Sleep better with CBD for insomnia

In 2022 it was estimated that more than a third of the European population struggled to get a good night's sleep. There are many reasons for this: stress, psychological problems, and worries prevent us from getting a good night's sleep. If this situation persists over a prolonged period, we speak of insomnia.

Healthy sleep is the be-all and end-all if you want to be fit and productive during the day. But many people suffer silently from insufficient sleep or even sleep disorders and search in vain for a solution. Sedatives or sleeping pills numb rather than provide relaxed sleep.

Cannabidiol (CBD), on the other hand, interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system and can, therefore, have a calming and anxiety-relieving effect that supports restful sleep.

What are sleep disorders? - Definition

The International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD) produced by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine – the primary resource for those who operate in the field of sleep science – divides sleep disorders into 8 categories:

1. Insomnia

Insomnia goes beyond occasional sleep difficulties. People with insomnia regularly have great difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep throughout the night. And even if they succeed, they wake up feeling all but rested.

2. Sleep-related breathing disorders

This umbrella term refers to sleep apnea or abnormal respiratory patterns during sleep, which lead to low oxygen levels.

3. Central disorders of hypersomnolence

Those who deal with hypersomnia (sleep addiction) spend a considerable amount of time sleeping and nevertheless tend to feel sleepy during the day.

4. Circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders

In these cases, the internal clock is not synchronized to the external environment. This causes one to be wary when it's light and energetic when it's dark.

5. Parasomnias

Parasomnias are a group of sleep disorders that cause unusual behaviors during sleep such as sleepwalking, talking, or sleep paralysis.

6. Sleep-related movement disorders

Unconscious movement patterns that occur during sleep. These include sleep-related bruxism, periodic limb movements, and leg cramps.

7. Isolated symptoms, apparently normal variants, and unresolved problems.

Causes of sleep disorders

Sleep disorders put a heavy strain on your daily life, and there can be different reasons why you regularly suffer from lack of sleep. Whether CBD is a suitable remedy to alleviate sleep problems depends mainly on what triggers them.

Sleep disorder caused by anxiety

Anxiety or an anxiety disorder is often accompanied by sleep problems. Those with anxiety or panic disorders are consistently under stress and find it extremely difficult to rest. Thanks to its interaction with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), CBD can have a calming effect and provide relief.

Sleep disorders due to pain

Severe pain can also be the reason why you cannot fall asleep. Pain keeps the human body on constant alert, preventing relaxation and inner peace. Research has underlined CBD's ability to reduce pain transmission and curb pain perception. This applies to both chronic pain and inflammatory conditions or irritation. Experiencing less pain leads to better sleep, which allows your body to regenerate.

Sleep disorders related to other factors

Besides anxiety and pain, many other factors can have an impact on your sleep. Racing thoughts, daily stress, or problems at work or with your family can be the reason for sleepless nights. In most cases, CBD products will help you fall asleep and sleep through the night.

Sleep disorder Symptoms

Depending on the type and severity, sleep disorders can be accompanied by various symptoms, among which:

  • Daytime sleepiness
  • Insufficient oxygen supply
  • Morning headaches
  • Listlessness
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Irritability
  • Waking up in the night
  • Mood swings
  • Forgetfulness

The listed symptoms can be confirmed by polysomnography, a non-invasive procedure that measures physiological functions during sleep.

Sleep disorders diagnosis

Diagnosing sleep problems can be challenging and may require a combination of diagnostic methods. The most common is probably polysomnography. It is carried out in a sleep clinic and involves the monitoring of brain activity, eye movements, heart rate, breathing, muscle activity, and other body functions during sleep.

Sleepwalkers rely on video polysomnography. If you suspect a circadian sleep-wake disorder, you're usually required to keep a sleep diary to record sleep-related information over an extended period of time. In this case, it is also common to measure your melatonin levels.

Finally, to confirm hypersomnia, you undergo a multiple sleep latency test.

CBD for insomnia

Sleep is vital for our physical and mental well-being, and its lack can lead to unpleasant side effects, ranging from poor concentration and migraine to mood swings and eye disorders. Unfortunately, insomnia and other widespread sleep disorders affect a large part of the population.

In this regard, the use of cannabidiol (CBD) represents a promising approach. Indeed, CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and other neurotransmitter systems and appears, therefore, to support the regulation of various physiological functions, including sleep.

