Top 10 Best CBD Oil Products for Sleep Aid & Insomnia (2023 Update)
Sleep-related problems affect 50 to 70 million Americans every year, according to the National Sleep Foundation. That means roughly one in every five Americans suffers sleeping issues each year.
This is a concerning metric when you consider just how vital sleep is for our health. Insufficient sleep can affect everything from cognitive function to cardiovascular health.
Getting deep and restful sleep is difficult to achieve when we’re stressed, have small children or infants, or are anticipating an important meeting or presentation the following day.
At A Glance: Our Top 3 Picks for CBD Oil Products for Sleep Aid & Insomnia
And then I discovered CBD oil.
Don’t get me wrong, CBD oil isn’t some kind of a magic pill that will turn you on and off on demand. Instead, it’s a very versatile tool that can help you regulate your sleeping patterns and put you in the right frame of mind to help you fall asleep naturally.
In this article, we’ll discuss why CBD is so popular for helping people get a good night’s rest, how to use CBD oil effectively, and provide a list of the best CBD oils for sleep.
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
| Most Potent  | Royal CBD
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| Best Organic Formula  | Gold Bee
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 | CBDPure
| CHECK BEST PRICE → |
Best CBD Oil For Sleep — Top 10 Brands Reviewed in 2023
CBD oil needs some time to take effect. Supplementation with CBD should be considered a long-term investment in your health rather than a miracle short-term cure for all your problems.
I’ve tried a ton of different CBD oils out there in search of something that could help with my anxiety and sleeping issues. Here’s a collection of the CBD oil brands I’ve found to offer the best support when it comes to sleeping issues.
1. Royal CBD (Most Potent for Sleep)
Get 15% off all Royal CBD products. Use code “CFAH” at checkout.
Technical Details:
| Total CBD Content | 250 – 2500 mg |
| Available Flavors | Natural, Peppermint, Vanilla, Berry |
| Potency | 8.3 – 83.3 mg/mL |
What I Like About Royal CBD:
Most of the time, I approach new CBD brands with a lot of skepticism. Not because I don’t believe in them — it’s because I’ve seen way too many CBD companies fail to deliver on their promises.
Royal CBD is one of the few companies that practice what they preach. They claim to use high-grade ingredients and ordering a bottle to test I wasn’t let down. Everything feels quality with this company. The hemp oil tastes fresh and clean, and the MCT oil contains absolutely zero impurities.
The brand even provides up-to-date third-party lab tests publicly on its website. This is a big step in the right direction for Royal CBD because it proves the company believes in what they sell and want to offer as much transparency to its customers as possible.
Royal CBD was launched in 2018, selling only two types of products: full-spectrum CBD oil and Zero-THC CBD Gummies (read our gummies buying guide for more information). Only later in 2019 did the company begin branching out to sell CBD-infused topical creams.
Royal CBD continues to grow and release new products every few months such as CBD capsules that help fight insomnia. I’ve tested all of them and have yet to be disappointed.
CBD oil from Royal is sourced from Colorado-grown organic hemp, which already speaks to the quality of these oils. Colorado is well-known for producing some of the best hemp in North America.
The guys at Royal CBD make their hemp extract using supercritical CO2 extraction, which results in a pure and potent product free from any residual solvents. Conventional extraction uses either butane or hexane — which can leave small amounts of these toxic solvents in the final product. Using CO2 eliminates this possibility by using CO2 instead — which simply evaporates into the air as soon as the pressure is released.
Don’t take my word for it, just go to their website and open the lab analysis of their full-spectrum CBD oils.
Once extracted from the hemp plant, the team at Royal CBD dissolves the extract into premium-grade MCT (medium-chain triglyceride) oil. This helps with absorption in the gut and makes it much easier to measure doses of CBD.
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2. Gold Bee – Best Organic Formula
Technical Details:
| Total CBD Content | 1200 mg |
| Available Flavors | Natural, Kiwi-Honey |
| Potency | 40 mg/mL |
What I Like About Gold Bee:
Try as you might, but you won’t find a better organic formula out there. The only reason why Gold Bee scores second place here is the lack of high-strength CBD oils in their collection. Other than that, this is a creme de la creme of CBD extracts.
