Today's fast-paced modern society can be stressful, and more people than ever suffer sleep disorders as a result. According to the National Sleep Foundation, 35% of American adults get less than 7 hours of sleep per night, the minimum recommended amount for a good night's rest.
While there are prescription medications to help with sleep, many folks with sleep disorders shy away from harsher drugs and opt for more natural remedies such as Valerian root, GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid), or chamomile tea*.
Melatonin is one of the most popular supplements for sleep disorders, and an increasing number of people are now experimenting with CBD (cannabidiol), one of the most common cannabinoids, for sleep.
In this blog post, we'll look at both compounds, how they work, and help you decide which is right for you.
What is CBD?
CBD is one of over a hundred naturally-occurring cannabinoids found in hemp plants or Cannabis sativa. Unlike its famous cousin, THC, tetrahydrocannabinol, CBD has no psychoactive properties and will not get you "high". People use CBD products for several reasons to help improve overall wellness*.
Unlike THC, CBD doesn't bind itself to the receptors in your body that are part of your endocannabinoid system (ECS). Instead, it influences your ECS in other ways, interacting with enzymes and receptors like serotonin that can influence your mood.
In 2018, the Farm Bill legalized the production and sale of hemp products as long as they do not contain more than 0.03% THC. Since then, CBD products have exploded into the market and now are found everywhere, including grocery stores and gas stations.
There are many ways to include CBD in your wellness regimen, and the most popular products include CBD gummies, supplements, tinctures, and oils. Topical creams are also available if you are targeting a specific area in your body that you'd like to treat.
Learn more on how CBD works in the body.
What is Melatonin?
Melatonin is a hormone that your brain's pineal gland produces that tells the body when it is time to sleep, usually when it gets dark. This sleep hormone is responsible for regulating your circadian rhythm and internal clock.
Melatonin interacts with the MT1 and MT2 receptors found throughout your body in various places like your central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, and tissues. Effects of melatonin include lowering blood pressure, stress hormones, and body temperature, altogether inducing a sense of calm and relaxation.
Although melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone, people with sleep disorders often take melatonin supplements, preferring them over pharmaceutical drugs.
CBD and Melatonin for Sleep: Similarities and Differences
Types of Products
CBD and melatonin are often available in the same types of products like gummies, capsule supplements, and tinctures. They both don't require a prescription and can be easily bought in a pharmacy, health food stores, or online shops.
When to Use CBD vs. Melatonin
CBD and melatonin have different effects on the body. While melatonin biologically induces sleepiness, CBD promotes a sense of calm and relaxation* that might make it easier to fall asleep.
CBD may influence mood but doesn't physically affect your circadian rhythm, while melatonin increases your sleep hormones that tell your body when it is time to go to bed.
It can also help regulate the sleep-wake cycle of those who have shift work that requires them to be awake when it's dark and sleep when it's light.
Which one is for you? Why not have both? Combining them can help lower stress, improve mood, and help melatonin work its magic.
Fab CBD Sleep Gummies include a powerful combination of CBD, melatonin, Ashwagandha, and GABA to help support a good night's sleep.
GABA, or Gamma-aminobutyric acid, is a neurotransmitter in your brain that also influences your state of relaxation and the sleep-wake cycle. GABA can reduce brain activity and anxiety, making it easier for you to fall asleep.
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an herb that has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for many years. It is also nicknamed the "Indian ginseng" because, in addition to being used as a sleep aid, it is also known to reduce stress, promote relaxation, and regulate cortisol, the stress hormone*.
Final Thoughts on CBD and Melatonin
If you have trouble sleeping at times, you aren't alone. Many suffer from chronic or acute sleep disturbances, which can be disruptive and draining. Now that you know the differences between melatonin and CBD in promoting sleep, you can experiment with both and decide what's best for your wellness regimen.
If you have an existing medical condition and are on prescription drugs, be sure to speak with your healthcare provider before including either melatonin or CBD into your routine.
Although CBD and melatonin are considered safe, they can still interact with existing drugs and reduce their effectiveness or cause unwanted side effects.
If you'd like to find out how to sleep better, here's a blog post that might help. Good luck, and here's to better sleep quality!
*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
