Best CBD Oil for Sleep and Insomnia
The path to better rest may begin with just a few drops of CBD
Sponsored By The CBD Break November 30, 2022
Sleep issues like insomnia can be debilitating. Sadly, if they’re left untreated they can lead to larger health issues that can be harder to get a proper handle on. Long-term sleep deprivation can affect daily functioning such as hand-eye coordination, short-term memory, reaction times, the ability to learn, alertness, and even mood.
Because of the many dangers and issues associated with prescription sleeping pills, many people are now looking towards natural methods to help them get a handle on their sleep and insomnia.
An astounding 50 to 70 million Americans of all ages suffer from some sort of sleep-related issue, according to the American Sleep Apnea Association. Interestingly, in lieu of prescription medication for sleep, many consumers are exploring CBD, or cannabidiol, as a natural way to help evoke better sleep and possibly alleviate or eliminate insomnia altogether. In fact, the number of CBD retailers has skyrocketed in response to the demand. So while it may be exciting to have so many different brands and products to choose from, not all of them are created equal. Our guide to the best CBD oil for sleep and insomnia will guide you towards the most trusted and respected brands in the industry while educating you on how CBD can help improve your ability to get a restful and restorative sleep at night.
Our Top 10 Brands of CBD Oil for Sleep
We spent an exorbitant amount of hours combing through brands and products so that we could compile a list of some of the best brands in the industry. After measuring each brand up against our strict list of criteria, the following brands remained:
1. Fab CBD — Most Potent Oil 2. NuLeaf Naturals — Solid Potency Variety 3. Batch CBD — Science-Based Formulations 4. CBDistillery — Pure Formulations 5. PlusCBD — Best Full-Spectrum Oils 6. MedTerra — Natural Product Line 7. Green Roads — Pharmacist Formulated Products 8. Joy Organics — Best Organic Options 9. Premium Jane — Strong Variety 10. Lazarus Naturals — Effective Product Line
How We Chose the Brands of CBD Oil for Sleep
We put a lot of time and thought into making this list as complete as possible. Therefore, in order to give readers a thorough rundown, we first began by compiling a long list of CBD oil brands that are popular today. As mentioned before, because of the recent rise in CBD’s popularity, our list became quite lengthy in a short period of time. Next, we individually researched each brand by closely reading through customer reviews of CBD oil products, how each company sourced and created its extracts, whether the company used a third-party lab to test its products, and more. After collecting our long list of brands, we then began to remove names from the list until we were left with a handful of reputable brands that met our strict criteria.
More specifically, some of the criterial we focused in on with each brand included:
• Product quality • Independent lab testing • Verified customer reviews • Product potency • Product pricing
These top 10 brands rose to the top as some of the most reputable names in the CBD industry that made some of the most pure and potent products on today’s market for sleep and insomnia issues.
10 Best CBD Oils For Sleep and Insomnia in 2022
If you’re new to the world of CBD, then these top 10 brands are a great place to begin your search for CBD oil for sleep and insomnia. In order to avoid overwhelm and frustration in your search, you should take as much time as you need to thoroughly look into both the brands and their products.
#1 FAB CBD Oil - Most Potent Oil
FAB CBD, founded in 2017, has a mission to create reliable, quality CBD products for all to enjoy. The brand’s founder and team have many years of experience in the health, nutrition, and fitness niches. All of FAB CBD's products are created according to the brand’s highest standards. FAB CBD’s line of oils come in an array strengths and flavors. The brand also sells a topical cream, “Anytime” and “Nighttime” CBD gummies, CBD dog treats, Full Spectrum Body Salve, CBD+CBG Oil, and Complete Cannabinoid Softgels.
All of FAB CBD’s products are made from organic hemp that is grown and cultivated in Colorado. The brand crafts its top-of-the-line extracts by using a highly-preferred, solvent-free CO2 extraction process. This CO2 extraction process results in super-clean extracts that are rich in terpenes and beneficial cannabinoids that enable consumers to partake in all of the great health benefits that hemp has to offer.