This California-based company was established in late 2019 by a group of health-conscious superfood producers. The guys at Gold Bee have taken their experience from the superfoods industry and carried it over to the hemp market in order to raise the quality standards among competitors.
Gold Bee makes full-spectrum CBD, so you’re getting the synergy from all active ingredients in hemp. The cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids allow the body to process CBD more efficiently so that lower doses can remain effective — the primary reason why Gold Bee has yet to release a high-strength version of its oils.
The CBD extract is suspended in hemp seed oil for higher bioavailability. Unlike competitor brands, Gold Bee doesn’t use artificial flavorings and sweeteners in its flavored CBD oils. Instead, the company uses its organic honey as a sweetener, which is another advantage in its favor. If you use 40 mg CBD or less (daily), Gold Bee’s products are very affordable in the long run, especially when you consider the quality of their ingredients.
I use half a dropper before bed to boost my sleep length and quality (the oil does a great job here), and a quarter after I wake up to improve my energy, sharpen my focus, and reduce anxiety throughout the day.
The Gold Bee CBD oil, as well as its capsules and CBD-infused honey sticks, are rigorously tested in a third-party laboratory for its CBD content and purity. If you don’t feel satisfied with the company’s product, you can use its 30-day money-back guarantee to get a full refund for returning the product.
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3. CBDPure
Technical Details:
| Total CBD Content | 100 – 600 mg |
| Available Flavors | None |
| Potency | 1.6 – 10 mg/mL |
What I Like About CBDPure Oil:
CBDPure is one of the more reputable companies I’ve come across. They describe each stage of production for their CBD oil and provide extensive third-party testing on each batch to remain transparent about the quality and potency of the oil.
CBDPure CBD oil is sourced from domestically grown hemp and extracted with supercritical carbon dioxide for the highest purity possible without any chances of contaminating the final product with butane or other harmful chemical solvents.
These are full-spectrum extracts, so you need less CBD to get the desired results than you would with CBD isolate. This feature makes up for the low potency of CBDPure products. However, if you need something a little stronger, we recommend you go with Royal CBD oil instead.
Nevertheless, if you’re still unsatisfied with the effects, CBDPure offers a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee program, which gives you a full refund if you return the order within 90 days after purchase.
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4. Hemp Bombs
Technical Details:
| Total CBD Content | 300 – 4000 mg |
| Available Flavors | Unflavored, Acai Berry, Orange Creamsicle, Peppermint, Watermelon |
| Potency | 10 – 133.3 mg/mL |
What I Like About HempBombs:
HempBombs is my absolute number one when it comes to CBD isolates. This American company specializes in making 99% pure CBD extracts. You can buy their products as regular tinctures, vape oils, capsules, and gummies.
HempBombs CBD oil is sold in five different potency options, from 300 mg to 4000 mg of CBD per bottle.
The hemp used to make this CBD oil has been sourced from certified organic farms in Europe and extracted with CO2 for maximum purity. This oil also contains zero THC, which makes it a great alternative for people who want to avoid even trace amounts of psychoactive THC.
The isolate will give you the highest dose per serving, which is better for sleep support as higher doses of CBD tend to offer the best sleep support.
With that said, experts generally agree full-spectrum extracts offer a stronger effect profile due to the complex synergy between the many cannabinoids and terpenes produced in the hemp plant. If you’re okay taking trace amounts of THC and other cannabinoids with your oil (non-psychoactive), I recommend you go for a full-spectrum option instead. My favorite full-spectrum option is the Royal CBD oil discussed in point number one.
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5. CBDistillery
Technical Details:
| Total CBD Content | 250 – 5000 mg |
| Available Flavors | None |
| Potency | 8.3 – 166 mg/mL |
What I Like About CBDistillery:
CBDistillery is one of the veterans in the industry — having been around for a few years before the CBD industry began to explode in popularity.
