Empowering your sleep: The role of CBD in women’s health
Whether it’s because of stress, hormonal changes, health issues, or even mom guilt, countless women struggle with getting a good night’s sleep, and it greatly impacts their daily lives.
In their search for a solution, many have stumbled upon CBD, discovering its ability to gift relaxation and, eventually, a restful slumber. But what exactly is CBD, and how can it give its users that elusive deep sleep? Let’s find out.
Understanding sleep challenges in women
Several factors contribute to these challenges. Hormonal fluctuations related to menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or menopause can significantly disrupt sleep. Additionally, stress and anxiety, which are statistically higher in women, can also play a significant role in sleep quality.
From your close circle of female family and friends, how many have complained about sleep problems or shown signs of lack of proper sleep? Sadly, the answer reveals that sleep concerns among women are far too common. Why, though?
Hormonal changes play a massive role in this issue. During menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause, hormones fluctuate more than the usual, affecting sleep patterns and making it hard to get decent shut-eye. For instance, during menopause, night sweats (hot flashes occurring at night) can disrupt women’s sleep several times. No wonder it’s often been described as challenging by those going through this stage in life.
Another common causes of sleep problems among women are stress and anxiety. No surprise here since the woman of today typically juggles multiple responsibilities, including work, home care, bills, and parenting. All these can lead to higher stress levels and make falling or staying asleep at night challenging.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol, most commonly called CBD, is a natural compound extracted from the still highly debated cannabis plant, which you might know as the source of marijuana. However, unlike its famous mind-bending cousin, tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC for short, CBD does not produce any psychoactive effects. This makes it a truly appealing option for people looking for relief from various health conditions without the ‘high’ produced by marijuana or other pharmaceutical drugs.
Why is CBD different when it comes from the same plant species? Well, because it comes primarily from the hemp plant, a cousin to marijuana but with more abundant concentrations of CBD and meager levels (0.3% or less) of THC.
While most may not be familiar with hemp, it has been used for thousands of years to make useful industrial products like rope, clothing, and paper. CBD is simply one of its gifts to humankind. For high-quality CBD products sourced from organic hemp and crafted with care, consider exploring brands like Spruce Natural Labs.
CBD’s potential in improving sleep for women
Let’s get into the science of it, but before we talk about the main topic, here’s a bit of background information to help you understand how CBD works.
CBD’s ability to produce its many sought-after health benefits lies in its interaction with one of the human body’s most important regulatory networks, the endocannabinoid system, or ECS. This vast and complex network of receptors, despite being relatively unknown to most people, is crucial in maintaining homeostasis, or balance in the body, and regulating functions such as pain, mood, appetite, sleep, and immune responses.
How can CBD improve sleep?
When CBD is consumed and enters our body, the compound interacts with receptors that influence the release of neurotransmitters and hormones, some of which are involved in sleep regulation.
For instance, CBD may boost the effects of serotonin, a natural chemical that regulates our mood and sleep cycles, by attaching to serotonin receptors. This action improves serotonin transmission, which heightens the effects of the feel-good hormone, resulting in users finding it a lot easier to fall and stay asleep. That’s not all. CBD also inhibits the secretion of cortisol, the stress hormone that can interfere with sleep at high levels.
Does CBD also help with common causes of sleep problems?
Oh, yes, it certainly does. Here’s how.
Anxiety and stress
As mentioned, CBD’s presence in the body positively affects serotonin transmission. Being involved in mood regulation, enhanced serotonin effects means less stress and a calmer mind.
Similarly, the interaction of CBD with GABA receptors and adenosine receptors have a common outcome – lower anxiety levels and a more relaxed body – though they work through different pathways and mechanisms. Lastly, let’s not forget that CBD’s interaction with the ECS, which regulates sleep and mood, among many others, potentially reduces stress and anxiety.
Pain and inflammation
Have you ever tried to get decent sleep while suffering from pain or inflammation? Probably didn’t go the way you’d hoped, did it? For many women, monthly menstruation means cramps or discomfort from menstrual-related disorders like endometriosis and premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Fibromyalgia and arthritis, particularly the dreaded rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, are also quite prevalent among women.
Thankfully, CBD has potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that help lessen pain that might interfere with daily functions and sleep. How? The CBD and ECS interaction reduces inflammation and the immune system’s inflammatory response. At the same time, its analgesic components disrupt pain-signaling pathways in the brain. A dual response to ease pain is just what we women need!
How to use CBD for sleep
If you need a reliable yet natural sleep aid and are considering CBD, it’s crucial that you choose the right products and understand how to use them properly. Here’s how to get started with your CBD journey towards better slumber.
Check the CBD status in your location
You must learn about CBD’s legal status to steer clear of any legal issues or penalties associated with the possession or use of CBD in your area. In the US, CBD derived from hemp with THC that does not exceed 0.3% is generally legal federally, but some states have their own rules regarding its sale and use.
In the UK, CBD products are legal as long as they have less than 0.2% THC and are derived from an industrial hemp strain that is EU-approved. Meanwhile, across the European Union, the situation can differ between countries, but most adhere to the same low THC guidelines as the UK.
Consult with a healthcare professional
It’s best to consult with a health professional before starting with CBD. This step ensures that someone who knows what they’re doing can offer guidance based on individual health history, current medications, and specific health needs. In case you’re not aware yet, CBD may interfere with existing treatments or conditions, so an expert advise on the appropriate dosage and form of CBD helps in making well-informed and safe choices.
Selecting products
Lucky for you and the rest of the sisterhood, CBD is available in various forms, such as oils, capsules, and edibles. But, for maximum benefits of CBD for sleep, the quality of the CBD product is just as important as the type you choose.
Make sure to only purchase high-quality CBD products from reputable sources like Dutch Natural Healing. Their products are all organic, made in Europe, and third-party tested to ensure purity and the absence of contaminants.
Dosage and timing
Start with a modest dose to see how your body reacts and only gradually increase as needed. If you’re using CBD strictly for better sleep, check the onset time for the product you chose. If it kicks in quickly, like CBD vape, tincture, and oil, take it about an hour before hitting the sack to help your body wind down and get ready for a restful slumber.
Know the possible side effects
While this wonder herb is generally considered safe to use, it’s not without potential side effects. Some may experience dizziness, dry mouth, or appetite changes. To avoid or minimize these adverse effects, stick with the above dosage instructions.
Improve women’s sleep with CBD
CBD is a promising natural remedy for improving sleep quality, something many women struggle to achieve. However, before we can enjoy a better slumber, we must first consult a healthcare professional, as well as know what to choose and how to use CBD products properly. If we utilize CBD the right way, we are a step closer to improving our sleep health.
