CBD: A Natural Alternative to Prescription Sleep Aids

person Larry Ostrovsky
calendar_today Nov 15, 2022

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), one in three American adults doesn't get enough sleep. A lack of sleep can have serious consequences, including an increased risk of chronic disease, weight gain, and poor mental health. [1]

If you’re struggling to get a good night’s rest, you may be considering taking a sleep aid...

But did you know there is a natural alternative to prescription sleep aids?

Cannabidiol (CBD) may help you get the restful night’s sleep you need without the side effects of conventional sleep aids. (Click to tweet)

In this article we will cover:

1. How to Tell If You Are Not Getting Quality Sleep
2. Why Can't We Sleep?
3. How Pain Impacts Sleep
4. How Stress and Anxiety Impact Sleep
5. How Deficiencies Impact Sleep
6. The Benefits of Using a Natural Sleep Aid Over Prescription Medications
7. Introducing a Natural Solution
8. How Does Liposomal CBD for Sleep Compare to Other Sleep Aids?
9. How to Take CBD for Sleep
10. FAQs about Our Liposomal CBD for Sleep
11. Final Thoughts

1. How to Tell If You Are Not Getting Quality Sleep

Several symptoms can indicate that you are not getting enough sleep. The most obvious ones are feeling tired throughout the day; difficulty focusing; feeling irritable or anxious; or struggling to keep up with your normal activities. [2]

However, as you stack up a few bad nights of sleep the symptoms can start to worsen into:

headaches
dizziness
weakness
depression
anxiety
major changes in mood
slowed reaction time
problems with judgment and decision-making

If left untreated, some of the most severe consequences of long-term sleep deprivation are high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack, heart failure, or stroke. Other potential issues include obesity, depression, reduced immune system function, and lower sex drive.

Your body runs off its ability to take the time while you sleep to restore and repair itself. Without quality sleep we cannot function, so even if you are only feeling a little tired, think about how long you have felt this way... now imagine the long-term impact it could be having on your health.

Not getting enough sleep can lead to feeling tired, irritable & anxious; and unable to focus or keep up with normal activities.

2. Why Can't We Sleep?

There are many reasons why people have difficulty sleeping. Pain, anxiety, stress, and deficiencies can all keep us up at night. [3]

In addition, there are several environmental factors that can impact our sleep–noise, light, and temperature–can all disturb our slumber. [4]

Finally, some behavioral factors can keep us from getting the shut-eye we need. Watching TV or working on the computer in bed can keep us up long into the night.

While we can't do anything about environmental or behavioral reasons, there is a natural solution for the rest.

Why can't you sleep?

3. How Pain Impacts Sleep

Pain can keep us up at night for several reasons. [3]

When we are in pain, our body is working hard to fight it, and that takes energy.
When we are in pain, it can be difficult to get comfortable and relax.
Finally, pain can cause stress and anxiety, which can also interfere with our ability to sleep.

How Pain Impacts Sleep

How can CBD Help with Pain?

Your body's endocannabinoid system is responsible for managing a variety of functions, including mood, hunger, pain, and sleep.

When you take CBD, it interacts with your body's endocannabinoid system to help regulate these functions.

For example, CBD can increase the body's levels of anandamide, a compound associated with regulating pain, which can reduce pain perception and improve mood.

CBD oil is especially promising due to its lack of intoxicating effects and a possibly lower potential for side effects than many other pain medications. [5] (Click to tweet)

4. How Stress and Anxiety Impact Sleep

When we are stressed, our mind races and it can be difficult to relax enough to fall asleep. Anxiety can also cause restlessness and make it difficult to settle down.

How Stress and Anxiety Impact Sleep

How can CBD Help with Stress and Anxiety?

As mentioned above, CBD works via the receptors in your endocannabinoid system. These receptors are protein-based chemical structures that are attached to your cells. They work by receiving signals from different stimuli.

Although the precise mechanisms are not yet fully understood, it is thought that CBD may affect serotonin signals by interacting with CB1 receptors in the brain.

The neurotransmitter, serotonin, plays an important role in regulating your mental health. Low serotonin levels are often found in people with depression, and a lack of the chemical may also cause anxiety.

A conventional way to treat low serotonin levels is with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), such as sertraline (Zoloft) or fluoxetine (Prozac), but these come with a host of possible side effects and long-term complications, not to mention the fact that you could become highly dependent on them.

This is why so many have turned to CBD as a natural alternative. [6][8]

However, you should talk to your doctor before making changes to your treatment plan.

5. How Deficiencies Impact Sleep

The two most common deficiencies linked to poor-quality sleep are GABA and melatonin.