Despite being one of the trailblazers in the industry, CBDistillery hasn’t settled. The company continues to innovate the industry with new products, marketing techniques, and customer service improvements. They offer some of the most reliable CBD products on the market.
CBDistillery sells both “full-spectrum” and “THC-free.” oils. This gives customers the option to choose either a full-spectrum product or broad-spectrum extract that can guarantee 0% THC.
There are five different potencies to choose from, starting at 250 mg and increasing in intervals all the way up to 5000 mg of CBD per bottle. The highest potency options deliver the best value for your money and provide enough CBD to last a few months.
CBDistillery is a good brand to consider for mothers who don’t want to spend a fortune on high-quality CBD. Their 250 mg CBD oil costs just $20 — making it super easy for anybody to try CBD without breaking the bank.
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6. NuLeaf Naturals
Technical Details:
| Total CBD Content | 240 – 4850 mg |
| Available Flavors | None |
| Potency | 48.5 mg/mL |
What I Like About NuLeaf Naturals:
NuLeaf Naturals has been providing consumers with CBD oil for over 5 years now. The company only sells two products — which are actually the exact same oil. There’s a version for humans, and one for pets.
At first, it seems this company offers a whole range of different potencies for this product, but the reality is that these oils are all the same potency of 48 mg/mL — they just come in different bottle sizes.
While the selection of CBD oil sizes and product types is slim, the company is best known for producing a reliable, high-quality products. Every time you order, you can rest assured the product you receive will be at the highest level of quality possible. Nuleaf has a large following of users who swear by this brand.
All Nuleaf Naturals products are sourced from domestically-grown hemp and extracted with a combination of subcritical and supercritical CO2. NuLeaf Naturals CBD oil has been carefully filtered to remove any plant matter — hence its beautiful amber-gold color.
There are five different volumes to choose from:
- 5 mL — 240 mg of CBD per bottle
- 15 mL — 725 mg of CBD per bottle
- 30 mL — 1450 mg of CBD per bottle
- 50 mL — 2425 mg of CBD per bottle
- 100 mL — 4850 mg of CBD per bottle
Every bottle of Nuleaf Naturals CBD oil delivers 48 mg/mL of CBD — which works out to around 1.6 milligrams of CBD per drop. This is a relatively high potency compared to a lot of the other CBD oils on the market. For most people, a higher dose of CBD is necessary to achieve optimal benefits in regard to falling asleep.
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7. Charlotte’s Web
Technical Details
| Total CBD Content | 200 – 1800 mg |
| Available Flavors | Mint Chocolate, Lemon Twist, Orange Blossom, Olive Oil |
| Potency | 7 – 60 mg/mL |
About Charlotte’s Web:
Charlotte’s Web is one of the most well-known names in the CBD space. Established by the Stanley Brothers, the company has coined the reputation of a trustworthy manufacturer when they helped now late Charlotte Figi with her intractable epilepsy, naming their signature hemp strain after the girl. Although Charlotte’s Web has recently received a warning letter from the FDA due to its health claims and inconsistencies in CBD levels between different products, the brand still holds the title of one of the best companies on the market.
Charlotte’s Web CBD oil comes in 4 strengths: 200 mg, 500 mg, 1500 mg, and 1800 mg of CBD per bottle. The highest potency offers 60 mg of full-spectrum CBD in every milliliter, leveraging the whole-plant synergy. You can buy these oils in either 30 mL or 100 mL bottles; they are available in four flavor versions, including Mint Chocolate, Lemon Twist, Orange Blossom, and Olive Oil.
Much as I appreciate the company’s contribution to the cannabis community, I believe that the guys at Charlotte’s Web could use a better extraction method. They currently utilize ethanol instead of CO2, which isn’t the best method for the broad-scale production of CBD extracts. Not to mention the suspension in olive oil, which makes these oils taste a bit bitter — even in the flavored versions.
