Wondering about the right CBD dosage for sleep?

Getting a good night’s sleep can make a huge difference in life, from energy levels to mood and even immunity. In our stressed out, frenetic world, poor sleep is an epidemic. 

Fortunately,  CBD oil can be a huge help in improving sleep quality. The question is: What’s the right CBD dose? Unlike other sleep aids, CBD dosage is not one size fits all.

CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a cannabinoid, a plant chemical derived from hemp or cannabis. CBD is a gentle, safe, and effective way to manage sleep disturbances. Whether your sleep disorder is due to stress, chronic pain, or some other sleep issue, CBD can help. 

CBD comes in many forms, such as tinctures or capsules. Or you might prefer taking a CBD gummy before bedtime. The form of CBD and the dosage can impact its effectiveness, and it all differs from person to person. Read on to learn more about the science behind CBD dosage.

How much CBD should you take for sleep?

So how much CBD should you take for sleep? In the following sections, we will explore CBD dosage for different sleep issues, such as insomnia or sleep apnea. First, let’s briefly explore the differences between CBD product categories. CBD comes in different forms, including:

• CBD oil/tincture
• CBD gummy
• CBD capsule
• CBD vape
• Topical CBD balms or cream

Certain types of CBD may work a little faster than others. A CBD oil or tincture isn’t digested the way a CBD gummy or capsule is. Topical CBD works on the muscles and joints it’s applied to–like hands, wrists, legs and your back. CBD topicals are helpful for sleep only in cases where a chronic, specific pain is causing sleep problems. 

While the overall CBD dose is usually the same for different types of CBD, you might find one form works better for you, with perhaps a slight adjustment in dosage. 

You should also understand the difference between broad spectrum CBD, full spectrum CBD and pure CBD. Pure CBD contains the CBD (cannabidiol) isolate only, while broad and full spectrum CBD contains additional cannabinoid phytochemicals such as terpenes that add additional benefit to your CBD sleep aid.

With all that in mind, your individual CBD dose depends in part on your body weight. However, body weight is not the only factor in CBD dosage. Each individual has a unique “endocannabinoid” system that reacts uniquely to CBD levels. Thus, use your body weight only as a starting point. 

A CBD dosage calculator makes this easy, and many are available for free online. Some calculators will also translate milligrams into milliliters or even “drops,” so you can apply the calculation to your CBD tincture. 

How long does it take for CBD to kick in for sleep?

If you aren’t getting enough sleep, you may be feeling desperate for a fast-acting solution. CBD won’t cure your insomnia overnight, but it can help reset your sleep patterns to allow you get the sleep your mind and body need. However, you need to be patient. In research done to determine CBD’s effectiveness for insomnia, most subjects saw a positive difference in their sleep after a few weeks or a month.

Fortunately, the overall results from research seem promising. In one study, almost 80 percent of patients experienced relief from anxiety and over 66 percent experienced improved sleep after taking 25 mg of CBD in a capsule daily. 

The important distinction to make between CBD and your average sleeping pill is that CBD does not work like a sedative. CBD won’t “knock you out” instantly like prescription hypnotics. Instead, CBD works to help regulate stress hormones such as cortisol, as well as reduce pain and anxiety, both of which negatively impact sleep. In short, CBD works more to alleviate the causes of insomnia than simply create a state of artificial unconsciousness like a sleeping pill.

Therefore, while CBD can create a mild relaxing effect before bedtime, you don’t need to take it before bed for it to be effective for sleep. Additionally, it won’t make you “instantly” fall asleep like a traditional sedative. 

How much CBD oil can you take before bed?

CBD oil can be very helpful for improving sleep. As a liquid, it can be easily assimilated. So how much can you take before bed? The safe upper limit of CBD for humans according to research is approximately 1,500 mg, which is quite high. In all likelihood you won’t need that much, and the averaged recommended CBD dosage is anywhere from 20 to 40 mg. 

You can take CBD oil right before bed or during the day for sleep problems. The main reason to take CBD oil before bed is for anxiety relief. Either way, take the same dosage you would take during the daytime. Remember, sometimes less is more with CBD. If going above a certain dosage of CBD makes you feel too “amped,” you should dial the dose back. 

What can you expect when taking CBD gummies for sleep?

CBD gummies are another great way to help improve sleep. While they may be a bit slower for the body to digest than a liquid such as a tincture, they are popular for a number of reasons. Many people just like the taste and texture of gummies and prefer them to CBD tinctures for this reason. They are also convenient and can be less messy.

CBD gummies do need to be digested, unlike tinctures, so if taking them right before bed gets your stomach churning, you might switch to a liquid delivery system. Try taking gummies an hour or two before bed instead of right before you turn off the lights. Otherwise, if your stomach is fine, CBD gummies are a great way to help you calm down and prepare for sleep. (Our scientifically formulated CALM gum drops also include terpenes to provide a powerful sleep aid.)

How do you determine CBD dosage for insomnia?

CBD has been shown to help insomniacs in many research studies. CBD for insomnia is a natural alternative to harsh, possibly addictive sleeping pills, some of which have dangerous and scary side effects.

