CBD for Sleep: How It Works

Updated on November 23, 2021

The market for cannabidiol (CBD) has been growing at a large rate over the last few years, ever since it was legalized by the 2018 Farm Bill. Globally, the CBD market was valued at $2.8 billion as of 2020, and it is forecasted to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 21.2% between 2021 and 2028, making it one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. 

This is why there are so many new startup companies that are selling various CBD products, or manufacturing their own. Other companies are making it easy as well, with white label and wholesale businesses providing various CBD products, along with easy to use Cannabis Packaging for merchandising. 

Part of the large growth is due to CBD’s versatility as a supplement, with clinically proven benefits for everyday health and wellness issues. One of the most significant things it has been shown to help with is sleep, so much that it is used for people with insomnia and PTSD, as well as Parkinson’s and other serious health issues. Below is a more comprehensive look at how CBD works:

Circadian Rhythm

The core of the benefits CBD provides is by interacting with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is part of the nervous system. Within the ECS are special receptors, which help control the production of neurotransmitters to control important bodily functions. This can include things like pain, appetite, mood, and sleep. 

These neurotransmitters and the ECS are modulated by your circadian rhythm, which is your body’s natural clock, governing functions such as hunger and sleep. Factors that can interrupt or throw off your circadian rhythm include traveling to different time zones, stress hormones, and more. 

CBD binds to the receptors in your ECS to regulate your circadian rhythm in a stronger manner. The ultimate effect is that you feel more tired at night, helping you fall asleep easier.

Interruptions and Distractions

Internal distractions like pain, stress, discomfort, and anxiety can all cause problems with sleep. CBD is also able to help with such issues. When it binds to the receptors in the ECS, CBd can diminish pain signals if you have a chronic pain issue, or just have soreness from everyday issues. It also reduces your inflammation response, from both acute injuries and chronic inflammation disorders like arthritis. 

For mental health, CBD helps increase the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that makes you feel happy, calm and relaxed. If you are someone who can’t sleep due to anxious thoughts, taking CBD before bed can help your mind de-stress so you aren’t distracted when trying to fall asleep.

These are the two mechanisms from which CBD can help you get a better sleep. These benefits have helped CBD emerge as an aggressively growing industry, and explains why there is still much more opportunity for new businesses to begin and thrive. One note of caution is that while CBD has minimal side effects on its own, it can have a bad reaction with some prescriptions. If you are on any medication, be sure to check with your doctor before trying CBD.

The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.