Pros:
- One of the most reputable brands on the market
- Full-spectrum CBD
- Deliciously flavored versions
- Up to 1800 mg of CBD per bottle
- Available in two sizes: 30 mL and 100 mL
- Third-party tested for potency and purity
Cons:
- Non-organic hemp
- Ethanol extraction
- Suspension in olive oil (bitter taste)
- The company received a warning letter from the FDA in the past due to inappropriate health claims
8. cbdMD
Technical Details
| Total CBD Content | 300 – 7500 mg |
| Available Flavors | Natural, Berry, Orange, Mint |
| Potency | 10 – 250 mg/mL |
About cbdMD:
CbdMD is another reputable manufacturer that offers a range of CBD products, including tinctures, gummies, capsules, sleep aids, topicals, bath bombs, and pet products.
The company’s CBD oils are available in a broad range of concentrations, from 300 mg to a whopping 7500 mg of CBD per bottle. The strongest version delivers 200 mg of CBD in every milliliter, making this product a very affordable option if you want to stock up for months to come.
The CBD extract has been infused into MCT oil for better absorption. You can choose from three flavored options: Orange, Mint, and Berry.
However, these products are based on broad-spectrum CBD, which means there are no traces of THC in them. As a result, you’re not getting the full entourage effect. The therapeutic effects of CBD aren’t linear on the dose-response curve, so the more isn’t necessarily the merrier in this case.
Transparency-wise, CbdMD has high standards, providing batch-specific certificates of analysis for all its products, including the results for pesticides, heavy metals, solvents, and microbial contaminants.
Pros:
- US-grown, non-GMO hemp
- CO2 extraction
- THC-free
- Up to 7500 mg of CBD per bottle
- Batch-specific certificates of analysis
Cons:
- Limited entourage effect due to the lack of THC
- Most people don’t need such high doses of CBD in their routine
9. Medterra
Technical Details
| Total CBD Content | 500 – 3000 mg |
| Available Flavors | Natural, Citrus, Mint Chocolate |
| Potency | 16 – 100 mg/mL |
About Medterra:
Medterra was founded in California as a small artisan company. It didn’t take long for the founders to grow the brand to a decent size and achieve a reputation of a solid manufacturer. Medterra specializes in premium CBD oils, which they sell in all cannabinoid spectra — including full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD, and CBD isolates. These products contain between 500 and 3000 mg of CBD per bottle, which is a standard range for CBD companies. On top of the unflavored CBD oil, you can choose from two flavored variants: Citrus and Chocolate.
Medterra claims to offer real full-spectrum CBD oils, with 2 mg of THC in each bottle. However, if you want to order these products, you need to live in one of the 17 states that have legalized cannabis for recreational use. If you want a federally legal product, your options are limited to broad-spectrum CBD and isolate.
All Medterra’s products are third-party tested for their CBD content and safety.
Medterra is a small artisan brand rooted in California. The company specializes in premium CBD oils in various cannabinoid spectra, including full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD, and CBD isolate. These products contain from 500 mg to 3000 mg of CBD per bottle, which is a regular range for CBD companies. Aside from the unflavored version, you can choose from two flavored options: Citrus and Chocolate.
Pros:
- Premium-grade CBD oils
- Up to 3000 mg of CBD per bottle
- Available as full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD, and isolates
- Lab-tested for potency and purity
Cons:
- The “real” full-spectrum CBD oil isn’t available in all states
- Some of the lab reports indicate higher CBD levels than stated on the bottle
- No discounts for returning customers
10. Joy Organics
Technical Details
| Total CBD Content | 450 – 900 mg |
| Available Flavors | Tranquil Mint, Fresh Lime, Summer Lemon |
| Potency | 15 – 30 mg/mL |
About Joy Organics:
Joy Organics was founded by a woman named Joy Smith, who has been taking CBD oil for her problems with pain and sleep. After experiencing the benefits of CBD first-hand, she has decided to share her passion for hemp extracts with people seeking natural and safe alternatives to conventional treatments.
Joy Organics offers a range of broad-spectrum CBD oils from certified organic hemp. The company has a lot of positive reviews on the third-party websites; they also haven’t received any warning letter from the FDA, unlike some of the other brands in our ranking. These are low-strength products, containing 450 mg or 900 mg of CBD per bottle. The stronger option provides 30 mg of CBD per milliliter, which is the standard dosage for many daily users who take CBD to support their endocannabinoid system.