The ECS is a network of receptors found throughout the body that are responsible for maintaining the balance of physiological functions. Malfunctioning of the endocannabinoid system negatively affects your health, weakening the immune system, for example. Recent research has shown that the endocannabinoid system is profoundly implicated in the regulation of the sleep-wake cycle. Good sleep quality is also ensured by a healthy endocannabinoid system.

However, CBD does not have a direct influence on your sleep. Instead, it affects your body in many ways, which in their sum, greately contribute to improving sleep quality:

  • Cannabidiol binds with the receptors that make up the body's endocannabinoid system.
  • This stimulation can have a calming, anxiety-relieving effect that reduces stress.
  • You feel more relaxed, can let go of everyday worries, and peacefully slip into sleep.

Users of CBD products, such as CBD oil, CBD capsules, and CBD crystals, consistently report a sleep-promoting effect. CBD makes anxiety fade into the background. The cycle of negative thinking that prevents you from relaxing subsides, and you come to rest.

However, a direct effect on sleep - as is the case with melatonin - could not yet be proven by clinical trials or scientific studies. But CBD isn't the only sleep-friendly component of the hemp plant. Cannabinol (CBN) also interacts with our endocannabinoid system, and studies have highlighted possible anticonvulsant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, and mild sedative properties. CBN is a versatile cannabinoid that is well-suited to interact with CBD and melatonin.

But how can the synergy between CBD, CBN, and melatonin help us sleep better?

Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland. It serves to regulate what is known as the body's circadian rhythm and is secreted at night. The circadian rhythm is our biological clock. Adapting to the different parts of the day, it regulates important physiological functions such as metabolism and sleep.

When our biological clock isn't coordinated with the external environment, we begin to experience discomfort. A well-known example is jet lag. But the body's melatonin production is constantly threatened by factors such as stress, exposure to light, or simply advancing age. That's why doctors and nutritionists often recommend taking a melatonin supplement before bed. Melatonin is a safe product, and unlike conventional sleep aids, it is very well tolerated and almost free of side effects.

CBNight, our natural sleep tincture, contains a balanced blend of melatonin, CBD, and CBN. These three molecules establish a harmonious synergy that can fend off insomnia and restore a healthy circadian rhythm, improving general sleep quality.

Testimonials and studies about CBD for insomnia

Many users report that CBD makes you sleepy, providing effective support for insomnia and sleep disorders. One reads that, especially in the case of sleep problems related to pain, anxiety, and stress, CBD oil and capsules noticeably improve sleep quality.


Researchers, too, are aware of hemp's potential and investigate the sleep-promoting effect of CBD. In a 2020 double-blind clinical trial, 23 test subjects were divided into two groups. The first one took a cannabinoid blend, and the second one a placebo for 14 days. The results confirmed the experience of CBD oil users. All test subjects who received cannabis products fell asleep quicker and slept through the night. The majority of participants reported that this significantly improved their general well-being.


In addition, several studies document CBD's effectiveness in treating anxiety-related sleep disorders. Scientific publications attest to CBD's value in treating certain neuropsychiatric disorders such as epilepsy, anxiety, and some forms of depression. A clinical trial involving 72 adults with anxiety and sleep disorders showed that CBD can have a calming effect on the central nervous system, significantly reducing the symptoms of both disorders.


Moreover, recent studies on sleep and cannabinoids (THC, CBD, CBN, CBG) show that CBD may be promising for treating REM sleep behavior disorders and excessive daytime sleepiness. The Sleep Foundation also recommends CBD to counteract sleep disorders. As for CBN, some studies suggest it may be useful in treating symptoms of ADHD or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.


A study involving study subjects diagnosed with ADHD found that the intake of high doses of pure CBN led to lower ASRS scores. In addition, both cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN) are thought to have significant analgesic properties. Accordingly, they can help relieve chronic muscle pain, TMJ disorders, and fibromyalgia. On top of that, neither compound causes relevant side effects. Let's now move to melatonin.


According to various scientific reviews, melatonin supplements are well-tolerated and have no negative effects, even if consumed regularly. On the one hand, melatonin has been shown to have antioxidant properties while playing a crucial role in neuronal survival. On the other, it is said to harmonize circadian rhythms, thus improving sleep quality.


Melatonin is helpful not only for insomnia. It also helps manage breathing-related sleep disorders and hypersomnolence. Melatonin is an alternative supplement to currently available pharmaceutical treatments and, unlike them, has almost no side effects.