CBD vs. THC for Sleep: Which One Works Better?
Sleep is necessary for optimal function and performance throughout the day. The average adult is recommended to get seven to nine hours of shut-eye a night. However, that is often easier said than done.
Millions of Americans experience chronic insomnia and other sleep disorders every year. With so many people struggling to get enough sleep every night, more and more people turn to natural and holistic methods to help them fall and stay asleep throughout the night.
Both THC and CBD are effective sleep aids in their own different ways. We will explore the similarities and differences between CBD and THC to achieve a good night’s rest.
CBD vs THC for Sleep
Over the last few decades, scientific interest in the chemistry and pharmacology of cannabinoids has increased.
Much of the attention has been focused specifically on tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the chemical compound with psychoactive properties from the Cannabis sativa plant. It is regarded as an effective sedative.
However, a burgeoning amount of scientific research focuses on cannabidiol, or CBD, the second most-known plant constituent with non-psychotropic properties. CBD has been recently found to be a wake-inducing drug and a sedative, depending on the dosage.
The Endocannabinoid System and Sleep
CBD and THC are two of the many cannabinoid compounds found in the cannabis plant but differ in their benefits and uses in many ways. It does not appear to alter consciousness or trigger the feeling of being “high.”
CBD has a calming effect on the central nervous system. THC is a psychoactive cannabinoid, meaning it alters cognitive perception and function. It is responsible for the “high” feeling after consuming cannabis products with THC content.
Both THC and CBD interact with the endocannabinoid system inside of the body. The endocannabinoid system consists of a series of neuromodulatory lipids and receptors located throughout the brain and the central and peripheral nervous systems.
This system accepts plant-based phytocannabinoids. Inside the endocannabinoid system, there are two main receptors: CB1 and CB2.
THC reacts with the CB1 receptor, while CBD reacts with the CB2 receptor. These molecular bindings release the effects of either THC or CBD throughout the body.
The endocannabinoid system is responsible for providing and maintaining balance throughout the body. One of the many essential roles the endocannabinoid system plays in regulating the body’s circadian rhythm.
The circadian rhythm is a natural, internal process that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and repeats roughly every 24 hours. Without proper internal signaling, a person can struggle to both fall and stay asleep.
A lack of quality sleep causes dysfunction inside of the endocannabinoid system, disrupting and affecting all other systems throughout the body.
CBD, THC, and Sleep
There are a lot of factors to consider when examining the roles CBD and THC play in sleep. First of all, there will be a completely different user experience between taking CBD or THC due to the psychoactive effects inside of THC.
The radio of cannabinoids, dosage, the timing of administration, and route of administration all play a completely critical role in the outcome of your night’s rest. Both CBD and THC usage has been shown to provide sleep aid but in ultimately different ways.
THC And The Sleep-Wake Cycle: Pros And Cons
THC has been touted for having a sedative effect when taken before bed. It has been said to make users feel sleepier and also fall asleep faster. However, it will also release its psychoactive impacts along with the sedative effect and remain in your system long after the effects have worn off.
Side effects of the psychoactive properties include paranoia and anxiety, which can be detrimental if you are using THC for sleep purposes. It also slows down reaction times and cognitive thinking processes, so you will not be able to think as clearly.
THC consumption can also cause a dreamless sleep, which can be ideal for those who suffer from nightmares. People can build up a tolerance for THC, needing higher and higher doses over time to feel the same effects. This is something to be aware of if you are considering using THC as a sleep aid.
THC can help induce sleep - up until a point. With THC usage, there is a moment where tolerance causes it to cross over from a helpful sedative to disruptive. Users can experience increased insomnia if using THC as a sleep aid for long periods as tolerance builds in the body.
While it is considered a non-addictive property, some studies show a psychological dependence can form when regularly using THC. This is a reason why, ultimately, CBD is the better choice for a sleep remedy.
CBD and the Sleep-Wake Cycle: Pros and Cons
CBD is non-intoxicating, which is an often sought-after benefit to using this chemical compound to assist sleep. Suppose you have an inconsistent and frequently interrupted sleep-wake cycle due to your circadian rhythm or environment.
In that case, you may want to be able to quickly fall asleep without feeling intoxicating or groggy upon waking up. CBD is an incredible property that soothes and remedies the discomfort, soreness, or discomfort that can make it impossible to fall asleep.
CBD helps ease regulation throughout the endocannabinoid system, calming and balancing functions such as sleep, appetite, discomfort, and strengthening the immune system.
Smaller doses of CBD first thing in the day have been shown to increase wakefulness and alertness. Due to this effect, CBD helps aid and relieve the symptoms of sleepiness throughout the day.
This can help regulate the sleep-wake cycle by creating a tranquil sensation in the mornings, relieving stress, and allowing the body to move throughout the day without the exhaustion and frustration that can carry into the night.
Higher doses of CBD have been shown to have a sedative effect on the mind and body. CBD is non-toxic, non-intoxicating, relieving, and soothing.
Peels CBD Oil
If you are seeking a remedy that has the same medicinal benefits as CBD without the origin from the cannabis or hemp plant, Peels CBD Oil is the perfect option. It is a bio-identical CBD made from orange peels. That means there is no hemp and no THC, ever.
We use a proprietary process called Cyclic Terpene Assembly (CTA) to produce pure, consistent, and stable CBD derived from the terpenes found in orange peels. Our process guarantees no THC content in our products but no other toxic byproducts that are often found in hemp and cannabis-derived CBD products.
Peels CBD Oil for sleep provides the same medicinal and therapeutic effects as hemp or cannabis-derived CBD products. A smaller dose can emit feelings of focus and awakeness, while a larger dose can act as a sedative.
Some studies show that CBD acts as a positive compound in different treatment options for several health conditions. However, there is still much more research that needs to be conducted studying the effects of CBD on the wake-sleep cycle.
In Conclusion
The data behind CBD and sleep are still new and in the beginning days of development. Many studies that examine both THC and CBD’s effects on sleep are conducted with small sample groups and only follow long enough to explore short-term effects.
THC usage can lead to feelings of grogginess, intoxication, and ultimately needing more and more as the body builds up a tolerance. CBD has none of those side effects, making it the better choice as a long-term sleep aid. CBD balances the body’s systems that work together to set your body and mind up for the best possible chance at a good night’s rest.
Ultimately, neither CBD or THC guarantees a solid sleep if used alone. Just like CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, working in conjunction to provide balance throughout the body, a balance must also be brought to your sleep habits.
Combine CBD with other healthy habits, like keeping electronics away from the bed and establishing a relaxing nighttime routine. Bringing these different actions together will result in a blissful slumber.
Peels CBD Oil offers a bio-identical medicinal remedy that is derived from orange peel terpenes. This revolutionary CBD product provides the highest quality, lowest risk cannabinoid product on today’s market.
Sources:
Cannabis, Cannabinoids, and Sleep: A Review Of The Literature | Current Psychiatry Report
Potential Effects Of Cannabidiol As A Wake-Promoting Agent | Current Neuropharmacology