These are one of the best-tasting CBD oils I’ve ever tried. They are available in three refreshing flavors: Tranquil Mint, Summer Lemon, and Fresh Lime.
In 2018, the Joy Organics citrus tincture was found to be contaminated with a fungicide commonly sprayed on citrus fruits. After these results from an independent lab analysis came out, the company immediately removed the tincture from its lineup and changed their third-party testing system to make sure such errors won’t happen again.
Pros:
- Non-GMO, US-grown hemp
- Supercritical CO2 extraction
- Broad-spectrum CBD
- THC-free
- Delicious flavors
Cons:
- A bit expensive
- No high-strength oils
Why Do I Have Trouble Sleeping?
The most common form of sleep disorder is insomnia. There are a lot of reasons why someone may experience difficulty sleeping. It helps to rule things out by defining where the actual problem is. There are three main types of insomnia to be aware of — each with their own set of potential causes:
- Onset Insomnia — This is the type of insomnia where you have a hard time falling asleep at night. This may be associated with racing thoughts or worry before bed.
- Sleep Maintenance Insomnia — This form of insomnia involves waking up at some point in the early hours of the morning. You may wake up several times throughout the night, or just once but find it nearly impossible to fall back asleep.
- Non-Restorative sleep — People often overlook this form of insomnia. It involves sleeping throughout the night, but waking unrefreshed — as if you haven’t slept at all. You may not experience apparent insomnia like the others mentioned above, but for some reason, you’re not entering a deep restorative sleep during the night. This form of insomnia is the hardest to diagnose and usually requires sleep analysis at a medical center to understand the cause.
No matter what the cause, sleep issues can impact many different parts of the body. The most obvious is the brain, where sleep deprivation can result in “brain fog”, irritability, poor decision making, difficulty concentrating, and lapses in memory. Sleep deprivation can also affect other areas of the body — such as the heart, muscles, immune system, and digestive organs.
Let’s cover some of the most common causes for each type of insomnia using the table below:
| Onset Insomnia (Can’t Fall Asleep) | Maintenance Insomnia (Can’t Stay Asleep) | Non-Restorative Sleep (You Slept, But Remain Tired) |
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According to a 2010 review, insufficient sleep duration at night increases the risk of early death (1).
Noticeable signs of sleep deprivation include:
- Daytime fatigue
- Irritability
- Excessive sleepiness
- Yawning
- Poor concentration
- Mood swings
- Bags under the eyes
- Muscle weakness
- A low threshold to stress
But there’s more to sleep disturbances than the symptoms listed above. Long-term sleeplessness is more dangerous than most people think.
The Negative Side Effects of Sleep Deprivation
We need to sleep — there’s no getting around it. Our physiology is intimately reliant on getting at least a few hours of sleep each night. The specific number of hours needed can vary from one person to another — but the general rule of thumb is that we all need roughly 7–9 hours of sleep each night.
Missing out on the recommended 7 to 9 hours of shut-eye nightly can take a severe toll on your health over time. Chronic sleep deprivation drains your cognitive capacity and puts your physical health at risk. Science has linked poor sleep with a myriad of health problems, from weight gain to a lowered immune function (2).
Here are some of the most common long-term side effects of insufficient sleep duration:
- Memory impairment
- Poor memory and concentration
- Mood swings
- Lowered immune function
- High blood pressure (Hypertension)
- Weight gain
- Increased chance of developing type II diabetes
- Low sex drive
- Increased risk of heart disease
Plants Over Pills: Why Sleeping Pills Can do More Harm Than Good
Most sleeping pills sold in pharmacies belong to the group of sedative-hypnotics — a specific class of drugs used to induce sleep by inhibiting the activity of the central nervous system. The most common class of drugs in this category are benzodiazepines like Xanax, Valium, Halcion, or Ambien. Similar medications like Tramadol or Sonata are also used and have the same mechanism of action.
