable temperature in your room.
How much CBD should I take to feel the benefits?
CBD drinks like INTUNE are mostly intended to be used as recreational products, not health supplements. So they will still have the stress relieving effects on your brain but they won’t send you off to sleep - whereas other forms are more beneficial for this use. We love the effects of INTUNE CBD drinks on our nervous systems throughout the day. We find that we’re able to take on the day with fewer ‘ups & downs’ and by bedtime, we’re ready to chill. That’s why we have created INTUNE CBD drinks with a lifestyle dose of 10mg so we can have several throughout the day even in the morning.
Why should I drink INTUNE CBD Drinks, if they won’t help me sleep?
CBD’s effect on sleep can be game-changing for some but CBD has so many benefits beyond the slumber-making ones.
From our INTUNE drinkers and our team, we get lots of feedback on how CBD drinks make them feel. We love the wide range of benefits that people experience – a lot of people particularly crave the focus and ‘zoning in’ effect which they report feeling after they drink INTUNE.
At INTUNE CBD drinks we think the best way to enjoy CBD is in a refreshing soft drink that can be drunk at any time of day. Our priority is to make great-tasting drinks that you can enjoy whether or not you’re keeping an eye on your daily CBD intake. And if you are, you can enjoy INTUNE CBD drinks without worrying about going over the recommended dose (around 60-70mg) or getting sleepy in the middle of an important deadline.
Conclusion
There are many benefits of CBD in various forms - several of which can help contribute towards higher-quality sleep. This is, however, very dependent on the dose you take and the form of the CBD. While we love INTUNE CBD Drinks for their ‘peppy’ benefits throughout the day, incorporating other CBD products, such as CBD Oil into a CBD drink for sleep, can be a great way to switch off at the end of the day. As ever, experiment and find what works best for you!
References: https://www.directlinegroup.co.uk/en/news/brand-news/2022/sleeping-dangerously--7-5-million-brits-have-under-five-hours--a.html#:~:text=One%20in%20seven%20(14%20per,nine%20hours'%20sleep%20a%20night