THE IMPORTANCE OF SLEEP FOR WOMEN
Very few things can beat the healing power (and downright deliciousness) of a good night’s sleep. So why is sleep important for women?
Restful, deep sleep is so vital for keeping us and our hormones in balance. But biological conditions unique to us, like pregnancy, menstrual cycles, and menopause all impact our ability to sleep. Our hormone levels, lifestyle habits, and environmental factors all come into play.
While we typically get more sleep overall than men, researchers have found that women actually experience lower-quality sleep. Between our different social roles and responsibilities, life can present us with special obstacles that may disrupt our right to rest.
Heard of the endocannabinoid system? This is the biological system CBD interacts with, and it’s responsible for regulating everyday physiological functions including sleep.
The primary homeostatic regulator of our biology, it plays a critical role in the sleep-wake cycle as well as other circadian processes.
So the way we fall asleep, stay asleep, wake up, and remain awake are all regulated by our endocannabinoid system and circadian rhythms.
CBD shows very positive potential as a sleep aid in preclinical and anecdotal data. And cannabis is well-known for its ability to help users fall and stay asleep. But what is it about cannabinoids like CBD specifically that can help women with sleep?
Interestingly enough, studies have found that CBD is actually mildly alerting or stimulating in small doses. But research data and anecdotal reports indicate that CBD has different effects on sleep and can be both alerting or sedating based on the dose. CBD is known to have certain biphasic properties that are dose-dependent, which accounts for these differences. One study found that 160mg of CBD decreased nighttime sleep disturbances and increased the total sleep time, suggesting that high doses may improve the duration and quality.
Struggling with sleep but not so hot on the idea of medication? Studies have shown promising results for CBD being a safe alternative to pharmaceutical sleep medication. These studies also show that CBD may reduce the symptoms of REM behavior disorder and sleep apnea events.
CBD doesn’t just serve as a potential sleep aid but also may work to ease some of the root causes of sleep disruptions like menopause, chronic pain, and mental health conditions.
Let’s take a closer look at how CBD may be beneficial:
All cannabinoid therapy varies from person to person, but this is especially true when it comes to using CBD for sleep.
The results and effectiveness can vary greatly, depending on: the individual and their unique composition, the administration method, product cannabinoid profile, timing, and dosage.
We get it, you have questions. Women who are new to taking CBD for sleep always want to know, “When should I take CBD oil for sleep?” and “How much do I need?” The truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Remember, that small amounts can be alerting – simply take more until you feel the sedating effects.
We recommend self-experimenting with dosage and timing to fine-tune what works for you. It’s a good idea to keep a journal so you can keep track of your dosage, timing, and sleep. This can give you a clear set of data points for creating your optimum CBD regimen for sleep.
Tip: Run out of sheep to count? Try taking a warm bath before bed with our Soak Indulgent CBD Bath Salts, or enjoy a cup of our caffeine-free herbal Harmonizing Bloom Tea with your nightly dose of our powerful Full Spectrum CBD Night Tincture.