• Source of Hemp — Organic hemp from Colorado. • About The CBD Oil — FAB CBD’s full-spectrum CBD oils come in refreshing and vibrant flavors like mint, berry, vanilla, citrus, and natural, and in potencies of 300mg, 600mg, 1200mg, and 2400mg. • Extraction Method — Industry preferred CO2 extraction method. • Lab Testing — All products tested by a third-party lab for potency and purity.
#2 NuLeaf Naturals — Solid Potency Variety
NuLeaf Naturals was founded by a group of plant-based medicine lovers in 2014. The brand makes potent, full-spectrum products that are clean and organic. According to the NuLeaf Naturals website, the brand uses hemp that’s been specially bred to be naturally therapeutic to make all of its products. All of the brand’s hemp is grown and harvested in Colorado, and NuLeaf Naturals is involved in the creation process of its products from seed to sale.
• Source of Hemp — Organic hemp from licensed Colorado farms. • About The CBD Oil — The brand makes unflavored, full-spectrum CBD oils in 300mg, 900mg, 1800mg, 3000mg, and 6000mg strengths. • Extraction Method — CO2 extraction method. • Lab Testing — A third-party lab is used to test all products for purity and potency.
#3 Batch CBD — Science-Based Formulations
Batch CBD proudly calls Wisconsin home. The founders of the brand have combined degrees in business and chemical engineering, and as such, use science-based formulations, botanical ingredients, and organic hemp extracts to make potent and pure products. Everyone who works at Batch CBD has a strong belief in transparency. Because of this, customers can call ahead to the Batch CBD facilities to book a tour of the brand’s facilities. Lastly, unlike most other brands, Batch CBD chooses to go with a small ingredient list for its products so that it can spend more time focusing on ingenuity and science in its formulations.
• Source of Hemp — Organic hemp from farms that are part of the Wisconsin Hemp Pilot Program. • About The CBD Oil — Batch CBD makes full-spectrum CBD oil in blends that include Dream CBD Oil Tincture, Calm CBD Oil Tincture, Gold Reserve Blend, Original CBD Oil Tincture, and Clarity CBD Oil Tincture. The Dream CBD Oil, Clarity CBD Oil, and Calm CBD Oil tinctures come in strengths of 1000mg and 3000mg, the Gold Reserve comes in 4000mg strength, and the brand’s Original CBD Oil Tincture comes in 500mg, 1000mg, 2000mg, and 3000mg potencies. • Extraction Method — Custom ethanol extraction process. • Lab Testing — All products are tested by an accredited independent third-party lab.
#4 CBDistillery — Pure Formulations
CBDistillery began in 2016 to bring high-quality, fairly-priced, clean, potent CBD products to consumers. The team spends most of their time focusing on accountability, hard work, respect, teamwork, a positive attitude, and succeeding at making top-shelf products. A group of Colorado natives founded the brand to bring pure, potent, top-quality CBD products into a market that was already saturated with less reputable brands that made sub-par products. In essence, the brand wanted to give consumers high-quality products that were as clean as they were effective.
• Source of Hemp — Non-GMO hemp from Colorado. • About The CBD Oil — CBDistillery offers full-spectrum, broad spectrum, and CBD isolate oils in strengths of 500mg, 1000mg, 2500mg, and 5000mg in natural or mango flavors. • Extraction Method — Organic ethanol and CO2 extraction methods. • Lab Testing — Each product is lab tested for potency and quality.
#5 PlusCBD Oil — Best Full-Spectrum Oils
PlusCBD Oil was founded by CV Sciences in 2012. The company’s mission is to deliver pure, consistent, traceable cannabinoids to all of North America. PlusCBD works to build awareness and acceptance about hemp and its benefits. The brand is also involved in the product creation process from seed to sale, and believes that CBD can improve the general health and wellbeing of customers throughout the world.