These drugs work by activating the GABA receptors in the brain — which essentially acts as a shut-off for neurological activity. Electrical signals are slowed down or blocked, causing us to feel relaxed and drowsy.
While there’s no dispute that these medications work exceptionally well for putting us to sleep — there’s a dark side to them that many people aren’t aware of until it’s too late.
The problem arises from the addictive nature of these medications. After just a few doses, the body begins to make changes to resist the effects of these medications. Over time, we need to take a higher dose of the pills to get the same effect. If we stop taking the medication or they begin to wear off, it can cause us to go through withdrawal symptoms — which have the same symptoms as the initial problem. Withdrawal from hypnotics can appear in as little as two weeks of use, cause users to feel anxious, and paranoid, and can make it impossible to fall asleep without another dose of the medicine.
There are also a lot of undesired effects that can come from using sleep medications:
- Dry mouth or throat
- Daytime drowsiness
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Appetite fluctuation
- Chronic migraines
- Heartburn
- Problems with attention and memory
- Stomach tenderness
- Recurring nightmares
- Muscle weakness
- General malaise
- Palm sweats, tingling or burning in the arms, feet, or legs
A lot of people are turning to natural supplements like CBD to support a good night’s sleep instead because of the significantly better safety profile, and a similar level of benefit. Of course, CBD is nowhere near as strong as pharmaceutical medications — but doesn’t have nearly the same level of side effects. CBD is reported to offer substantial benefits towards sleep without offering a crutch the body needs to rely on to fall asleep.
CBD is best used as a sleep aid, along with other changes to diet and lifestyle — such as avoiding caffeine, spending time to meditate or wind down before bed, exercising during the day, and taking measures to manage stress levels. Together with these changes, CBD should provide the level of support you need to get a good night’s rest.
Now let’s explore how CBD works.
What is CBD Oil?
CBD is an abbreviation for cannabidiol, the second-most abundant cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant.
Unlike its psychoactive cousin THC, CBD doesn’t directly activate the endocannabinoid receptors in the brain. THC does, which results in the characteristic high associated with marijuana.
Yes, you’ve read that right — CBD cannot make you high.
CBD primarily works through a series of receptors known as the endocannabinoid receptors. This system is located inside cells all around the body. It’s used to support the homeostasis in the body — which is a fancy word that means balance. The endocannabinoid system improves cellular communication so the body can keep track of important metrics like blood pH, body temperature, inflammatory processes, and sleep cycles.
Cannabidiol supports this regulatory system by slowing the breakdown of naturally produced endocannabinoids like anandamide and 2-AG. It also binds to the endocannabinoid receptors and makes it easier for other endocannabinoids to find and activate these receptors.
This has a trickle-down effect on the rest of the body. By improving the system that regulates homeostasis, we can better maintain optimal function for various organs around the body. This is why CBD has such a long list of uses and benefits — including sleep.
Also, there is an alternative to CBD oil if you don’t like the hempy taste. It’s CBD gummies; read our post on the Top 10 CBD Gummies Brands for Sleep to learn more about this consumption method
CBD For Sleep: How it Works
There are a few different ways CBD can be used to support a good night’s sleep. Let’s cover the main ones in more detail:
1. CBD May Alleviate Anxiety
We did another article on the effects of CBD for anxiety that describes how this works in more detail. In a nutshell, CBD works through the GABA receptors in the brain. GABA is used to slow down neurological activity to help us prepare for sleep. One of the most common concomitant symptoms associated with insomnia is anxiety. You may have experienced this familiar scenario — you’re lying in bed, tired and ready to go to sleep, when suddenly you can’t help but feel a wave of anxiety wash over you. You may feel worried, anxious, or uneasy — making it almost impossible to fall asleep.
As estimated by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), anxiety disorders are a primary cause of a wide range of sleep abnormalities and disorders, including the most severe one — insomnia.
