Trying to get a solid night’s sleep when you suffer from insomnia is a truly frustrating challenge that so many Americans unfortunately deal with. If you struggle with this chronic issue, we are here to let you in on a way to sleep deeper and overall so much better by combining CBD and melatonin. You heard that right!
Eat This, Not That! spoke with Chris Adlakha, PharmD of Elevated Wellness who shares with us, “CBD can help regulate REM sleep for deeper and longer sleep, while melatonin helps with sleep onset. CBD on its own is often not very sedating, so melatonin can really help you fall asleep quicker.” Read on to learn more about the positive effects CBD and melatonin can have on your nighttime snooze. And next, don’t miss The 6 Best Exercises for Strong and Toned Arms in 2022, Trainer Says.
CBD is so effective when it comes to improving your sleep, and Adlakha explains exactly why. Many negative symptoms you may be feeling from certain conditions can be relieved by taking CBD. Some conditions include inflammation, restless leg syndrome, stress, over-active minds, mental anguish, light or insufficient REM sleep, pain, overly vivid dreaming, and just about every condition you may be dealing with. Chronic issues can negatively impact your ability to sleep. The fact that CBD can address just about all of these things—based on the particular formulation—CBD is a natural choice to help you get the restful Z’s you are longing for.
Adlakha does caution, “This doesn’t mean any CBD product will help. Really, people should look for CBD products that contain more indica-dominant cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids (CBN, THC, Myrcene, Linalool, etc), or find a solution that combines cannabis compounds and melatonin, or even other adaptogens or nootropics (like L-theanine, Pharma-GABA, etc.).”
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If you’re having difficulty falling and staying asleep, it’s always wise to try to identify what may be causing the problem in the first place. Adlakha recommends the Sleep Aid Max, which is made to be “fail-safe.” This product works on the majority of problems that cause sleep-related issues. And if you’re wondering what makes this product so effective, Adlakha explains that their sleeping aids are “fully ultrasonic homogenized.” That means your body absorbs them more, also known as bioavailability.
The 2000mg Sleep Aid Tincture, according to Adlakha, “is a CBD isolate with 300mg of melatonin (66.6mg CBD / 10mg melatonin per mL) suspended in an organic MCT oil.” He also tells us, “Sleep Aid MAX is a full spectrum tincture with boosted CBN and THC, with a light (almost micro) dose of melatonin, and includes a terpene infusion with indica-based cannabis terpenes that are organic and kosher,” adding, “The Sleep Aid MAX is also ultrasonic homogenized into organic MCT oil.”
If you decide to use the product, it’s recommended to take it about 1/2 hour to 1 hour prior to heading to sleep. You’ll put 1/2 to 1 ml underneath your tongue, keep it there for around 60 seconds, and then swallow. Consistency is strongly recommended—it should be taken each night to achieve the best results. On average, the product’s highest results seem to occur between 2 to 3 hours after dosing, although some reach peak performance earlier or later since everyone’s body chemistry varies. Adlakha also stresses, “We like to recommend users (especially new to cannabis users) take it low and slow. In other words, they should start with a lower dose and try that for a few nights (up to 7 nights) before deciding to increase their dosage. Some may only need to take as needed, and that’s completely okay as well.”
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In case you are wondering, melatonin by itself can totally be a sleep helper and assist with longer REM sleep, but Adlakha warns, “There can be inherent issues for certain body chemistries.” The reason is simple. Some individuals are suddenly awakened by pretty realistic dreams that can be a reaction to taking melatonin by itself. Melatonin also won’t be much of a pain reliever or aid with issues such as stress, restless leg syndrome, etc.
Adlakha advises, “Having CBD or cannabis compounds along with melatonin can help with issues that affect sleep, but can also calm down some of the side effects involved with melatonin, like excessive vivid dreaming/nightmares, etc. We believe it’s not entirely a good idea to rely on melatonin alone, as users tend to have to take more and more over time.” Too much melatonin can actually compromise the body’s natural production of melatonin. Supplementing with cannabis compounds can potentially avoid that risk—especially if you use a cannabis solution that contains minimal to no melatonin. (The Sleep Aid MAX and Terpene Infused Relax Line contain absolutely no melatonin).
Cannabis and melatonin make a great combo for individuals with greater sleep issues, such as difficulty getting to sleep because of an overactive mind, or inflammation and pain that negatively impact sleep. The two products together have been majorly successful recently.
Adlakha stresses, “Melatonin may not be entirely necessary if the right formulation of cannabis chemicals is present in the product.” He explains if you’re able to repair your sleep problem successfully without supplementing with melatonin (or higher melatonin doses), you’re on a good track. Interestingly, the human body typically produces enough melatonin on its own to work well with the dose of CBD. “Some people really want the melatonin included, and some body chemistries lack the ability to produce sufficient levels of natural melatonin, which makes supplementing CBD with melatonin a helpful, useful, and effective addition,” he explains.
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Alexa Mellardo
Alexa is the Mind + Body Deputy Editor of Eat This, Not That!, overseeing the M+B channel and delivering compelling fitness, wellness, and self-care topics to readers. Read more
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