• Source of Hemp — The brand’s hemp is grown from EU-certified seeds. The hemp is also grown using organic practices and therefore, does not contain any herbicides, pesticides, or chemicals. • About The CBD Oil —PlusCBD crafts a line of CBD sprays that come in 100mg and 500mg strengths. There also is 500mg unflavored maximum strength PlusCBD Drops, 250mg PlusCBD Drops, and 500mg PlusCBD Drops. • Extraction Method — Industry preferred CO2 extraction process. • Lab Testing — An independent third-party lab tests every PlusCBD product for purity and potency.
#6 MedTerra — Natural Product Line
Everyone at MedTerra believes that CBD products should be accessible to all consumers regardless of their financial standing.Just like our other top brands, MedTerra is also involved in the creation process of its products from seed to sale. To that end, the brand has specialists in vegetable genetics, quality control, food-grade compound extraction, and best hemp farming practices on staff.
• Source of Hemp — Non-GMO Kentucky hemp. • About The CBD Oil — MedTerra makes full-spectrum CBD oil Hemp Drops in strengths of 750mg, 1500mg, 3000mg and 6000mg in flavors of Citrus and Chocolate Mint. • Extraction Method — Industry preferred CO2 extraction process. • Lab Testing — Each product is tested by an independent lab for potency and purity.
Green Roads — Pharmacist Formulated Products
Laura Fuentes, a compounding pharmacist, founded Green Roads in 2013. Fuentes began her journey into the CBD industry after she started formulating products to help a dear friend who was struggling with difficult health issues. Together, Fuentes and her friend created a line of clean and effective products that consumers use to help improve their overall health and wellbeing. Green Roads has three pharmacists on staff who oversee manufacturing and product creation. The brand carries full-spectrum, broad spectrum, and CBD isolate products.
• Source of Hemp — Hemp from throughout the United States. • About The CBD Oil — The brand makes Apple Kiwi Bliss Broad Spectrum CBD Oil in 1500mg, 750mg, and 300mg, Full-Spectrum CBD Oil in 1500mg, 750mg, and 300mg, Broad Spectrum CBD Oil in 1500mg, 750mg, and 300mg, Mint Breeze Broad Spectrum Oil in 1500mg, 750mg, and 300mg, and Sweet Sleep CBD Oil in 750mg. • Extraction Method — The industry preferred CO2 extraction process. • Lab Testing — Each product is tested by a third-party lab.
#8 Joy Organics — Best Organic Options
In 2018, Joy Smith founded Joy Organics after struggling with her own tough health issues. She tried products from other brands with little success before she decided to strike out on her own. Today, Joy Organics’ mission is to make clean, effective, organic products that customers return to again and again. The brand makes a strong line of pure, potent products that continue to be popular among many consumers.
• Source of Hemp — The brand partners with licensed growers and manufacturers from Montana, Oregon, and Colorado. • About The CBD Oil — Joy Organics’ full-spectrum and broad spectrum oils come in Fresh Lime, Tranquil Mint, Orange Bliss, Summer Lemon, and unflavored options and in strengths of 450mg, 900mg, 1350mg, and 2250mg. • Extraction Method — Food-grade ethanol extraction. • Lab Testing — A third-party lab tests all of the brand’s products.
#9 Premium Jane — Strong Variety
Premium Jane educates its consumers about the hemp plant and CBD through the creation of its high-quality, potent products. Every product is crafted using organic hemp that’s cultivated in Kentucky. The brand next uses the CO2 extraction method to obtain all of its clean and effective extracts. Lastly, each product is tested by a third-party lab for potency and purity. Premium Jane makes intriguing products that are both clean and potent that consumers enjoy using each and every day.
• Source of Hemp — Regulated Kentucky hemp. • About The CBD Oil — The brand makes its full-spectrum CBD tinctures in 1000mg, 600mg, and 300mg Citrus flavor, Mint flavor, Natural flavor, and Mint Chocolate flavor. Premium Jane also makes 3000mg and 1000mg tinctures in Lemon Lime and Peach Nectar flavors. • Extraction Method — The CO2 extraction method. • Lab Testing — All products tested by a third-party lab.
