Existing research suggests a promising outlook for how CBD oil may help improve sleep disorders, and many anecdotally report CBD oil helps lower their anxieties, lower pain levels, and improve sleep. In this article, we explain what full spectrum CBD oil is, how CBD may help relieve sleeplessness or symptoms associated with sleep disorders, safety concerns about CBD, and where to buy quality CBD products.

What Is CBD?

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is the most abundant compound in hemp plants, and is found primarily in the flower and leaves of the plant. It’s one of more than 100 cannabinoids which can be extracted from the plant, and is used to make a wide variety of products, such as CBD oil, lotions and creams, edibles, and capsules.

CBD has grown in popularity as people are discovering its therapeutic benefits, especially as a natural anti-inflammatory.

What Is Full Spectrum CBD Oil?

Full spectrum CBD oil means the product contains many cannabinoids beyond CBD, such as CBN, CBDV, THCV, CBG, CBC, THCA, CBDA. Full spectrum CBD oil also contains other compounds from the hemp plant, including naturally-occurring terpenes, essential vitamins, fatty acids, protein, and more.

The alternative to full spectrum CBD is CBD isolate. In isolates, the CBD molecule is chemically isolated from all other compounds in the hemp plant, resulting in a powder substance which is then mixed with a carrier.

What is full spectrum CBD oil?

CBD isolates have no identifiable amount of THC and they’re stripped of the other beneficial and nutritional compounds, such as terpenes, flavonoids, vitamins, and protein mentioned above.

Is Full Spectrum CBD Oil Better Than CBD Isolate?

Researchers in a 2015 study conducted at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Hadassah School concluded full spectrum CBD extract was more effective at treating inflammation than CBD isolate.

They based this conclusion on the view that other cannabinoids and compounds in the full spectrum hemp extract synergized with CBD to relieve inflammation at a greater amount than CBD isolate. The researchers dubbed this phenomenon “The Entourage Effect.”

We liken CBD isolate to be a bit like selling bread that’s been stripped of much of its nutritional value.

What Are Common Sleep Disorders?

According to the American Sleep Association (AMA), sleep disorders currently affect as many as 50 to 70 million U.S adults. Five of the most common sleep disorders in the United States are:

  • Insomnia
  • Sleep Apnea
  • Narcolepsy
  • Restless Legs Syndrome
  • REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

The AMA also reports that drowsy driving is responsible for 1,550 fatalities and 40,000 nonfatal injuries annually in the United States. So, getting quality sleep is serious business.

How Can Full Spectrum CBD Oil Improve Sleep?

While long-term studies researching CBD’s direct impact on sleep are lacking, there is a promising outlook. There are emerging studies that suggest CBD could help with excessive daytime sleepiness, as well as with REM sleep behavior disorder.

In addition, CBD’s anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving effects are well documented, and many report CBD lessens anxiety. Relief from pain and anxiety indirectly improves ease of falling and staying asleep.

CBD at high doses has been associated with sedation, but a recent trial showed that 300 milligram doses of CBD did not interfere with sleep cycles in healthy participants.

Based on these observations and those showing that, unlike some drugs that are used to treat anxiety and depression, CBD appears to lack dangerous side effects, researchers have suggested CBD may pose a useful alternative therapy for a variety of sleeping disorders.

How To Use CBD Oil for Sleep

When using CBD oil to improve sleep quality, we recommend starting with a full spectrum CBD oil taken sublingually one to two times per day. Sublingually means placing the oil under your tongue using the dropper and holding it there for 60-90 seconds, or until the oil has been absorbed.

CBD extracts tend to have the highest bioavailability among CBD products, meaning they are absorbed into your bloodstream at a higher percentage than CBD foods or beverages.

How To Take CBD for Sleep: Sublingual and Oral Applications

There are a couple ways to take CBD oil to improve sleep quality. It’s important to understand the pros and cons of each application method, especially regarding CBD bioavailability — the rate at which CBD enters your bloodstream.

1) Sublingual Application. This involves using a dropper to place the oil under your tongue. Sublingual administration works by exposing the sublingual gland, a vein found under the tongue, to the CBD. Leave the CBD oil under your tongue for 60-90 seconds until it’s absorbed. This allows CBD to enter the bloodstream more directly than if it were swallowed and subjected to the digestive system.

CBD edibles, like caramels, chocolates, or other candies, also work by way of sublingual application. When the candy is sucked on or allowed to melt in your mouth, CBD makes its way into the bloodstream through the sublingual gland.

2) Oral Application: CBD can be taken orally by way of CBD capsules, much like your standard medication. CBD capsules are a convenient way to monitor dosage and avoid the taste and texture of CBD oils, which some people find unfavorable.

However, like all substances ingested orally, CBD capsules will not take effect immediately, because they have to travel through our digestive systems before entering our blood circulation.

In addition, because capsules are subject to our metabolisms and digestive systems, they will be broken down in a way that lowers their bioavailability.

Research into the bioavailability of CBD suggests that products taken orally are associated with a bioavailability of less than 20%. What this means is, in order to attain the same level of relief, the concentration or dose of CBD products taken orally needs to be higher than what would be required if you took your CBD sublingually.

How Much CBD Oil Should I Take?

Regarding the proper dose of CBD, the best practice is to identify the lowest dose necessary to realize your desired benefits.

Starting with 25mg of CBD per day, then gradually increasing or decreasing your dosage until you reach your desired state, is a reliable approach.

What Are The Risks or Side Effects Associated with CBD oil?

If you have concerns or are taking other medication, we advise that you speak to a physician before adding CBD oil to your healthcare regimen.

Is CBD Oil Safe?

While no major health or safety concerns have been associated with the use of CBD oil alone, some drug interactions have been identified, particularly with blood thinners and glaucoma medications.

Other side effects that have been reported are:

  • drowsiness
  • diarrhea (this is often due to the coconut oil in many CBD products)
  • headaches

Is CBD Oil Legal?

The simple answer is yes, buying CBD oil is federally legal and it can be shipped to all 50 states. The 2018 Farm Bill legalized the production and sale of hemp and its extracts, provided the hemp from which the CBD is extracted contains no more than 0.3% THC.

The USDA confirmed in its memo that states cannot interfere with the interstate commerce of hemp or its derivatives.

Where Can I Buy Full Spectrum CBD Oil for Sleep?

You can purchase Laura’s Homestead Alternatives Full Spectrum CBD oil, lotions and creams, edibles, and softgel capsules through our online store.

Our CBD is extracted from USDA-certified organic hemp grown at Laura’s Mt. Folly Farm. We source 100% of our hemp from Laura’s farm, work closely with a local extractor to create our full spectrum CBD extract, and partner with third-party labs to ensure our products are accurately labeled.

This vertical integration means we maintain full control of the product from field to finished good.

Our Top Full Spectrum CBD Products

We carry a range of full spectrum CBD products including:

For relief from sleeplessness in particular, we recommend our Extra Strength CBD Extract.

We are committed to education and strive to provide you with the most reliable research and information about CBD’s benefits. We recommend that you read our 5 Key Considerations When Buying CBD Oil article before purchasing CBD, and please contact us with any questions.