GABA

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a chemical messenger in the brain that's involved in regulating nerve cells and sleep. GABA helps to induce relaxation and sleep. It's also known to play a role in anxiety control. Basically, GABA helps us relax and fall asleep faster. [7]

Melatonin

Melatonin is known as the "sleep hormone" because it helps regulate sleep and wake cycles. Levels of melatonin naturally rise in the evening as darkness approaches, signaling the body that it's time to wind down and sleep. Melatonin also helps regulate other aspects of circadian rhythms, such as body temperature and the release of certain hormones. Melatonin production gets disrupted by blue light in the environment before sleep (think phone, computer, TV).

However, there are a few natural sleep aids that when used together create a holistic experience designed to give you an optimal sleep cycle naturally. These include:

5-HTP

5-HTP is a precursor to serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, sleep, and appetite. Some people use 5-HTP supplements to increase serotonin levels and promote better sleep. One small study showed that 5-HTP improved sleep quality and reduced the amount of time needed to fall asleep. [7]

Valerian Root

Valerian root is a plant that has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for sleep problems. It's thought to work by increasing the production of GABA, which helps to calm the nervous system and promote relaxation. Some research suggests that valerian may be effective at improving sleep quality and reducing the amount of time needed to fall asleep.

Passionflower

Passionflower is a plant that has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for sleep problems. It's thought to work by increasing the production of GABA, which helps to calm the nervous system and promote relaxation. Some research suggests that passion flowers may be effective at improving sleep quality and reducing the amount of time needed to fall asleep. Passionflower is sometimes also used to treat anxiety.

WATCH: Advanced Sleep Formula with CBD and Melatonin

6. The Benefits of Using a Natural Sleep Aid Over Prescription Medications

While prescription medications can be effective at helping us sleep, they come with several risks. These risks include addiction, morning grogginess, and long-term side effects.

CBD is a natural alternative that comes with no risk of addiction or long-term side effects. CBD is also non-toxic, so it is safe for long-term use. (Click to tweet)

CBD oil is available in many different forms, including tinctures, capsules, and topicals. It can be used alone or in combination with other medications. (Click to tweet)

7. Introducing a Natural Solution

Liposomal CBD is a new and innovative way to take CBD. What makes it unique is that it is made by placing CBD into liposomes, which are tiny spheres of lipids (fats). This makes the CBD more bioavailable, meaning that more of it is absorbed into your body at a faster rate.

To target sleep issues specifically we have taken liposomal CBD and combined it with melatonin, GABA, 5-HTP, valerian root, and passionflower–powerful natural sleep aids, well known for their ability to promote quality sleep. (Click to tweet)

8. How Does Liposomal CBD for Sleep Compare to Other Sleep Aids?

When taken before bedtime, liposomal CBD can help to promote restful sleep. Unlike other sleep aids, it is non-addictive and does not cause grogginess or other side effects. (Click to tweet)

Additionally, CBD has other potential health benefits, such as reducing inflammation and anxiety. For these reasons, liposomal CBD may be a better choice than other sleep aids for long-term use.

9. How to Take CBD for Sleep

For best results follow the steps below:

Take at night and be consistent with your doses. You may not see results immediately, so give it time to work by using it daily for at least two weeks.
Start with a low dose and increase gradually as needed.

If you take liposomal CBD consistently and give it time to work, you should start to see results soon.

RELATED: How Much CBD for Sleep?

10. FAQs about Our Liposomal CBD for Sleep

What is liposomal CBD?

CBD is a naturally occurring compound found in the hemp plant. Unlike its cousin, THC, CBD does not have any psychoactive properties.

Liposomal CBD is a unique formulation of CBD that is designed to maximize absorption and bioavailability. Unlike other forms of CBD, liposomal CBD is suspended in a phospholipid bilayer, which helps it to be more easily absorbed by the body. (Click to tweet)

How does it taste?

Liposomal CBD has a pleasant orange-pineapple flavor, making it a great option for those who are a bit taste-sensitive to traditional CBD tinctures.

Can it be combined with other CBD products?

Yes! It can be taken with other forms of CBD, and it is non-addictive and non-toxic. You cannot overdose on any of the ingredients in liposomal CBD, and it will not make you sleepy in the morning.

11. Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a natural alternative to prescription sleep aids, CBD may be worth trying. CBD is thought to reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality without any of the side effects associated with conventional sleep aids. (Click to tweet)

While more research is needed to understand the full effects of CBD on sleep, it is generally considered safe to take.

Be sure to talk to your doctor first before trying CBD for sleep.

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