#10 Lazarus Naturals — Effective Product Line
Lazarus Naturals creates effective, high-quality, thoughtful CBD products that are affordable and competitively priced. The brand was founded on the strong belief that CBD has the ability to improve the overall quality of people’s lives. The people who founded Lazarus Naturals feel that CBD should be affordable to everyone. Finally, every batch of products is tested for heavy metals, herbicides, pesticides, solvents, and other chemicals, and potency levels are also confirmed.
• Source of Hemp — Organic hemp from Central Oregon. • About The CBD Oil — Lazarus Naturals makes oils in flavors of Classic, Yuzu, French Vanilla Mocha, and Chocolate Mint in strengths of 600mg, 1200mg, and 2400mg. (Yuzu is an East Asian citrus fruit.) The brand also makes CBD isolate oils in concentrations of 750mg, 1500mg, and 3000mg in Blood orange, Unflavored, Mango Pineapple, Yuzu, and Wintermint flavors. • Extraction Method — Ethanol extraction process. • Lab Testing — All products tested by a third-party lab.
Research About CBD and Sleep
There are many factors that come into play when it comes to sleep disturbances and insomnia. The Mayo Clinic has reported that some causes of insomnia are:
• Anxiety, depression, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) • Medications that disrupt the sleep-wake cycle • Environmental factors • Caffeine if used late in the day • Medical conditions such as restless leg syndrome, chronic pain, or other pain-related diseases
New studies show that CBD can help with sleep and insomnia by causing users to feel sleepy and relaxed within a short time of taking it. Likewise, further research is showing that CBD helps to alleviate anxiety that could also contribute to sleep disturbances and insomnia.
Conversely, a study conducted in 2014 found that CBD also helps to promote wakefulness. This is great news to individuals who must deal with the grogginess that is left in the wake of insomnia.
CBD can help with sleep and insomnia in a great number of ways. Some of which include:
1. Anxiety reduction - CBD can help regulate the stress hormone, cortisol, according to studies. 2. Pain reduction - For individuals who suffer sleepless nights at the hands of chronic pain, studies show that CBD helps alleviate pain by working to heal symptoms rather than just masking them. 3. Nightmare relief - Scientists discovered that CBD can help individuals with REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD), which causes nightmares and restlessness, by reducing these occurrences without any marked side-effects. 4. Muscle relaxation - Patients with Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases who deal with muscle tension and tremors are at high risk for suffering through sleepless nights. Luckily, a 2018 study shows that CBD is emerging as a promising remedy for this. 5. PTSD relief - PTSD can cause sleep disturbances and REM cycle issues, but new research is showing that CBD can help to alleviate anxiety that adds to REM cycle issues.
How Does CBD Oil Help with Sleep and Insomnia?
CBD can indirectly help with sleep and insomnia by lowering anxiety, which can then lead to better sleep overall. In essence, when other health issues are lowered or eliminated, the body is then able to obtain a more restful and restorative sleep at night. Likewise, the CBD positively interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which functions to bring the body back into and keep it in a state of balance, or homeostasis. When the body is out of balance, conditions like anxiety, depression, and insomnia can occur.
CBD and the Endocannabinoid System
Scientists found that CBD oil can be effective in helping to boost and regulate the body’s endocannabinoid system. When you take CBD oil, the cannabinoids and terpenes interact with the body’s own endocannabinoid receptors to help bring the body back into a state of balance. Cannabinoids in CBD bind to the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain to help regulate pain, sleep, reproduction, and a host of other bodily functions and processes. While the cannabinoids bind to these receptors, they also help to increase serotonin levels, which work to boost your overall mood. As it was mentioned earlier, when anxiety and depression are eased, then the body can achieve a more restorative and restful sleep at night.
The endocannabinoid system works to regulate bodily functions and systems like:
• Sleep • Anxiety • Depression • Pain • Mood • Appetite • Memory • Reproduction • Fertility • Metabolism • Chronic pain • Inflammation • Learning • Stress
The CB1 and CB2 receptors are the two main endocannabinoid receptors. The CB1 receptors are located in the central nervous system, while the CB2 receptors are found in the peripheral nervous system. After the endocannabinoids and cannabinoids have completed their jobs, specialized enzymes break the endocannabinoids down. This ultimately stops the endocannabinoids from going beyond what they need to do so that they won’t cause other unwanted issues to occur.
