Do CBD Tinctures Help You Sleep or Not?

You may have heard a rumor that CBD can help you sleep better. And while there is some truth to that well-intentioned rumor, that’s not exactly how it works. There are other cannabinoids and terpenes included in hemp extract that may have a positive effect on your sleep pattern as well. However, it is certain that much more research is needed to determine specifically how CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system to help promote a better night’s rest. But there are plenty of anecdotal testimonies that vouch for CBD tinctures helping people get a better night’s sleep, no matter what the scientific reason is behind it.

The Basics of CBD Tinctures

So, why are tinctures one of the most popular types of CBD products available? There are a few different reasons tinctures have become increasingly popular. To start, they are easy to dose with, especially if the tincture comes packaged in a bottle with a measuring dropper. The dropper can be placed under your tongue to take the tincture sublingually, or you can drop the tincture into your favorite drink instead.

With either dosing method though, tinctures can deliver a potent CBD product to your bloodstream that will have a double onset of effects. There will be an initial wave of effects when you first take the tincture and a second wave when the CBD has entered your digestion system. The effects of CBD tinctures will also last for longer than smoking, dabbing, or vaping CBD flower or wax.

Tinctures also tend to have a limited number of ingredients. This makes them appealing for people with dietary restrictions in particular. CBD tinctures are made with CBD extract and an alcohol or oil base. The oil base does provide less burn than the alcohol alternative. But an alcohol-based tincture mixes better with drinks if you prefer to sip your CBD. Some tinctures will have a bit of other natural oils, such as peppermint oil added as well, to improve the taste and provide more potential benefits.

Does CBD Make You Tired?

Now that you know the basics about tinctures, let’s dive into understanding more about how CBD works. CBD is a naturally occurring plant compound in hemp plants, known as cannabidiol. This cannabinoid can be extracted from hemp plants using a variety of methods, which will result in either a full-spectrum extract, broad-spectrum extract, or CBD isolate. Each of these extracts can be beneficial in managing a variety of symptoms, but the facts are still being solidified in scientific studies. Early research does suggest that CBD can reduce the average time it takes for people to fall asleep though. But why is that the case?

CBD is believed to indirectly impact receptors in the body that send information between the nervous, immune, and circulatory systems. Researchers are proposing that although CBD does help you get to sleep faster, this is a side effect to some of the other effects CBD has on your body. Or in other words, CBD removes other obstacles that can make it difficult for you to get to sleep and stay asleep. For example, people who have anxiety might find it easier to go to sleep after taking CBD, because it also helps manage the symptoms of anxiety. CBD can help calm the mind and ease your muscles, which can lead to a sense of relaxation or drowsiness.

Overall, people claim that CBD helps improve their quality of sleep and ability to get to sleep faster. But researchers believe that there is no clinical evidence that shows a correlation between a sense of drowsiness and ingesting CBD. Sleepiness is instead believed to be a secondary outcome to treating other symptoms in the body with CBD. But there are also other compounds at work in CBD tinctures that may be having an effect on how you sleep.

How Do Other Cannabinoids Help?

The “Entourage Effect” is a buzzword thrown around the CBD world often. But what does it really mean? In the most basic of terms, it means that two things are working together to achieve greater effects. In the case of CBD, the entourage effect is normally discussed in relation to the other popular hemp plant compound, tetrahydrocannabinol. However, what most people don’t realize is that it can also be applied to other cannabinoids found in the hemp plant as well.

One of those naturally occurring cannabinoids is referred to as “CBN”, or cannabinol. Researchers are still looking more into this potentially beneficial compound, but initial findings suggest that it is more effective when combined with other cannabinoids. And together they work to allow users to fall asleep faster and stay asleep for longer.

How Do Terpenes Help?

More potential participants in the CBD tincture entourage effect are terpenes. Terpenes are found in a variety of different plants, including hemp. They are also often what you will smell first when approaching a plant. These compounds can have effects on your body in addition to cannabinoids. They can also be preserved with certain extraction methods on hemp, which result in full-spectrum CBD extract.

One terpene, in particular, is believed to provide calming or sedative effects, named Myrcene. It has a peppery or spicy scent about it and is also found naturally in lemongrass, mango, and thyme. It is also one of the most common terpenes found in hemp plants, which means it has a greater effect than the other terpenes present in full-spectrum CBD extract.

All of this to say that the verdict is still out on if CBD itself helps you get to sleep and stay asleep longer. However, users are beginning to preach the benefits of full-spectrum CBD tinctures when it comes to managing insomnia. It is important to note that we are not scientists nor medical professionals though. Be sure to check with your medical provider before taking CBD on a regular basis, since it can have unintended side effects with some common pharmaceutical medications. However, if you’ve tried CBD before and think it might help establish a better sleep schedule for yourself, then give a tincture a try. A nice cup of chamomile tea with a few drops of CBD tincture might put you to sleep better than a bedtime story.

Related Blog Posts

5 reasons to Legalize Cannabis

How Much CBD Should You take?

Vaped CBD vs. Topical CBD