What types of CBD are best for insomnia?

In general, CBD topicals such as pain creams are not ideal for sleep disturbances such as insomnia, unless the entire problem is due to pain in a specific area. CBD topicals don’t work systemically, so they only work as localized pain killers. 

If you want to improve your REM sleep and get on a better sleep cycle, CBD edibles are preferred. CBD oil, especially in a tincture, can be a great CBD product to alleviate insomnia. You might also try a CBD gummy. Look for broad-spectrum CBD that contains additional cannabinoids and terpenes for the most powerful effect.

What are the best CBD dosages for insomnia?

The CBD dosage for insomnia is pretty much the same dosage you would use for any other type of sleep disorder. If the insomnia is severe, you might be tempted to take a lot more CBD right off the bat, but the maximum CBD dosage may not be necessary to quell your sleepless nights. 

In fact, too much CBD isolate can sometimes create the opposite effect in some people. In other words, up to a certain dosage level, the CBD will be calming and relaxing. But once a certain threshold is hit (which is usually fairly high, so don’t worry), the CBD ends up making some people more anxious and wound up. 

Our suggestion is to start with one dropper of DREAM and adjust from there based on your results.

How do you take CBD for insomnia if you’re taking other medications?

CBD can interact with certain medications, so please talk to your doctor first before starting a CBD regimen. If you want to replace your sleep medication with CBD, you should also consult with your doctor first. 

What is the CBD dosage for sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is sometimes a life-threatening sleep disorder that involves a temporary breathing stoppage in the middle of the night. While there are three types of sleep apnea, the most common and well known is obstructive sleep apnea. 

Obstructive sleep apnea is when the airway partially or fully closes, stopping the free flow of air to the lungs. It can occur due to genetic structural differences in the oral, throat, and nasal cavities as well as conditions such as obesity and even alcoholism. This can obviously impact sleep negatively by interrupting REM sleep, disrupting the sleep cycle, and reducing sleep quality.

What does the evidence suggest about the effects of CBD on sleep apnea?

The research on CBD for apnea is quite promising and shows that CBD can help with sleep problems due to sleep apnea, such as insomnia. 

How does CBD treat sleep apnea symptoms?

CBD cannot cure the cause of sleep apnea if it is due to a structural issue in the throat. However, it can help relax the sufferer, which will make it easier to initially fall asleep and fall back asleep if an apnea episode occurs. Unlike cannabis, CBD won’t make you high, which can cause anxiety in some people and why medical marijuana might not be an option for certain sleep apnea patients. 

What are the best CBD dosages for sleep apnea?

As with insomnia and general sleep disturbances, CBD dosage for sleep apnea is individual. You do not need to take extra CBD as a sleep aid for apnea; just the regular dose you would take otherwise will do. Remember, take an internal CBD edible, oil, or tincture instead of an external CBD cream.

What is the best CBD dosage to improve sleep quality?

Even if you don’t have a serious sleep problem such as sleep apnea, you might still benefit from a CBD product as a sleep aid. Recent research suggests as much as 60 percent or more of Americans don’t feel adequately rested upon waking, and this dramatically impacts productivity. 

Sleep quality is an important factor in how well rested we are each morning. Quality is all about the depth of your sleep and how restful it was. Sleep quality is just as, if not more, important than sleep quantity. If you are “sleeping” for twelve hours, but much of it involves tossing and turning as opposed to actually sleeping, that’s not good sleep.

One of the main culprits is stress. Chronic stress can disrupt REM sleep and destabilize the entire sleep cycle. Each night, we need to have a balance of REM sleep and deep sleep in order to wake up feeling energized and ready to start the day. REM sleep (REM stands for “rapid eye movement”) helps us to process the events of the day. Poor sleep interrupts that critical process. 

How do you find out what dosage of CBD you need for the best sleep?

CBD dosage is as much of an art as a science. As a consistent CBD user, you will probably figure out over time which type of CBD you prefer, whether it’s CBD oil or a CBD gummy, as well as what dose works best. We recommend keeping a sleep log that tracks your sleep quality along with your CBD dosage to find that happy sweet spot for your particular needs. 

How do you improve the results of using CBD for sleep quality?

While the CBD isolate in and of itself can generate better sleep, you can often get even better results when using CBD and melatonin. The two combined work synergistically to help reset the sleep cycle and reduce pain and anxiety that might negatively impact sleep. 

Should you increase your CBD dosage for sleep if you think it’s not working?

You should start your CBD dosage off at the lowest level and see how you feel for a few weeks. Then, slowly increase the dosage. Back off and reduce the dosage if you start getting any side effects such as upset stomach, nausea, dizziness, irritability, or more anxiety. 

Can high-quality CBD help improve sleep?

Finally, we believe that CBD dosage won’t matter if the CBD isn’t of the best quality. Fortunately, our team at Wisdom Essentials has put together the highest-quality CBD products for sleep based on botanical science. Our physician-formulated Wisdom Essentials DREAM tincture leverages the power of CBD along with melatonin and natural sleep-promoting terpenes. 

Check out our online store for high-quality CBD products with melatonin to promote optimal sleep.