IF YOU’VE GIVEN UP ON BEING ABLE TO GET A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP, WE’VE GOT GOOD NEWS.

Insomnia affects 30 percent of the US population and is more prevalent in women than men. Insomnia is associated with difficulty falling asleep, difficulty maintaining sleep throughout the night, or a combination of both (1).

If you’re tired of relying on over-the-counter medicine or pharmaceuticals to fall asleep, it might be time to look for a more natural, holistic solution that works with your system, instead of against it. Insomnia not only saps your energy, it compromises your immune system, negatively affects your hormones and is linked to several serious health conditions.(1 & 2)

Why combine CBD with CBN?

The combination of CBD and CBN is gaining traction for those who experience insomnia. CBD in higher doses has a sedative, relaxing effect (3), and small amounts of CBN has been found in research to prolong sleep (4). It’s important to use full spectrum CBD, derived from the whole plant to create the entourage effect. The entourage effect is when all the compounds in the plant, once considered inactive, help boost the overall effectiveness.

The endocannabinoid system may play a role in regulating the sleep cycle (5), and more specifically the circadian rhythm, however this is still speculative. What we do know is that together these two amazing cannabinoids, CBN and CBD have a collective effect of relieving anxiety, reducing-inflammation, being neuroprotective and alleviating pain (6), all qualities that support good sleep.

Tips for finding what works for you

When I work with clients who have insomnia, I ask them to keep a sleep log to record the time they fell asleep (roughly), how long they slept, the actual time or times they woke up, and any consistent thoughts, positions and patterns to their sleep. I also encourage them to write a quick note about their dreams to give them insight into what might be contributing to insomnia.

Since there are a number of variables when working with CBD, CBN and terpenes to improve health, it is a good practice to document the brand, strain, delivery method, dose, as all of these variables are all important to assessing what works best to reduce insomnia. It is always important to start with a low dose of CBD and CBN and adjust the dose according to need.

At the end of the day, when your mind and body need to rest, and your endocannabinoid system needs some extra support, trying CBD and CBN may provide a restful night sleep for you.

Consult with your healthcare provider when using CBD and CBN especially if you are taking other supplements or prescriptions drugs as there may be contraindications. CBD, CBN or hemp is not a “miracle drug”, it is a plant that has health benefits and as more clinical trials take place we increase our understanding of this plant and its ability to improve health and well-being.

Blessings,
Janna Champagne, RN

References
1. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine, (2008). Insomnia, white paper. Retrieved from https://aasm.org/resources/factsheets/insomnia.pdf

2. Mallampalli, M. & Carter, C., (2014). Exploring sex and gender differences in sleep health: A society for women’s health research report. Journal of Women’s Health, 23(7), 553-562. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4089020/

3. Zhornitsky, S., & Potvin, S., (2012). Cannabidiol in humans-The quest for therapeutic targets. Pharmaceuticals5, 529-552. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph5050529

4. Yoshida, H., Usami, N., Ohishi, Y., Watanabe, K., Yamamoto, I., & Yoshimura, H., (1995). Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 43(2), 335-337. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7728937

5. Tringale, R., & Jensen, C., (2011). Cannabis and insomnia. O’Shaughnessy’s-Society of Cannabis Clinicians, Autumn 2011. Retrieved from https://www.beyondthc.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Tringale-Jensen-20111.pdf

6. Murillo-Rodriguez, E., Sarro-Ramirez, A., Sanchez, D., Mijangos-Moreno, S., Tejeda-Padron, A., Poot-Ake, A., Guzman, K., Pacheco-Pantoja, E., & Arias-Carrion, O., (2014). Current Neuropharmacology, 12(3), 269-272. Potential effects of cannabidiol as a wake-promoting agent. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4023456/