In today’s world of endless screen time and scrolling, sleep can often be elusive. Add to that the stresses of having young children and balancing being a mom with all of your other responsibilities, and it’s easy to spend a whole night tossing and turning rather than getting much-needed shut-eye.
While melatonin and chamomile teas are always an option, more and more women these days are turning to CBD to help them catch that restful REM sleep. But how safe and effective is CBD for sleep?
Keep reading to have your essential questions about using CBD gummies or a CBD oil tincture for restful sleep answered.
What Are the Benefits of CBD?
If you’re confused by what exactly we’re talking about when we say CBD, that’s okay – it’s only been a few years since hemp-produced CBD was legalized and began popping up in seemingly every possible type of supplement.
It’s found in vape juice, lotions, gummies, solvents, and countless other products. It has plenty of touted health benefits — including inducing sleepiness.
CBD (cannabidiol), which contains CBN (cannabinol), is a cannabinoid that comes from hemp extract, a cousin of the cannabis plant (although it can also be manufactured in a lab). CBD is one of many ingredients in marijuana, but it isn’t what gets you high (that would be THC or tetrahydrocannabinol).
CBD isolate on its own doesn’t contain any psychoactive ingredients but is known for promoting relaxation and stress relief, as a better night of sleep for those with sleep issues.
CBD is generally legal and usually well tolerated, although the only CBD product officially approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is a prescription oil used to treat epilepsy. These days, CBD can be found in nearly every kind of product, from droppers to topicals to supplements that provide up to 50 mg of CBD.
Sorting through all of these products to figure out which ones are effective, safe, and legal can be a bit of a headache. Just like choosing your next pair of maternity pants, there are a lot of factors to consider!
Let’s talk about it.
Does CBD Have Legal Red Tape On It?
Laws regarding CBD use and regulation vary state by state and are constantly being updated. In 2018, growing hemp became legal everywhere in the United States, making CBD oil products pretty much legal in all 50 states.
To cover all of your bases, you can check out a guide to CBD legalization by state or talk to your doctor about safe and legal CBD products they may recommend to help you get the sleep you need.
What Are the Effects of CBD?
Like many supplements, even the best CBD can cause mild side effects, including irritability, fatigue, and nausea.
Additionally, because it is marketed as a supplement (not a medication), there is no federal oversight for most CBD products. In other words, there’s no way to confirm that the CBD product you purchase does, in fact, contain the active ingredients listed at the listed dose.
It’s important to use caution before proceeding with any CBD product and only purchase from reputable and well-reviewed retailers. However, in general, experts consider CBD safe for use in relieving a wide range of health concerns, including feelings of anxiety, sleeplessness, and symptoms of chronic pain.
While more research is needed, initial studies do support claims that the best CBD products on the market can help improve sleep. CBD may help relieve feelings of anxiety so you can relax before bed — it can also aid people who have sleep disorders and chronic pain.
This is because of the extract’s effect on your endocannabinoid system, a subsystem of your nervous system that regulates stress. CBD binds to your body’s endocannabinoid receptors, creating a relaxing effect.
Can You Use CBD Oil for Sleep During Pregnancy?
If sleep can be elusive during normal times of life, that’s doubly true during pregnancy. Whether it’s morning sickness, restless legs, or your enormous belly keeping you up, it’s totally normal to see your sleep cycle disrupted during pregnancy.
Because of this, pregnancy might seem like the ideal time to add CBD into your bedtime routine to get better sleep. And you know the mantra here at Hatch: you do you!
Nowadays, there are many fun and tasty ways to try CBD — between edible gummies, oils, tinctures, vapes, and smokables; there’s truly something for everyone. It might take a few tries, but eventually, you’ll find a form of CBD that works for you and your needs.
With that being said, we only offer one word of caution: make sure you find a reputable source of CBD.
The FDA does not regulate CBD supplements, so CBD suppliers can basically put whatever they want in their CBD products as long as it’s not explicitly prohibited. When looking for a supplement, just make sure to choose a brand whose values and ethics align with yours, and you can trust to provide a good and healthy product.
Alternative Natural Sleep Aids
While full-spectrum CBD or broad-spectrum CBD are options to help you get some much-needed shut-eye, you have some other choices when it comes to getting enough sleep during pregnancy. From valerian root to passion flower and lemon balm, there are countless supplements that are safe to use during pregnancy.
However, there’s more you can do than take supplements.
Start a Bedtime Routine
One of the most important things you can do to get enough sleep is to build a consistent bedtime routine. Experts say that bedtime routines help our brains recognize that it’s time to unwind and go to bed. This can help you fall asleep faster and log higher-quality sleep.
Relax and Treat Yourself
A relaxing bedtime routine might include practicing self-care habits such as taking a nice aromatic soak in the tub, writing in a journal or reading before bed, or going through a skincare routine.
Whatever habits help you relax and wind down will generally help you get to sleep, even during times like pregnancy, when your mind might be going a million miles a minute.
Keep a Regular Sleep Schedule
Sleep experts say that one of the best ways you can get better quality sleep is by going to sleep and waking up at the same time consistently every day. When you get into the habit of going to sleep within the same half-hour window every night, your body starts to recognize that as a natural part of your circadian rhythm, and it can become easier to fall asleep.
Similarly, it can be easier to get yourself out of bed if you wake up around the same time every morning. Humans are creatures of habit, and the more consistent you are with your sleep patterns, the easier it will be to get that crucial shut-eye.
Move and Groove
Finally, numerous studies have linked regular exercise with improved sleep quality and a healthy circadian rhythm. Try implementing some pregnancy-safe exercise, such as prenatal yoga or long walks, into your daily routine.
With the addition of exercise, you might find yourself naturally more tired and able to sleep for longer at night. Plus, the endorphins released during exercise can work wonders on the mood swings and pregnancy brain that plague many women during this time.
Talk to a Professional
If sleep is consistently evading you during pregnancy and none of the typical solutions, such as practicing pre-bed self-care and following a consistent sleep schedule, are working, you should definitely consider talking to your doctor or another healthcare professional.
Sleep is critically important for nearly every way that your body functions, and being chronically sleep-deprived can cause a number of negative health impacts. During pregnancy, some sleep aids might be off the table, but that doesn’t mean that you should suffer through life exhausted.
Don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor and let them know what you’re experiencing. They’ll be able to recommend sleeping solutions that are safe for both you and baby throughout your pregnancy and while nursing, if applicable.
Let’s Review
So, CBD. Let’s review what we’ve discussed:
CBD brands make high-quality products using an extract that comes from the hemp plant (often organic, non-GMO hemp grown without the use of any pesticides).
Although it’s used as an ingredient in marijuana, CBD doesn’t contain any psychoactive chemicals itself; even in higher doses, you still won’t get high from CBD.
CBD oil is THC-free, typically gluten-free, third-party lab-tested and generally considered safe and effective. But because it’s a supplement, it’s not regulated by the FDA — so it’s important to find a reputable supplier and find a form that works best for you.
If you’re struggling to find sleep and can’t turn to CBD as a solution, consider other sleeping aid strategies, such as practicing a relaxing bedtime routine or talking to a healthcare professional.
Pregnancy and early motherhood are super special times in your life, but they can also be overwhelming! Getting enough high-quality sleep is critically important.
Again, if you have any questions, definitely talk to a healthcare professional to make sure that you’re making the safest and healthiest choice for YOU. At the end of the day, nothing else matters!
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