Does CBD Make You Sleepy?

Quick Summary

Will CBD make you tired is a popular question here in the US, simply because most of us do not get the quality sleep that we need. There are CBD products that are specifically formulated to help with sleep. However, CBD is not a sedative. Studies have shown that CBD has been shown to help individuals stay asleep, but will not generally make people sleepy. Sleep specific CBD products often contain other ingredients like melatonin, chamomile, or the cannabinoid CBN to assist with falling asleep.

Nearly 30% of all Americans suffer from some type of sleep disruption. Whether you have full-blown insomnia or simply struggle getting to sleep sometimes, you may have considered a range of options to treat your sleep issues. Unfortunately, many common treatments for sleep problems can have a sedative effect, leaving you groggy and drowsy the next day. We often get the question – is CBD one of those? Can CBD make you tired?

CBD is associated with getting a better night of sleep. Its sleep-promoting effects are likely due to its ability to relieve underlying conditions that cause sleep disruptions, like chronic pain and anxiety. CBD has very few side effects, and because it isn’t a sedative, it won’t make you tired during the day. In fact, studies have shown that some cannabinoids, like the raw form of CBD – CBDa – may actually make you more alert. With that said, there is no one size fits all.

Whether you are considering CBD to help you sleep better or to help alleviate symptoms of another issue, you don’t have to worry that taking CBD will make you drowsy. While the science on CBD is still emerging, it shows remarkable promise in a number of areas — and shouldn’t make you feel tired. If CBD is making you sleepy, it could be an indicator that you’ve taken more than your body can process and you may want to reduce your daily serving size.

What Is CBD?

Cannabidiol — more commonly referred to as CBD — is one of the primary cannabinoids that is found in the cannabis plant. Cannabinoids are naturally occurring compounds that interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is responsible for helping our bodies maintain stability or balance (known as homeostasis).

Research on CBD and the ECS is still developing. Scientists have speculated that CBD may bind to receptors within the ECS, or that it may boost the presence of endocannabinoids in people who have a deficiency. Whatever the underlying mechanism of action may be, preliminary research has demonstrated that CBD has the potential to boost health and wellness in a number of ways. But is sleep one of them?

Can CBD Help Me Sleep?

CBD is used to help provide a balanced endocannabinoid system (ECS) may be useful in helping to combat insomnia, a sleep disorder that may make it hard to fall asleep, stay asleep, or both. Insomnia has a number of potential causes.

CBD may help with sleep by addressing the root cause of sleeplessness more than the sleep itself. For example, preliminary research suggests that CBD can help with anxiety and sleep issues. A 2019 study of 72 adults with anxiety and/or poor sleep found that the majority of patients experienced relief from both problems within the first month of taking CBD. Importantly, the study’s authors found that CBD has very few side effects, particularly in comparison to psychiatric drugs that are commonly used to address anxiety and sleep issues.

CBD is not a sedative. Instead, it may help people who struggle with sleep by providing relief for the issue that is causing their insomnia. There are a number of CBD products on the market that are specifically targeted for sleep. They will contain ingredients other than CBD to make you sleepy such as melatonin and chamomile. Melatonin is not the best fit for everyone and many people are finding CBN to be an alternative. What is CBN? CBN is one of the more than 100 minor cannabinoids found in the hemp plant. They’re called “minor” because they occur in lower quantities. While CBD does not make you sleepy, but rather may help you stay asleep and wake feeling more well rested, CBN may make you sleepy. So, does CBD make you tired? Not generally, but other cannabinoids may.

Will CBD Make Me Tired During the Day?

Although taking CBD may help you fall asleep and stay asleep, when answering if CBD will make you tired during the day, it won’t cause grogginess during daytime hours. That is because — unlike many prescription and over-the-counter medications — CBD does not produce a sedative effect. Instead, it appears to interact with the ECS to reduce the symptoms of physical and mental health conditions (like anxiety) that are known to interfere with sleep.

More significantly, CBD and CBDa may actually promote wakefulness. According to a 2019 review, CBD may actually help to manage sleepiness. The authors found that CBD may increase alertness and may have therapeutic use for sleep disorders that cause excessive daytime sleepiness.

In 2017, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania found that low doses of CBD can have a stimulating effect, while higher doses can help individuals have a higher quality of sleep. When a person gets “better” sleep, they are less likely to be drowsy during the day.

Importantly, there is a significant difference between THC and CBD when it comes to both sleep and drowsiness. While THC may improve sleep during the short-term, it can have a sedative effect, leading to grogginess and drowsiness during the day.

In contrast, CBD shouldn’t make you tired during the day — and may even make you more alert. By allowing you to get a full night of high-quality sleep, you are less likely to be drowsy during the day when you take CBD. You may also find that you are more wakeful when taking CBD.

Could CBD Make Me Sleepy the Day After Taking It?

Some sleep aids, like melatonin, can leave you feeling groggy the next day. Some even describe it as a melatonin “hangover” making it difficult to concentrate. Luckily, that is not a concern with CBD – a CBD hangover isn’t a thing. CBD in your endocannabinoid system works to balance your body, aiding in that rhythm of being tired and being awake and energetic.

Considering CBD? We’re Here to Help.

If you’re one of the millions of Americans who struggle with sleep, CBD and other cannabinoids like CBN might help you get a good night of sleep by easing symptoms of the condition(s) that are interfering with your rest. Taking CBD won’t make you tired during the day. In low amounts, CBD may actually make you more alert.

Green Wellness Life offers a full range of high quality CBD products, each of which has been independently tested. We aren’t healthcare professionals and cannot diagnose or treat any medical condition, but we can offer you the latest research on the science of CBD. Be sure to consult with your doctor before adding CBD or any supplement to your routine.

If you’re interested in learning more about CBD, our CBD 101 is a great place to start. Rather talk to a real human? We’re happy to answer your questions via telephone, 866-244-4223, or by email at support@greenwellnesslife.com.

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Will CBD Make You Tired?