If you’re struggling with sleeping issues, you’re
probably looking at all of the different options out there that can help you
get a full night’s worth of shuteye. For
those who are seeking out more natural methods, two options come to mind
immediately: melatonin and CBD. While
these are both considered natural products that are easily available over the
counter, they actually work with the body in totally different ways.
What is Melatonin?
Melatonin is a neurotransmitter, which means that it’s
a hormone that serves a unique function in the brain. Melatonin is the “sleepy” hormone, as our
bodies naturally excrete it when it’s time for bed. Melatonin helps us feel relaxed enough to
fall asleep, as it overrides cortisol that can make us feel wired at nighttime.
The problem is that a lot of us are deficient in
melatonin. This is most often caused by
a high-stress lifestyle, where we produce too much cortisol for melatonin to
properly do its job. Maintaining the
right balance of neurotransmitters is a key factor of homeostasis, but our
daily lives can interfere with this crucial bodily process.
Therefore, those who are not producing adequate
melatonin levels often choose to consume it from an external source. Many plant sources naturally contain
melatonin that is utilized by the body in the same way as the melatonin that is
produced by the brain. Melatonin is
taken at night as it can be fast-acting.
It comes in the form of topicals, capsules and more.
So, does melatonin work for everyone? Well, not exactly. It tends to be a hit-or-miss experience, as
some people find that it simply isn’t powerful enough to overpower factors that
can contribute to a loss of a regular sleep cycle. Another common complaint with melatonin is
that after a while it stops working as the body has adjusted to it, and that it
can cause the body to stop producing its own.
Additionally, melatonin has a tendency to make a person feel groggy in
the morning.
What is CBD?
CBD is unique in that it doesn’t just work with
neurotransmitters, but the entire body.
That’s because it’s a cannabinoid, which means that it’s utilized by the
body’s endocannabinoid system to help regulate important bodily processes, with
hormonal balance being just one of them.
Therefore, CBD may regulate the secretion of melatonin as well as
cortisol and other hormones that are involved in a person’s sleep cycle. Besides that, CBD, unlike melatonin, does not
seem to create a tolerance issue as it doesn’t seem to interfere with the
body’s natural production of the hormone.
Rather, it seems to support the function of the neurotransmitters,
allowing for an environment in which they can work properly.
CBD comes in many forms, including topicals, edibles,
vape oils, tinctures and more. It can be
taken daily, and people who use it for sleep purposes tend to take it shortly
before bedtime. It’s rare for CBD to
make a person feel groggy the next morning, as the compound works quickly in
the body and doesn’t tend to provide lingering effects after it’s no longer
active.
Which One is Better Suited for Sleep?
As you can see, CBD may be a better option as it
doesn’t just control melatonin production but seems to have an effect on the
whole neurotransmitter system. In fact,
one of its most common uses is for sleep, and lots of people have made it a
crucial element to their nightly routine.
Now, bear in mind that there are some products on the market that
contain both CBD and melatonin.
If you wish to
use CBD for sleep, seek out a high-quality product that comes from a trusted
company, and take it consistently at nighttime.
Be aware that each delivery method has its own absorption rate, so time
your intake accordingly based on how long it will take for the CBD to peak in
the body. We suggest choosing a
milligram strength level that’s on the higher side, as this ensures that the
CBD is more potent once it’s been absorbed into your body.
Final Thoughts Before Going to Bed
Both CBD
and melatonin have been thoroughly studied for their effects on sleep,
and they’re both easy to find due to their high availability on the market. But, despite the fact that they’re commonly
used for the same issue, they don’t operate in the same manner once absorbed
into the body. If you’re looking for a
more holistic option, CBD may be the way to go.
Just make sure that you use the guide above to utilize hemp in the most
constructive way to reap the most potential benefits from this plant-based
compound.
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