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CBD, the Sleep Cycle and Better Rest

CBD, the Sleep Cycle and Better Rest

Apr 19th 2021

What is the Sleep Cycle? How May CBD Improve Sleep?

Nothing is worse than getting a terrible night’s sleep. Why? Because it usually means that you are about to have a rough and exhausting day. Using CBD oil may help to diminish disruption in sleep. Understanding the body’s sleep cycle may help clear up why you have not been getting the rest you need. Disruptions in this important process within the body can lead to all kinds of sleep issues. It causes millions of people in the United States to have difficulty getting enough rest.

The CDC reports that:

  • -More than 35% of adults get less than seven hours of sleep every night.
  • -The split between men (35.5%) and women (34.8%) is very close.
  • -The age group with the largest number of people who get less than seven hours of sleep per night is 45-54-year-olds.
  • -High school students are recommended to get between 8 and 10 hours of sleep every night.
  • -More than 68% of them report getting less than eight hours of sleep.
  • -71.3% of these individuals were female, and 66.4% of them were male.

The bottom line is that sleep is important, and we’re certainly not getting enough of it. Let’s talk about the sleep cycle, how it impacts sleep quality and quantity, and how CBD may be an option to help.

What is the Sleep Cycle?

The term sleep cycle refers to the fluctuation between the REM and slow-wave phases of sleep. It can be called by a few different names, including the ultradian sleep cycle, the REM-NREM cycle, and the sleep-dream cycle. The sleep cycle typically takes between one and two hours to complete in humans.

Without proper sleep at night, our bodies are unable to function as they should. There are several health problems that are linked with a lack of sleep as well. Sleeping allows us to restore our bodies and minds. It is made up of two interacting systems called the biological clock and the sleep-wake homeostat. As they work together, they are responsible for our transitions from being awake to falling asleep and vice versa.

Normally, we go to sleep at night and remain awake during the day. This can change, of course; especially for people who work the night shift, or who have to alternate shifts. But when the sleep cycle is disrupted, it can make it very difficult to get a good night’s rest.

So, What Exactly Happens While You Sleep?

Several decades ago, scientists had a very limited understanding of sleep. They believed that as we drift off to sleep, our brains and bodies go into a period of shutting down. During that time, they believe that we were in a completely passive state that allowed us to recover from the events and stresses of the day.

It is an explanation that seems to make sense, but it is a far cry from what really happens while you sleep.

If you were to take a look at a brain scan of a person who is asleep, you would see that there’s nothing passive about it. Your brain is always going through various patterns of activity. It is a very predictable cycle that actually takes you through five different stages. These stages continue to repeat all night long, around every 90 minutes or so.

Sleep Stage One

During the first stage of sleep, you have just dozed off, and your brain starts making alpha and theta waves. Your eye movements slow down considerably, and you are in light stage sleep. During this stage, you can easily be woken up, and you are still somewhat alert.

This stage usually only lasts a few minutes, and when someone says they took a “cat nap,” this is usually what they’re referring to.

Sleep Stage Two

If you’re planning to take a “power nap,” you’ll want to plan to wake up when this stage is over. The second stage of sleep lasts for only about 20 minutes. During this stage, the brain starts to produce very short periods of rapid, rhythmic brain waves. These are known as sleep spindles.

As time passes, those brain waves start to slow down again. Your body’s temperature also drops and if you wear a fitness tracker to bed, you’ll notice that your heart rate slows down significantly.

Sleep Stage Three

The third stage is when your brain begins to make the transition from light sleep into deep sleep. Slower brain waves called Delta waves begin to emerge during this time.

Sleep Stage Four

During the fourth stage of sleep, it is easy to see the Delta waves on a brain scan. This stage marks the beginning of very deep sleep, which typically lasts for about 30 minutes. Eye movement and muscle activity stop during this stage, and you don’t wake up as easily here. Your body loses much of its responsiveness to outside stimuli.

As the brain produces even more Delta waves, you find yourself moving into an even deeper sleep. This stage is very restorative for your mind and body, but both are still hard at work. Your body is repairing injured muscles and tissues. Your growth and development is being stimulated, and your immune system gets an added boost too. Your body is also busy building up energy for the next day.

This stage of sleep is also when people tend to sleepwalk or wet the bed if they have a tendency to do so.

Sleep Stage Five

REM stands for Rapid Eye Movement, and the fifth stage is when this takes place. In addition to rapid eye movements, this stage is characterized by increased breathing rates and brain activity. One of the most interesting parts about this stage is the fact that your muscles become paralyzed. It is also the stage in which dreaming takes place.

You dream because of the increased brain activity, and any voluntary muscles in your body become paralyzed to keep you from acting out those dreams. Your involuntary muscles (like your heart) continue to work as normal during this stage of sleep.

Most of us never even notice any type of paralysis at all while we’re in REM sleep. We’re too busy dreaming. But there are some people who experience a condition called hypnopompic sleep paralysis. When it happens, the person becomes aware of what’s happening around them before the end of their REM cycle. They may panic when they find that they are unable to move their body or talk.

How Might CBD Oil Help You Sleep?

Most people don’t realize that humans have been using cannabis for its health benefits for a very long time. It was first mentioned in an ancient Hebrew text that dates back to 1500 B.C. In 1200 A.D. it was used as a sleep aid in a Chinese medical text.

People still use it to help them get better rest at night today, and using CBD oil for sleep has grown in popularity. CBD is short for cannabidiol, and it is a compound that can be found in both hemp and marijuana. Unlike THC, CBD does not get you high. But it may still have many of the same health benefits.

Consumer Reports conducted a survey of people who had tried CBD. Around 10% of them stated that they had used hemp oil to help them sleep better at night. Most of these individuals reported that it worked well for them.

