CBD Oil and Its Effects on Anxiety and Sleep
In the past 24 months, an estimated 64 million Americas have tried cannabidiol (CBD) according to a January 2019 nationally representative Consumer Reports survey. Out of the consumer’s surveyed, 22% replaced their current medications entirely with CBD and 30% took CBD in addition to the medication. Out of the 22% that replaced their medications entirely with CBD, 33% replaced their anti-anxiety medications and 22% replaced their sleep medications. With over 50% having replaced their anxiety and sleeping medications with CBD, even more people are wondering does CBD really help with anxiety and sleep?
A Recent CBD Oil Sleep Study
A recent study published on January 7, 2019 by Scott Shannon, MD in collaboration with the Department of Psychiatry from the University of Colorado concluded CBD may beneficial for anxiety and sleep related disorders. The study’s objective was to determine whether CBD helps improve sleep and/or anxiety in a clinical population. The final sample of this study consisted of 72 adults with primary concerns of anxiety or poor sleep while using a scoring system to measure their anxiety and sleep. Within the first month, 57 patients (79.2%) reported a decrease in their anxiety scores and remained decreased during the study duration. Sleep scores also improved for 48 patients (66.7%) but fluctuated over time.
This 2019 study is not the only published medical study in respect to anxiety and sleep. CBD has been shown to be helpful for decreasing anxiety through a simulated public speaking test at doses of 300mg – 600mg in single-dose studies. Other studies suggest lower doses of 10mg are more beneficial than higher doses of 100mg. A crossover study comparing CBD with nitrazepam (a benzodiazepine that is used for short-term relief from severe, disabling anxiety and insomnia) found that high-dose CBD at 160mg increased the duration of sleep. Another crossover study showed that plasma cortisol levels decreased more significantly when CBD was used orally.
CBD Oil Does Help Anxiety and Sleep
Through medical studies and consumer report surveys, it has been shown that CBD may help with anxiety and sleep. As a result of the 2014 and 2018 Farm Bill, CBD derived from hemp is federally legal and easily accessible online and in stores throughout the country. Hemp derived CBD is sold in a large variety of consumption methods including, CBD oils, CBD hemp flower, CBD vapes, CBD topicals, and CBD edibles. Before purchasing any CBD products online, always make sure the CBD hemp products are third-party lab tested to ensure purity and accuracy in potency. If you are thinking about switching to CBD oil or using it in combination with your current medications, please consult a health care professional before doing so.