Sleep and Anxiety

Steps to get a good night’s sleep

Research has proved sleep is essential, but that doesn’t mean it always easy to get to sleep, stay asleep, or wake rested each morning.

If you are struggling with sleep, start by trying the gentle sleep remedies handpicked by Manly’s pharmacy team which can support your efforts to drop off easily and wake refreshed.

If your problems with sleeplessness are hard to shake, an online doctor consultation can by the next step, giving you the opportunity to review your health and wellbeing in confidence with a medical professional to establish whether or not there are other factors that are causing stress to your mind and body.

Are sleep issues and anxiety related?

Issues with sleep and anxiety often go hand in hand.

Worries and fears can make it hard for you to rest properly at night. Meanwhile the stress and physical strain that come from lack of sleep can fuel feelings of worry and distress.

Anxiety is more than having sweaty palms and butterflies in your stomach. Symptoms of anxiety can include feelings of worry, fear and impending doom, and those feelings can disrupt your life in unwanted and powerful ways. It’s important to address those symptoms through practical treatments, and conversations with a health practitioner who can provide the support you need to relieve your anxiety and ease any distress you may be experiencing.  

Can CBD oil help sleep and anxiety?

If you suffer from anxiety, or have trouble with sleep, you might be considering CBD Oil.

CBD is commonly used to address anxiety, and to help patients who suffer through the misery of insomnia. CBD is becoming an increasingly popular treatment for insomnia because it promotes refreshing REM sleep and reduces excessive daytime sleepiness.

CBD oil does not cause a ‘high’, and it is not addictive. PureIs CBD Oil – The CBD oil chosen by Manly’s pharmacy team – is ultra pure, and contains 0% THC. It is particularly helpful for people whose sleep problems stem from anxiety.

One of the other major factors associated with insomnia is stress. Research has shown that CBD oil can improve your stress response, which can in turn help you to relax.

CBD has been proven to be particularly helpful for sleep disorders in people with neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease.

And a recent review of 72 adults with anxiety or poor sleep found that anxiety scores decreased within the first month of using CBD oil in 79.2% of the participants and remained decreased during the study duration. Sleep scores also improved within the first month for 66.7% of the study cohort and it was well tolerated.

What is CBD oil?

Cannabidiol (CBD) oil has received lots of media coverage, and you may even have seen it recommended as an add-in booster to your post-workout smoothie or morning coffee.

CBD stands for cannabidiol. It is the second most prevalent of the active ingredients of cannabis (marijuana). While CBD is an essential component of medical marijuana, it is derived directly from the hemp plant, which is a cousin of the marijuana plant. It does not cause a “high.”

According to a report from the World Health Organization, “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential…. To date, there is no evidence of public health related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.”

A significant safety concern with CBD is that it is primarily marketed and sold as a supplement, not as a medication. You should always buy CBD oil from a reputable healthcare professional source.

Studies suggest that CBD may help with both falling asleep and staying asleep.

Preliminary studies have suggested CBD oil may be an effective natural remedy for insomnia sufferers, thanks to the way it interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system.

How to take CBD oil safely

CBD oil is available in a number of forms. It is most readily available as a tincture, which can be taken by applying a few drops under your tongue.

When it comes to CBD dosage, always start small – around 10 to 20mg. Its effects should be immediate, so you will be able to tell if the lower dosage is working for you.

Side effects of CBD include nausea, fatigue, and irritability. CBD can increase the level in your blood of the blood thinner coumadin, and it can raise levels of certain other medications in your blood by the exact same mechanism that grapefruit juice does.

It is important to chat to one of our pharmacists about your current medications before starting to use CBD oil.