How to Use CBD Oil for Sleep?
CBD oil for sleep should be used gradually. You should start at a low dose and then slowly increase over time. For example, you may want to start by taking a half a dropper-full of CBD oil once a day for about one week. After the week has passed, check in with yourself to see how you are feeling. It can also help to keep a journal around this time so that you can properly track what’s improving and what isn’t. If you feel that you need to increase your dose, move up to a half a dropper-full of CBD oil twice a day. Stick with the new dose for another week before checking in with yourself again. Repeat this process until you’ve found that sweet spot that works best for you.
Remember that because everyone’s body is different, a dose that works great for you may not work that well for someone else. Therefore, there’s no one-size-fits-all dose of CBD oil that is perfect for everyone. Moreover, you may have to change your dose or oil potency over time. If that happens, you should follow the same pattern that you did to find your initial dose. Finally, when it comes to CBD oil, patience and consistency are key. It takes patience for the CBD to build up in your system, so when you consistently take your CBD oil each day, you’re giving your body the best chance to take advantage of all the benefits it has to offer.
CBD Oil vs CBD Gummies: Which is Better for Sleep?
The answer to this question purely comes down to preference. While some people like how fast CBD oil works for sleep, others enjoy taking a couple of CBD gummies an hour or two before bed. Keep in mind that because CBD oil is dropped sublingually and held there for around 60-seconds, it can quickly get into the bloodstream via the thin membranes under the tongue and in the mouth. Therefore, you’ll be able to feel its effects within 15-30 minutes. CBD gummies, however, are a different story.
It can take up to two hours before you’ll feel the effects of a CBD gummy, so you should plan on taking them an hour or two before bedtime. Unlike CBD oil, gummies must first pass through the digestive tract before the CBD can enter into the bloodstream. So it may take a little bit before you’ll feel relaxed and ready for bed. The choice between CBD oil vs CBD gummies is purely up to you and how fast you’ll want to fall asleep at night.
CBD Oil Dosage for Sleep and Insomnia
As with any natural supplement, proper dosing with CBD is also very important. Firstly, you should remember that everyone’s body is different. Therefore, there is no perfect dose for one single person. So, what might work best for you, might not work best for someone else. Higher is not always better. Typically, mid-range doses of CBD will give you more benefits than low or high doses.
People who are new to CBD should start by taking a single daily 5mg dose for about one week before reassessing and potentially increasing their dose. When a dose needs to be increased, do so gradually. Low and slow is the best way to go with CBD. Every time you increase your dose, stick to the new dose for at least one week before increasing again as your body needs adequate time to adjust to the new dosage.
Other Potential Benefits of CBD Oil
What some who are new to CBD may not know is that CBD, or cannabidiol, is only one of over 100 other different cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Additionally, there’s a wealth of positive studies that document how CBD products can help alleviate and potentially eliminate different health issues. Regular CBD use has been linked to many documented health benefits. In fact, scientists have found:
• CBD oil may help to lower the muscle spasms that are caused from diseases like multiple sclerosis, thus lowering instances of pain in the long-run. • CBD oil can help you decrease and properly manage pain that may be causing acute or chronic issues in your body, and countless scientific studies have proven this. • When CBD oil is taken regularly, panic attacks and anxiety occurrences may happen less often, especially as the CBD levels have built up and are maintained in your body. • CBD oil may help decrease instances of high blood pressure in people with hypertension, which may ultimately decrease the anxiety that potentially causes high blood pressure in some people. • CBD can help lower instances of diabetes by decreasing inflammation and oxidative stress, which ultimately causes insulin resistance.
Even though there are a great deal of additional studies that we can document here, scientists are still studying CBD, its effects, and its benefits. Finally, if you’ve been thinking about incorporating CBD into your daily routine but have questions or concerns, then don’t hesitate to reach out to your primary care doctor or medical specialist for further guidance.
