CBD vs. Melatonin

We all know that CBD and Melatonin are both commonly used for sleep aid.

Recent studies show the use of melatonin is on the rise, despite potential health harms.

By 2018 Americans were taking more than TWICE the amount of melatonin they took a decade earlier. Experts are concerned that the pandemic’s negative impact on sleep may have further increased the widespread reliance on sleeping aids in many adults.

It is extremely important to get quality sleep to allow your body to heal properly.

Is lack of sleep increasing your pain?

Specifically right before you dream, is your body’s period of maximum healing ability.

This means that if you aren’t dreaming, then you aren’t healing!

For most people, this does not seem to be that big of a deal – but for those living with chronic pain, this is a HUGE deal.

Chronic pain seems to be driven by inflammation.

Your quality of sleep can influence all of this!

Think about this… when you have a bruise, you have to take time to let the bruise heal. If you continue to irritate the area with the bruise, it will continue to be painful. Unless you remove the irritation, the sensitivity of the area continues to get worse..

This is EXACTLY what happens when we sleep. If we aren’t getting good quality of sleep, then we are not healing and the inflammation remains.

This leads us back to the importance of sleep and the CBD vs. Melatonin for sleep aid debate. Let’s compare!

CBD oils:

Have been shown to decrease levels of cortisol during sleep to help with additional stressors. This in turn will help decrease pain and inflammation.
They have also been shown to help regulate the parasympathetic nervous system. This is our rest and digest system which helps us sleep.
The have also been shown to decrease anxiety, which in turn will help us sleep.

According to studies:

About 160 mg helps improve sleep duration
About 360-600 mgs help decrease cortisol levels

Melatonin:

Helps regulate your circadian rhythm. This is your body’s internal clock that tells you it is time to go to bed. This is regulated by darkness. Therefore, at night our body is told to produce melatonin to help us sleep.
The goal of melatonin is to tell our body WHEN to sleep. Research shows that people taking melatonin in night shift workers did help them sleep 24 minutes longer, but it did not change the time that they fell asleep.

Conclusion:

Some research studies have come out and they show that melatonin may have some side effects with other medications and therefore need to be cleared with your physician before using for a sleep aid. The National Institutes for Health said using melatonin occasionally is fine but high levels have been linked to dementia, early mortality and other health issues.

Research also shows that there is a tolerance build up of melatonin, which is causing people to take twice as much to get the same effect as they did just 10 years ago. Melatonin can be purchased over the counter, but it’s important to note that it is NOT fully regulated by the FDA. Many think of melatonin as a vitamin, but it is a hormone made by the pineal gland and we don’t know the implications of melatonin in the longer term, for adults or kids.

We conclude that sleep is very important especially in people that have chronic pain to decrease their pain and to help them live an active lifestyle.

The research shows that CBD is a safer and more effective method to help improve quality and duration of sleep over that of melatonin.

Have you ever taken melatonin before bed and felt overly groggy and tired when your alarm went off the next morning?

Taking CBD before bed does not give you that “next-day hangover feeling” but WILL help you get a good night’s sleep.

How we can help!

Are you ready to be well-rested and pain-free?

If this is a concern of yours, then we want to provide a SOLUTION!

Did you know we sell Mother Holistic high-quality CBD products in our clinics?

All Mother Holistic products are made in a facility that’s approved by the FDA for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). These products are produced from hemp that is grown in the USA, not overseas and are 100% natural.

Here is a quick product overview:

CBD oils, like the ‘Whole Plant’ oil shown above, are great for a FAST and effective way to treat the whole body.

CBD Gummies are an EASY and tasty way to get your CBD in. They are also perfect for travel – throw them in your purse or gym bag!

Topical body relief, like the topical gel or salve, are great as a massage oil or for the every day “wear and tear” of the body. Topical CBD is also recommended highly for arthritis, scarring, and for long-lasting relief from pain.