Getting adequate amounts of sleep is necessary for proper bodily function. The human body performs better after getting 7-8 hours of sleep because it has a good amount of time to repair itself after a long day’s work. Getting enough rest also is beneficial for the hair and skin, as blood flow occurs during rest, allowing hair strands to be stronger and the collagen in the skin to retain its elasticity. Unfortunately, a great amount of the population is not getting enough rest. So much so that lack of proper rest is becoming an epidemic.
Statistics show that up to 80% of Americans will suffer from fatigue at least once a week. With such high numbers, American citizens need a safe way to ensure a proper night’s rest. While
being tired may seem like a minor setback, think of how being tired can affect everyday functions, like driving. In 2013, 1 in 25 legal aged drivers reported falling asleep while driving. Four percent of the American population may seem like a small number, however, in that year alone, drowsiness while driving caused 72,000 accidents, 44,000 injuries, and 800 deaths.
Overcoming fatigue is not as simple as laying down and catching some z’s. In fact, there are a variety of reasons that you are experiencing fatigue. Whatever the reason, there is a natural solution believed to battle fatigue: CBD. CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is a compound found in marijuana that is also found in hemp plants used to relax you without the psychoactive or “high” effect of THC. In addition to helping people to relax, it also helps with other health conditions, including chronic pain and stress.
Cannabis is a natural medicine that can be traced back to 1500 BC. Now that CBD is shedding its taboo reputation and is even legal in all 50 states, people are starting to jump on the cannabis for healing bandwagon again.
An added benefit of CBD is that unlike prescription medications, it is not addictive. Recent studies believe that CBD directly affects the receptors in the brain to trigger better and longer sleep. The other reasons CBD are a beneficial sleep aid are indirect. An example of this is how well it helps relieve anxiety. When dealing with excess worry, it becomes a lot more difficult to go to sleep as your mind wanders. When you are sleep deprived, it triggers areas of the brain responsible for processing emotions. Essentially, it’s a never-ending cycle as anxiety and lack of sleep trigger each other.
By taking CBD oil, you can remedy your anxiety symptoms, making it easier to sleep. CBD also helps ease pain, which is another leading cause of being unable to sleep. CBD is known to help reduce inflammation, which can be a common cause of pain-related insomnia. This is a great remedy for people suffering from autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis. In smaller doses, CBD also helps with alertness and staying awake. While this may seem counterintuitive, staying awake during the day and getting enough sleep during the night helps stabilize your sleep cycle.
If you suffer from REM sleep behavior disorder, which is a sleep condition that oftentimes creates physically acting out bad dreams using violent physical movements, CBD may be the answer. CBD helps induce the natural paralysis your body experiences during sleep, making it a lot more difficult to harm yourself or your partner while asleep. The same is true for people suffering with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder that struggle with getting rest.
If you do not like taking it in oil form, there is more than one way to reap the benefits of CBD. One way to take CBD is using a vape concentrate. This is the fastest way to get it into your system. Keep in mind, vaping may negatively impact the respiratory system, so use this method wisely. You can also take CBD pills or capsules, which work like aspirins. You can also purchase CBD edibles if you prefer an oral method but don’t want the pill form. Whichever way you decide to use, take your specific body proportions like height and weight into consideration.
Taking too much CBD comes with adverse side effects, including nausea, lightheadedness, low blood pressure, and psychomotor slowing, which means delayed thought and movement. It is also important to speak to a healthcare provider prior to taking any form of CBD. This is especially important if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or currently taking medications. CBD can potentially interfere with medications, causing them to malfunction.
Consider taking CBD for sleep as an investment. By being able to sleep, you’ll physically help your bodily functions, allowing you to perform at a higher level. Getting enough rest also helps keep weight under control, as a large amount of snacking occurs from the overproduction of leptin and ghrelin, which are hunger hormones. Be sure to speak with a healthcare provider prior to purchasing CBD in any form about current health conditions that require medications to avoid adverse side effects that can be potentially harmful or even fatal.