Are There any Risks or Side Effects?
Thankfully, the side effects associated with CBD use are mild and few. In fact, there are more risks to using prescription and/or over-the-counter sleep medications than using CBD. Some of the most commonly reported side effects include:
• Sleepiness • Dry Mouth • Nausea • Changes in Appetite • Changes in Weight
If, however, you’re taking a prescription medication that contains a grapefruit warning, then you may want to consult with your primary care doctor or prescribing physician before taking CBD. Just like eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice with these types of drugs, CBD can also interfere with the way the body metabolizes these types of medications. Caution should be used, and your doctor should be consulted before beginning any type of CBD product regimen on your own.
How to Choose the Best CBD Oil for Sleep
Due to the recent rise in popularity of CBD oil, the market is now flooded with new CBD brands. It’s important to remember, though, that all CBD brands are not created equal.
If you have plans on making CBD a regular part of your health routine, you should know:
• The brand reputation • The hemp source • The extraction method • If the brand uses a third-party lab to routinely test its products • How caring and knowledgeable the customer service department of the brand is • What the product variety and flavor options are
While these are great jumping off points, feel free to add in any of your own points that you may want to also look into. Take as much time as you need to thoroughly research brands and products so that you can be sure you’re getting a highly potent and clean product for your money.
CBD and Sleep FAQs
Below are some of the most commonly asked questions among new CBD users. If you don’t see an answer to your question below, then feel free to do some research on your own until your question is satisfactorily answered.
What is CBD?
CBD is what’s made when the cannabinoids, terpenes, and phytonutrients are extracted from the cannabis plant and then mixed with a carrier oil and/or natural flavorings.
Is CBD Legal?
Purchasing CBD is legal across the United States providing the products have been created from hemp that has less than 0.3% of THC. Any CBD products that contain more than 0.3% THC are illegal unless purchased in states that have medicinal and/or recreational marijuana laws in effect.
Is CBD Addictive?
The great news is that, unlike some prescription medication, CBD is both safe and non-addictive.
Can CBD Make You Feel “High?”
Since hemp-based CBD products only contain 0.3% or less THC, there’s no way that anyone can get “high” from taking them. This, however, is not the case with marijuana-based products that contain high amounts of THC.
Is CBD Really Helpful with Sleep and Insomnia?
If taken consistently and religiously, CBD can be helpful for sleep and insomnia issues. The key is to find the best strength and dosage that’s most effective for your body and your needs.
How Long Does it Take for CBD Oil for Sleep to Work?
Because everyone’s body is unique, it may take some people a little longer to feel CBD oil work for sleep. Overall, it can take anywhere between 15-30 minutes before you’ll feel the initial effects of your CBD oil. Patience and consistency are key when taking any type of CBD product.
How to Use CBD Products for Sleep?
Each type of CBD product is used differently. For example, CBD topicals are massaged into an area of discomfort, while oil is dropped under the tongue and held there for 60-seconds. Also, CBD gummies can be savored in your mouth before chewing and swallowing them. The key is to use your preferred product each day around the same time(s) so that you’ll be able to get the most benefits out of it.
Final Thoughts On Buying CBD Oil for Sleep
The good news is that there is solid research supporting CBD’s effectiveness for issues with sleep and insomnia. Today, many consumers who suffer from sleep disturbances, sleep-related conditions, and insomnia are recognizing the dangers associated with prescription sleeping pills. Because of this, many of them are now looking to natural, safe alternatives like CBD to help them get back some much needed rest and relaxation.
Religious CBD users cite the oil’s lack of intoxicating effects, low potential side-effects, and ability to not cause internal harm as some of the main reasons why they swear by this non-addictive alternative. If you’ve been curious about using CBD oil for sleep and insomnia, then it’s a good idea to begin checking out some of the brands and products mentioned in this article. Finally, as with any new medication or natural supplement, it’s best to first consult with your doctor or specialist before beginning a new health regimen. Your doctor can help to answer any questions you may have as well as guide you toward the overall CBD strength and dosage that will work best for your needs.