We all know the health benefits of a full night’s sleep are numerous. Yet, for many of us sleep is still an elusive dream. For a full list of sleep support protocols, jump to Part 2 – Elements of a Good CBD Sleep Protocol.
Stress, diet and lifestyle issues play an integral role in our ability to get a good night’s sleep. Changes to our physiology as we age can impact our sleep patterns as well. Other issues may include a medical illness or the medications themselves.
How many times have we been told reduce our exposure to the blue light of electronics, sleep in a cool dark room or not eat right before bed. Regardless, sometimes we just need a little help getting to sleep. Luckily we can supplement with a number of sleep aids that we normally make right in our own body!
Every mammal, including humans, dogs, cats and even horses manufactures their own cannabinoids, anandamide and 2-AG
Sleep aid supplements can be taken individually or in combination depending on a person’s level of sleeplessness. Popular supplements used to help get a good night’s sleep include:
- CBD
- THC
- CBN
- PharmaGABA
- Melatonin
- Botanicals
CBD
Hemp derived CBD (cannabidiol) comes in a variety of formats and delivery methods. In the simplest terms you can choose between Broad Spectrum (THC-free) and Full Spectrum (0.3% THC) CBD products. The key difference between the two formats is that Broad Spectrum products are THC-free and Full Spectrum products contain the small amount of THC that is legally allowed (0.3% THC by weight).
Which ever you prefer, there are lots of Broad Spectrum (THC-free) and Full Spectrum (0.3% THC) CBD products to choose from.
Protocol: Take between 5-30 mg of either a broad or full spectrum CBD product 30 minutes before bed. CBD products are available in a number of formats such as tinctures, capsules and gummies.
Note: If you are using a nanoemulsified liposome such as the Quicksilver Hemp Extract, try 1-4 pumps 30 minutes before bed.
Combine CBD with other sleep aids such as CBN, THC, GABA, melatonin and other botanicals as needed.
CBN
CBN or cannabinol is another non-intoxicating cannabinoid found in the hemp plant. Although CBN has many of the same therapeutic properties as CBD, it is better known for its sedative properties. CBN may be most effective for inducing sleep in combination with other cannabinoids such as CBD and THC.
Slumber manufactures a full selection of CBN products. CBN can be taken alone as a tincture, capsule or gummy or combined with any of the other sleep aids.
Protocol: Take 5-10 mg CBN 30 minutes before bed with your favorite CBD, delta-8 THC and/or other sleep aid such as melatonin, PharmaGABA or try it on its own. For Slumber combined products, follow the suggested use.
Combine CBN with other sleep aids such as CBD, THC, GABA, melatonin and other botanicals as needed.
CBD/CBN Combinations
There are a number of great products that combine CBD and CBN all in one. Since they are made with full spectrum CBD, they do contain no more than 0.3% THC by weight.
Slumber makes a full spectrum CBD:CBN tincture. Each dropperful in the 1000 mg bottle contains 10 mg CBN and 25 mg CBD + 1 mg THC and twice that in the 2000 mg bottle.
Protocol: Take 1/2 -1 dropperful 30 minutes before bed. May be combined with other sleep aids such as GABA, melatonin and other botanicals as needed.
Quicksilver Scientific CBD Synergies-SP Sleep Formula combines full spectrum CBD with PharmaGABA, a small dosage of melatonin and the sleep inducing botanicals Skullcap and passion flower.
Protocol: Try 1-4 pumps 30 minutes before bed.
Slumber CBN with CBD + THC gummies contain a bit more THC than tinctures or capsules since THC is regulated by weight and not volume under the US Farm Bill. Hemp-derived products can not contain more than 0.3% delta-9 THC by weight. Like its cannabis cousin, delta-9 THC can also be used to help with sleep.
Protocol: Take 1/2 -1 gummy 30 minutes before bed. May be combined with other sleep aids such as GABA, melatonin and other botanicals as needed.
Hemp Mellow Dreams capsules are a great choice if you prefer a capsule.
The Hemp Mellow Dreams capsules contain 5 mg CBN and 25 mg CBD + 1.65 mg THC per capsule.
Protocol: Take 1-2 capsules 30 minutes before bedtime. May be combined with other sleep aids such as GABA, melatonin and other botanicals as needed.
Overcome Every Night capsules are another great choice if you prefer a capsule with a little less CBD and THC than Hemp Mellow Dreams.
The Overcome Every night contain a total of 16.5 mg of cannabinoids: 0.1 mg CBN and 12.8 mg CBD + 0.6 mg THC per capsule.
Protocol: Take 1-2 capsules 30 minutes before bedtime. May be combined with other sleep aids such as GABA, melatonin and other botanicals as needed.
GABA
Gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an amino acid produced naturally in the brain. It is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, helping to facilitate sleep, reduce mental and physical stress, lowers anxiety, and create a calmness of mood.
We can reestablish our own levels of GABA with a naturally produced version in supplement form called PharmaGABA. It is made naturally using a fermentation process. PharmaGABA is great to pair with other natural sleep aids to ease your body into deep sleep.
Quicksilver Scientific Lipocalm contains PharmaGABA as well as the sleep inducing botanicals Skullcap, Passion Flower and Blue Chamomile Flower.
Protocol: Try 1-4 pumps of Lipocalm 30 minutes before bed. Repeat as needed. Maybe taken alone or combined with other sleep aids such as CBD or THC delta-8 and/or melatonin.
Combine PharmaGABA in products such as Lipocalm with other sleep aids such as CBD, CBN, THC, melatonin and botanicals as needed.
Melatonin
Melatonin is often referred to as the body’s sleep hormone. It’s produced in the brain as night falls increases with evening darkness, promoting healthy sleep and helping to synchronize our sleep-wake cycle.
Quicksilver Scientific’s nanoemulsified formula provides enhanced uptake of their Melatonin, allowing you to use less than a traditional product. Combine melatonin with other sleep aids such as CBD, CBN, THC, GABA and botanicals as needed.
Slumber CBN/Melatonin Gummies combine their THC free formula of 13 mg of CBN and 2 mg of melatonin.
Protocol: Take 1 gummy 30 minutes before bed.
Combine CBN melatonin gummies with other sleep aids such as CBD, THC, GABA and botanicals as needed.
Botanicals
There are many herbal remedies to help with sleepless. These include botanicals like passionflower, skullcap, chamomile, valerian and lemon balm just to name a few. Such botanicals are usually taken in some combination sometimes brewed as a tea or taken as a supplement.
Quicksilver Scientific Lipocalm contains PharmaGABA as well as the sleep inducing botanicals Skullcap, Passion Flower and Blue Chamomile Flower.
Protocol: Try 1-4 pumps of Lipocalm 30 minutes before bed. Repeat as needed.
There are a great number of commercially available herbal teas that help promote a restful night’s sleep. Our favorite is the a loose leaf bedtime tea created with the help of the herbalists at Rebecca’s Apothecary.
Protocol: Sip and enjoy a cup 30 minutes before bed.
Design your own sleep support protocol
or try one of our curated Sleep Support Bundles.
Not sure where to start, take our CBD quiz to help us select the best products for you.
And, of course, contact our sleep support specialist if you have any questions!
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