A three-month study published in the January Issue of the Permanente Journal examined the health records of 72 patients who were administered CBD for anxiety and poor sleep (3). The trial showed that anxiety levels in both groups significantly declined after their CBD treatment. For those with sleep problems, the researchers reported improvements in their sleeping habits in the first month of the trial.
2. CBD Supports Deep Sleep
This effect is most important for people who can’t stay asleep (maintenance insomnia) or wake feeling unrefreshed.
Deep sleep is a critical component of a good night of sleep. If we only remain in light sleep for the entire night, it’s easy to wake up at the drop of a pin. Sometimes when we wake up from this state, it can be very difficult to fall back asleep again.
Research suggests that CBD oil increases the duration of the “deep sleep” phase — that stage when we regenerate — while reducing REM sleep (the stage responsible for dreaming) (4).
People who dreamlessly achieve better-quality sleep; their memory improves, and symptoms of depression may start to back away. Consequently, using CBD oil for sleep may lead to a natural improvement in the overall quality of your sleeping habits.
3. CBD May Alleviate Pain
Another common cause of sleeping issues comes from another symptom altogether — pain.
Chronic pain is common, affecting millions of Americans every year.
Depending on the source and severity of pain, it may be enough to keep us up at night. If only there was something reported to alleviate various forms of pain and inflammation.
Fortunately, pain reduction is one of the most common applications of CBD. Read our article on the best CBD oil for pain to learn more about how this works and which CBD oils are best suited for the job.
How Much CBD Should I Take To Help With Sleep?
Dosing CBD oil for sleep is a tricky job because low and high doses of this supplement can produce different effects.
For example, low doses of CBD oil tend to promote alertness, while larger doses tend to be more sedative.
However, this dose will vary a lot from one person to another. The best way to find the best dose for your body is to do some simple trial and error — and remain patient until you find a dose that works.
The process is simple:
- Start with a much lower dose than you think you need (most people start with 1 or 2 mg equivalents of CBD)
- Every day increase the dose by 2 mg until you begin feeling the effects
- Keep playing around with the dose in small increments until you find one that works reliably for you
The more you use CBD, the better you’ll begin to understand how it affects you directly. If you experience any side effects, simply lower the dose to the last time where there were no side effects or take CBD along with some food for future doses.
The table below illustrates the suggested daily doses for different effects based on the user’s weight:
| Weight (lbs) | Low Dosage | Medium Dosage | High Dosage |
| Up to 130 lbs | 10 – 15 mg | 30 – 45 mg | 60 – 90 mg |
| 130–230 lbs | 15 – 22 mg | 45 – 67 mg | 90+ mg |
| More than 230 lbs | 22 – 25 mg | 67 – 75 mg | 90+ mg |
A Quick Check List for Buying CBD Oil for Sleep
I recommend you do some research before you decide on a CBD oil to purchase. There are a lot of great products available, but a lot of really poor quality products as well. Sometimes it can be difficult to tell the difference until you give it a try.
So, how do you find a reputable CBD supplier?
Start by asking yourself the following questions:
1. Is the Hemp Source Organic?
The quality of CBD oil depends heavily on the quality of hemp. If there are any impurities in the soil, they’ll begin to accumulate in the leaves and stems of the hemp plant as it grows and matures. This is because industrial hemp is considered to be a bioaccumulator — it has the unique ability to absorb all the elements from the air and soil around it and hyper-accumulate it in the plant tissue. If the soil is contaminated with lead, arsenic, mercury, or cadmium — the hemp plant itself will likely be high in these toxic compounds — which ultimately make their way into the hemp oil itself.
Additionally, some farmers will spray their crops with toxic herbicides or pesticides to improve their yields. These pesticides often don’t breakdown fully by the time the plants are harvested _, bringing these harmful endocrine-disruptive compounds into your bottle of CBD oil.
Organic farming doesn’t allow for any of these issues. The soil needs to be regularly tested for heavy metal contamination, and pesticide use is severely limited or outright banned.
For these reasons, it’s highly recommended you go with a product or company that uses organic-certified hemp plants to manufacture their oil.