CBD and its Effects on the Sleep Cycle

CBD may impact the sleep cycle directly because there are cannabinoid receptors in the brain that it interacts with. In doing so, it might help to regulate this cycle. But what’s interesting about using CBD is that it doesn’t seem to cause sleepiness when it is taken in the middle of the day. People often find that it helps to increase their alertness during the daytime hours and helps them calm down and prepare to sleep at night.

There is still so much more that needs to be done on how CBD may impact the sleep cycle. But we do know that it could help in other, less direct ways as well.

CBD May Ease Nightly Discomfort

The National Sleep Foundation reports that 21% of Americans experience chronic discomfort every day. Another 36% of people report having acute aches and pains within the last week. That means there are a lot of people who may find it difficult to get comfortable when they go to sleep at night.

Nothing is worse than being exhausted but unable to get a good night’s rest due to discomfort. This can lead to problems within the sleep cycle, but it can also make it difficult for people to fall asleep at all. Fortunately, CBD may be able to provide some relief.

The human body is equipped with an endocannabinoid system (ECS), which CBD may interact with. As it does, it helps the cells in the body to respond, which can lead to less discomfort and less inflammation.

Taking CBD regularly may result in fewer aches and pains, and in turn, better quality sleep at night. People also may find that they’re able to stay in bed longer without feeling so uncomfortable that they need to get up.

CBD May Reduce Stress Levels

Maintaining high levels of stress is a sure-fire way to lose sleep at night. You may be feeling exhausted by the time your head hits the pillow. But because your thoughts are racing out of control, actually getting some Zs can prove to be rather difficult. Adding CBD to your daily regimen may result in a calmer mind that is finally able to drop off to sleep.

CBD may have an impact on the amount of serotonin in your body. People who suffer from a great deal of stress often find that they are deficient in this chemical. Once they get it regulated, they often find that they experience:

  • -A lot more happiness on a day-to-day basis.
  • -A calmer mind.
  • -Improved focus and concentration.
  • -Less awkwardness in social situations.
  • -Less of a need to be in control of everything, and better able to simply let go.

Problems with “shutting the brain off” is a frequent complaint from people who struggle to sleep well at night. Hemp oil could provide them with the assistance they need to finally get some well-deserved rest.

CBD Vs. THC During REM Sleep

Sometimes people are hesitant to try CBD because they use marijuana either medically or recreationally. In their minds, they are getting what they might think of as the “best of both worlds.” But what they may not realize is that the THC they are experiencing could be hindering their sleep cycle.

THC has a tendency to impact REM sleep, and many regular cannabis users report not dreaming much at all. The REM stage is extremely important, and it is during this stage that we learn and process memories.

On the other hand, CBD does not appear to negatively impact REM sleep at all. Instead, it may support the processes that are taking place in the brain during this stage.

Other Benefits of REM Sleep

Most people don’t really mind if they don’t remember their dreams, or if they don’t dream at all. But REM sleep has a lot of benefits, which is why it’s such a critical stage in the sleep cycle.

We know that there are health consequences of not getting enough sleep at night. These can range from falling asleep at the wheel to having an increased risk of heart disease and dementia. Dying an early death has also been linked with not getting enough sleep. But research that was published in the Journal of Neuroscience tells us that REM is much more important than most people realize.

Some of the additional benefits of REM sleep include:

  • -Fewer sensations of fear.
  • -Less risk of developing PTSD.
  • -Improved ability to read people’s emotions.
  • -Better ability to process external stimuli.
  • -Less norepinephrine secretions, which is associated with stress.

Clearly, REM sleep is very important. If you’re not getting enough of it, you’re going to notice; both in the short and long-term.

Are There Any Side Effects When Taking CBD Oil for Sleep?

You may experience some side effects when you first start taking CBD oil for sleep. This is to be expected when adding any supplement to your regimen. Most people don’t have any side effects at all but can occur if you exceed the recommended amount. Sometimes it is best to start with a smaller dose and work up to your ideal amount. 25 mg is a common serving size for many people to experience benefits, but yours could be more or less.

It’s also important for us to mention the fact that CBD may interact with medications you’re currently taking. If you are on prescription medication, it is always a good idea to talk with your doctor before starting a CBD regimen. This will cut down on any unnecessary interactions that could cause problems for you later on.

About Serious Rest CBD Oil From Receptra Naturals

Serious Rest CBD Oil may be just what you’re looking for if you’ve been missing out on a good night’s rest. One version of this product contains chamomile, which may help even further with calming your mind and body as you prepare to sleep.

Our CBD oil has been formulated with a blend of natural and organic ingredients, which include:

  • Vanilla
  • Peppermint
  • Valerian root
  • Linalool
  • MCT oil

Many of our customers report having had more vivid dreams, which is proof that they are spending time in the REM stage of sleep. When you sleep well, you’re able to wake up feeling refreshed, energized end empowered to take on your day.

Will CBD Regulate Your Sleep Cycle? Give it a Try Today!

At Receptra Naturals, we know how elusive sleep can be for any number of reasons. Whether you’re finding it hard to catch some Zs because you’re stressed, you’re experiencing discomfort or your sleep cycle seems out of balance, CBD oil may help you.

There’s no doubt that missing out on quality sleep can have a negative impact in your life. It not only can cause you to struggle to think clearly, but there can be long-term consequences as well. As always, we want nothing more than for you to live your life in good health. It’s possible that CBD may become a key player in helping you reach that goal, starting with your sleep cycle.

Maybe you’ve tried other natural remedies for sleep, but you’ve found them to be lacking in one way or another. If you have never tried CBD for sleep, we want to invite you to give Serious Rest CBD Oil a try. You may find that there is no need to search for a solution any longer.

Do you have questions about Serious Rest or using CBD oil for sleep in general? We would love to hear from you. Please contact us.