Does CBD Make You Tired?
With the increasing popularity of CBD, or cannabidiol, you can now find a plethora of CBD products online. CBD is fast becoming the go-to supplement for general health and wellness*.
However, some beginners to CBD products might wonder if CBD will make you tired. The short answer is no; CBD should not cause drowsiness or fatigue in normal dosages. However, some users report CBD to be an effective sleep aid*. In this blog post, we’ll look more closely at the effects of CBD on your body and whether it can cause tiredness or fatigue.
How CBD Works
CBD works by interacting with our endocannabinoid system (ECS), a complex network of receptors, endocannabinoids, and enzymes crucial for keeping our bodies balanced.
The ECS is responsible for a few bodily functions like pain regulation, mood and stress levels, sleeping, appetite, and the immune system. Learn more about the endocannabinoid system.
There are two particular receptors that CBD interacts with – CB1 and CB2. The CB1 receptors are found mainly in the central nervous system, and the CB2 receptors are located in the tissues.
Unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD doesn’t bind to the receptors, so it doesn’t have psychoactive effects. Still, it affects them in other ways, like inhibiting enzymes that will increase levels of anandamide in the body.
CBD can also modulate the CB1 receptors and reduce its activity. This leads to a potentially calming effect and may induce relaxation*.
CBD also interacts with other receptors in the body, such as the serotonin receptor 5-HT1A.
How Does CBD Affect Sleep?
In a study of 72 adults who claimed to have anxiety or poor sleep, 66.7% of participants saw improved sleep scores within 30 days of CBD treatment, although this fluctuated over time*.[1]
CBD works by increasing the levels of anandamide in your body, helping you feel generally better and potentially improving sleep quality, yet it typically doesn’t have a sedative effect.
However, although promising, much of the research is still inconclusive on the effects of CBD and sleep quality, as many individuals reported different results.
Will CBD Make You Tired?
Regular users of CBD generally don’t experience drowsiness, although it is possible. CBD brings the body into balance in homeostasis, which can help you sleep better*.
In short, CBD in regular doses should not make you tired. Although one study[1] indicates that significant use of CBD (300 – 600mg) can cause a drop in cortisol levels, which may cause CBD to cause drowsiness, this is far beyond a normal dose.
It also depends on your sensitivity to cannabinoids. Some individuals tolerate high doses of CBD, but others might feel drowsiness or sleepiness.
Different CBD products also work at different intensity levels. Edibles tend to take longer to take effect, while sublingual ingestion of CBD oils or tinctures has a quicker onset time but doesn’t last as long.
Full-spectrum CBD products contain a range of compounds found in the cannabis plant, including other cannabinoids and trace amounts of THC. These compounds can work together synergistically, potentially enhancing the calming effects of CBD.
However, full-spectrum products may also have a slightly higher chance of causing drowsiness due to the entourage effect, which is how different compounds work together for better results.
In contrast, CBD isolate products contain pure CBD and no other cannabinoids or compounds, so it is less likely to make you tired because of the lack of the entourage effect.
If you are thinking of incorporating CBD into your healthcare regimen, you might want to check with a medical professional, especially if you have existing health conditions or are currently on any other medication.
Final Thoughts
Whether CBD makes you tired depends on several factors, like the CBD product itself, your body’s reaction to it, and whether you have any side effects.
While low doses of CBD have not been known to cause drowsiness or tiredness, it is still possible. As studies of CBD usage are constantly being done, more research is needed to come to a conclusion about regular CBD use and its effect on sleep patterns.
As always, check with your healthcare professional before incorporating CBD into your daily routine, and start with a lower dose first and then gradually increase it as your body adapts.
*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). NuLeaf products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
References
[1] Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series
Shannon et al.