2. What Extraction Method Does the Manufacturer Employ?
Once the hemp plants are harvested, they need to go through some processing to remove the cannabinoids and other phytochemicals. There are a few ways to do this, but by far, the best is CO2 extraction.
Conventional extraction methods used cold water (very inefficient), or solvents like methanol, butane, propane, or hexane — all of which are toxic to humans. After the extraction, this solvent is removed, but it’s nearly impossible to remove 100% of the solvents from the final product. This means there could be some of these solvents in your bottle of CBD if the company didn’t opt for using the more advanced CO2 extraction process.
Supercritical CO2 uses pressurized CO2 kept at a specific temperature to force it into a supercritical state. Once in this state, CO2 behaves exactly like a solvent — effectively stripping away the phytochemicals from the hemp plant (including CBD). Once the extract is done, the pressure is released, and all the CO2 evaporates into the air.
Even if some CO2 remained in the final product (it doesn’t), it’s completely non-toxic. Most of our atmosphere is already made of CO2.
3. Is the Product Tested by Third-Party Labs?
Anybody could produce a CBD oil and claim to test a sample for cannabinoid profile, terpene profiles, or contamination. These tests are super easy to fake, so the industry standard these days is to use a certified laboratory that has no affiliation with the company. This is called a third-party lab.
For a fee, these labs can test a sample of CBD product from a company, and provide a completely non-biased, transparent analysis of the product to prove the CBD oil is everything the company claims it is.
Always look for third-party lab tests for the products you’re interested in purchasing. If anything is missing or seems out of order, move on to another company instead.
Third-party lab tests should include the following information:
- Cannabinoid profile
- Terpene profile
- Residual solvent testing
- Heavy metal testing
- Microbial contamination testing
4. Is the Product Formulated With Other Herbs & Ingredients?
Most CBD oils come with pure CBD, or a full spectrum extract mixed with a carrier oil like MCT oil. However, the best products will have other ingredients added as well to support the effects of CBD. Some common additives that make CBD even better for supporting sleep include:
- Melatonin
- L-theanine
- Ashwagandha
- Magnesium
- Magnolia
- Passionflower
- Hops
The most popular combination at the moment for sleep is melatonin and CBD.
Melatonin is a hormone produced in the brain’s pineal gland that helps regulate our sleep-wake cycle. Our body typically increases melatonin release around early afternoon, peaking at night and naturally decreasing once the morning draws near.
In simple terms, melatonin tells the body it’s bedtime by setting the gears in motion for you to be able to fall asleep. This effect compounds the relaxing effects of CBD by targeting other areas of the sleep process.
A Final Note on Using CBD Oil for Sleep
Frequent sleep deprivation is a plague in modern society. Insomnia is often placed among the most common modern diseases. If neglected, sleep deprivation can lead to several severe neurological conditions and other health disorders.
If you’re looking for a natural alternative to help you sleep, research suggests CBD may be a valuable option. That’s because this cannabinoid brings balance to the endocannabinoid system — which is heavily involved in the process of sleep and recovery.
I hope this guide has cleared up any confusion regarding the quality of CBD oil, how it works for sleep, and what to keep in mind when buying your next bottle. If you’re not sure where to start, I highly recommend you give Royal CBD a try. For the highest cost savings and best bang for your buck, I recommend the higher potency bottle.
Have you used CBD oil for sleep? Did you notice any difference? Share your experience in the comment section below!
References:
- Cappuccio, F. P., D’Elia, L., Strazzullo, P., & Miller, M. A. (2010). Sleep duration and all-cause mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies. Sleep, 33(5), 585–592.
- Medic, G., Wille, M., & Hemels, M. E. (2017). Short- and long-term health consequences of sleep disruption. Nature and science of sleep, 9, 151–161.
- Shannon, S., Lewis, N., Lee, H., & Hughes, S. (). Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series. The Permanente Journal, 23, 18–041.
- Chagas, M.H. et al. (2013). Effects of acute systemic administration of cannabidiol on the sleep-wake cycle in rats. Journal of Psychopharmacology (Oxford, England), 27(3), 312-6.
