Many people struggle with sleep in some capacity, whether it is falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting up at a reasonable time. This common problem affects day-to-day life significantly, which is why many seek help for it. An increasingly common solution is to use CBD and melatonin to remedy this issue.
So, we are here to talk about what they are, how they work to improve sleep, and how to take them wisely.
What Does Melatonin Do?
Although it is a supplement, your body actually creates melatonin naturally, and its role is to regulate your sleep cycle. However, melatonin levels in the body can vary, which is why some may need to take a supplement to achieve sleep cycle regularity.
Circadian Rhythm and Sleep
You may have heard the term “circadian rhythm”, but do you know what it means and its importance on your sleep? Essentially, your circadian rhythm is your sleep/wake cycle that goes by a 24-hour clock. So, when the sun rises, you wake up, and when the sun goes down, you go to sleep. The light affects your circadian rhythm because it basically tells your body when to wake up and when to sleep. But, one’s circadian rhythm can get thrown off, such as when you travel to a different time zone and experience jet lag. This is where melatonin can come in and be a helpful solution.
How Melatonin Manages Your Circadian Rhythm?
As we know, our bodies naturally create melatonin, which is a hormone that determines when we go to sleep and when we wake up. But, how does it do this? Melatonin levels start rising a couple hours before you go to sleep, and it works over this period of time to get your body ready for bed. While melatonin floods your brain, cortisol (the stress hormone) levels drop, preparing your body for restful sleep.
After you have been asleep for about six hours, your melatonin levels decrease, which signals to your body that it is time to wake up. Generally, the lack of the light after the sun has set and the resulting decrease in temperature tells your body to start producing melatonin. In the same realm, the rising sun and increase in temperature signals your body to stop melatonin production, allowing you to wake up. That is why early morning light therapy has proven helpful in regulating sleep cycles and increasing wakefulness.
However, there are some that do not follow this natural sleep/wake cycle (which may explain those that like to stay up at all hours of the night or those that prefer to wake up early), and others seem to not even follow the 24-hour schedule at all.
Why You Might Need Melatonin Supplements
Various aspects of our modern-day lives can throw our natural sleep/wake cycle out of balance. While we already mentioned jet lag from traveling to a different time zone, other factors like having central heating in your home and looking at a screen for hours at a time can mess up our internal clocks, resulting in sleep issues. For example, if you often lay in bed at night looking at your phone screen, wondering why you are not getting tired despite it being late, then your circadian rhythm is the cause. Being exposed to bright light is inhibiting your natural melatonin production because your body still thinks it is daylight. While one option is to limit your screen time before bed, taking a melatonin supplement may also be helpful here and in other instances.
While this hormone is naturally present in our bodies, it is also present in plants, which is where the melatonin in supplements is sourced from. Melatonin supplements as sleep aids have been around since the 1990s, and they are over the counter, meaning you do not need a prescription to get them.
Although the FDA has not given melatonin supplements their stamp of approval, there is an overwhelming amount of research that designates them as not only safe to use, but also as highly effective in regulating sleep cycles and promoting better overall rest.
Can I Take CBD Oil with Melatonin?
While CBD oil and melatonin have different mechanisms of action, they are known to be an effective and powerful sleep aid when combined.
How Can CBD Help Sleep?
CBD is a cannabinoid found in cannabis plants, except it is non-psychoactive, unlike THC. Instead of making a user high, it offers a multitude of benefits, mainly the ability to calm and relax users. CBD, like all other cannabis compounds, work with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) and act on receptors to produce effects.
However, while taking CBD makes some users sleepy, it energizes others. So, effects vary by user and also by the type and form of CBD taken.
Combining CBD With Melatonin
But, when you combine CBD’s calming properties with melatonin’s ability to regulate sleep cycles, you get a powerhouse sleep aid that is more effective than taking these compounds alone.
The CBD will act on the receptors of your ECS to calm the central nervous system, while an influx of melatonin will signal to your brain that it is time to sleep.
How to Take Melatonin & CBD Gummies for Sleep
There are a number of supplements on the market containing both CBD and melatonin. However, since this type of supplement is not regulated by the FDA, you cannot trust all that you see. That is why BudPop came into the market — to be the brand with the best-quality products that you can trust. While we offer a variety of best-selling delta-8 and CBD products, our CBD gummies for sleep are a standout in the industry and favorite by our customers.
Our CBD + CBN Gummies for Sleep come in a 30-count bottle of blueberry-flavored cubes that each contain 25mg of CBD, 10mg of CBN, and 3mg of melatonin for a powerful and effective dose.
Since this sleep aid comes in gummy form, it is very simple to dose and take. You just have to chew one to two gummies about an hour before bedtime. If you are a beginner, stick to taking one gummy; but, if you are experienced with CBD and have tried these gummies before, you can up your dose to two if you feel it is necessary. Remember that since the gummies are chewed and swallowed, it will take awhile for the effects to kick in. So, always remember to take them in advance so you can fall asleep at a decent time.
Combining Melatonin and CBD for Sleep: How They Work Together? – Key Takeaways
With the number of people that struggle with their sleep in some capacity, natural sleep aids became a solution for many, and CBD and melatonin supplements are an effective choice. While CBD makes you calm and relaxed, melatonin readies your body for rest, making for a powerful combo that is praised by many.
However, you should always talk with your doctor before starting any new supplements to ensure they align with your medical history and needs. If your doctor gives you the go-ahead, you can start your journey to better rest and reset your internal clock with ease.