How does CBD oil affect paradoxical sleep? Great question! Let’s take a look at the information and put it all together to find the right answer.
Did you know that sleep problems affect 70 million Americans or 50% to 60% of the population worldwide? Sleep disturbance issues do not discriminate. The effects extend to all genders, races, and age groups. You’re not alone in your search for a solution or a reason.
We need a clearer picture of what paradoxical sleep is and what CBD oil is. With increased knowledge, we can take a look at the complete picture. Is CBD oil the answer to your lack of sleep?
What Is Pardoxical Sleep?
Paradoxical sleep is what most of us know as REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. It is named paradoxical sleep because, within the brain, it closely mimics the awake stage. The central neuron activity or brain waves during awake and paradoxical sleep look very much the same.
Our muscles lack function during paradoxical sleep except for our diaphragm (for breathing) and our eye muscles. The dream state of our sleep cycle takes place during paradoxical sleep.
Why Is Paradoxical Sleep Necessary?
Do you have a sleep threshold that works well for you? Say if you get less than 6 hours of sleep, you can’t think clear the next day? The paradoxical sleep stage helps your brain to rejuvenate from the previous days’ activities. Your brain has pathways that allow you to form new memories and learn. Lack of proper REM sleep will cause brain fog or poor concentration along with poor memory retention.
The necessary sleep pattern is detrimental to your overall health and well-being. Sleep has a long-lasting effect on every part of the body. It can help you fight disease, infections, depression, and weight gain.
What Is CBD Oil?
CBD oil is all the craze now. Everyone is promising it is a cure for all. But exactly what is it, and why can it help so many and harm others?
CBD is short for Cannabidiol. CBD oil is extracted from the hemp plant and added to the oil as a distributor. CBD oil is exactly as stated; it is an oil with CBD in it. As I mentioned, it is derived from the hemp plant but don’t confuse it with hemp oil. When CBD oil is manufactured, there are regulations to follow, but hemp oil is non-regulatory without consistent in manufacturing.
How Is CBD Oil Used In Your Body?
In 1990 Lisa Matsuda and her team discovered DNA sequencing receptors in the brain called cannabinoid, which are neurotransmitters that communicate within the body to balance it. These receptors are now known as the Endocannabinoid System. The name itself sounds like it is strictly for CBD’s uptake, which is not the case.
The Endocannabinoid System has 2 parts known as CBD1 and CBD2 receptors. These receptors are located in the brain and throughout the body. DBD1 is primarily in the brain, where CBD2 is located for the most part in the immune system and other organs throughout the body.
The CBD1 and CBD2 receptors are present in the body and help regulate functions such as sleep, appetite, mood, and regulating circadian rhythms (the body’s awake sleep cycle.) When you introduce CBD oil into your system, the receptors take in the CBD, which is why it is believed that CBD can aid in sleep for some.
Paradoxical Sleep Disorders
There are many types of sleep disorders but many are grouped into 5 main types.
- REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
- Insomnia
- Sleep Apnea
- Restless Legs Syndrome
- Narcolepsy
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
Have you heard or seen someone talking in their sleep or thrashing around while they are asleep? Physical activity during the paradoxical sleep period is considered a disorder because the muscles are not paralyzed to allow for a functional sleep pattern.
REM sleep behavior disorder can result from some neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s or Lewy Body Dementia or the result of PTSD.
Insomnia
Most know what insomnia is; you just can’t go to sleep and/or stay asleep. There a couple of kinds of insomnia, the short term and the chronic.
Short-term insomnia is usually situational such as the recent loss of someone, increased stress, or sleep schedule changes.
Chronic insomnia is usually related to another problem, such as a sleep disorder, medical diagnosis, or a mental health issue. It will last for a month or longer.
Sleep Apnea
Apnea is stopping breathing, so sleep apnea is the intermittent absence of breathing while you sleep. Sleep apnea can occur because of a sleep position such as sleeping on your back, and your tongue blocks your airway. Or it can happen if your brain doesn’t send a signal to your muscles, telling them to breathe.
Restless Leg Syndrome
Restless Leg Syndrome, otherwise known as RLS, is an uncontrollable urge to move your legs. It causes a crawling feeling in your legs, usually in the evening or night. During sleep, RLS will cause the person to have jerky legs, which prevents the needed paradoxical sleep pattern.
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that causes a person to fall asleep without notice at any time, day or night. There is no definitive cause for narcolepsy, yet the search for a cause and a cure goes on.
How Does CBD Oil Affect Paradoxical Sleep?
For some, CBD oil helps the sleep pattern, and for others, it does not. Your sleep may be improved directly or indirectly.
- Indirectly-CBD oil can reduce inflammation, anxiety, and pain, thereby increasing your ability to sleep.
- Directly-CBD oil may interact with the CBD1 receptor in the brain to help with insomnia.
CBD oil may help a person go to sleep, but does it affect REM sleep? Studies show but are not conclusive that CBD oil does not directly affect paradoxical sleep. However, it helps with insomnia, thereby allowing the person to stay asleep long enough to reach the REM cycle of sleep.
In the REM or paradoxical stage of sleep, the body can heal itself and allow for increased daytime learning and memory.
CBD oil is not well understood, but the research goes on. Although it is thought to help with paradoxical sleep, there are no conclusive studies to support this statement.
Should You Take CBD Oil?
I can not give you a recommendation because of my medical Nursing license. But I can lead you in the right direction. If you feel CBD oil may be beneficial for you, I suggest you visit your physician for further evaluation. Also, find out if your body can metabolize and absorb CBD oil well.
Here at DNA is the Way, we do offer an alternative to guessing about your health and if CBD oil is right for you to help you sleep. We do offer state of the art breakthrough to determine how your body will do with CBD oil. It is a DNA test that is done with a simple cheek swab test. The knowledge you receive with this simple DNA test can change your life.
Do you have a sleep disorder or have wondered if CBD oil is right for you? A DNA test may be just what you have been searching for.