We all know that sleep is essential. You wake up tired, you have to drink more coffee or energy drinks, your stress goes up, its a vicious cycle.
How do we calm the mind at night and get rested? It's not just about how long you sleep, it's also about the quality and quantity of sleep. As such, a healthy sleeping habit is crucial for our overall health and well-being. So, what are the benefits of sleep and how do you achieve a good night slumber?
This detailed guide will dig deep on sleep and help you understand how Delta 8 THC can be beneficial for sleep. Learn how you can unlock a restful night through the use of Delta 8 derived products.
Article Highlights
- Delta 8 is one type of cannabinoid which naturally occurs in the Cannabis sativa family.
- Delta 8 THC is an isomer of Delta 9 THC
- Just like its variant, the Delta-9 THC, Delta 8 THC is also a psychoactive substance with intoxicating effects, but milder than the later and less potent than marijuana.
- Under the Farm Bill, the legality of this substance varies across different states of the US.
- Delta 8 THC products' rage began when there was an oversupply of CBD products.
- Unlike CBD and many other sleep aids, Delta 8 products tend to have fewer side effects and work great in promoting sleep.
What is delta 8 THC?
Delta 8 is one type of cannabinoid which naturally occurs in low amounts in the Cannabis sativa family, of which the hemp plant is a member. It is one of over 100 cannabinoids found in the hemp plant and has been shown to have potential benefits. Specifically, Delta 8 THC is an isomer of Delta 9 THC, meaning that the structures are very similar, and so are the effects.
Just like its variant, the Delta-9 THC, Delta 8 THC is also a psychoactive substance with intoxicating effects, but is considered to have a milder psychoactive effect. This means that it can get you “high” or bring a euphoric effect, but not to a lesser degree than delta 9 THC.
While delta 8 can be found naturally in hemp plant extracts, it is often created from hemp derived CBD in order to produce enough to satisfy the market. Under the 2018 Farm Bill, the legality of this substance is federally legal, but varies across different states of the US. The federal law states that it is legal if derived from CBD extracted from legally supervised hemp cultivation.
Common delta 8 products
Delta 8 THC products come in a range of different forms:- Delta 8 gummies - these can include just pure delta 8, or CBDA oil or CBD oil as well
- Delta 8 vapes - these typically are just pure delta 8 in the vape juice, commonly with a flavor and propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin which produce the smoke look
While the delta 8 vapes are popular, it is hard to properly dose when smoking a vape. If you are looking for something to help with sleep, people typically try something with a lower amount of delta 8 and combined with CBDA or CBD. This provides more relaxation with a mildly euphoric and calming feeling.
Delta 8 sleep: how it affects sleep
Delta 8 THC is a promising cannabis product that can be a natural alternative to sleep aids. It has been gaining attention in recent years together with other cannabinoids, such as CBD (cannabidiol) and its parent cannabinoid CBDA (cannabidiolic acid).
Delta 8 THC works by interacting with the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS) and acts at the cannabinoid receptor CB1. Its sedative properties can help promote relaxation and drowsiness. This can help balance the sleep cycle, promoting healthy sleep patterns and enabling individuals to get enough sleep and sleep faster, too.
Delta 8 sleep products
While most delta 8 THC products are sold for their euphoric properties, many consumers have started using it for their sleep problems. Newer formulations have started to come out that focus on the sleep benefits that delta 8 offers, and they typically add some of the following to their product:- Full spectrum CBDA or CBD - helps balance out the high of delta 8 into a more relaxing experience
- Melatonin - the brain produces melatonin in the evening to help start the sleep cycle
- CBN (cannabinol) - this is a non-psychoactive compound that people have found can cause drowsiness, so you often find this in sleep promoting formulations
- Magnesium - this element is widely studied for it calming effects
We should point out that a critical component of a good delta 8 sleep product is dosing. See the following sections for further guidance.
Benefits of Using Delta 8 for Sleep
If you're having trouble getting a good sleep, Delta 8 THC may be able to help. Experience the benefits of Delta-8 gummies with CBDA and start having a more restful, rejuvenating sleep today. Here's the specific benefits that Delta-8 may provide for those struggling with sleep:
Stress and Anxiety
Similar to delta 9 THC, delta 8 THC has been found by many users to help reduce the common symptoms of anxiety and stress. Some of these anxiety symptoms include rapid heart rate, muscle tension, doubts and fears, panic attacks, and difficulty concentrating or making decisions. Reduced anxiety and stress may promote a more relaxed state of mind, which can be beneficial for falling asleep.
We should note, that when some people take delta 9 THC at higher levels, it can have the opposite relaxing effects. The same is true for delta 8 THC, so its important to start with a low amount first.
Sleep Quality
Delta 8 THC is becoming popular among many consumers for helping improve their sleep cycle balance. It can also help maintain healthy sleep-wake cycles, and enjoy longer, deeper hours of rest through the night.Dosing for delta 8 sleep problems is a critical step, and should not be taken lightly. Everyones individual biochemistry is different, so a process like the following may work:
- Start with a low dose, 1-3mg an hour before bedtime. It can take 30 minutes to an hour for the dose to kick in. Try this for a couple nights before changing the dose.
- If the 1-3mg is insufficient, move up to 4-6mg an hour before bedtime.
- A higher dose for those individuals may look like 10-15mg, but if that does not work, additional methods could be helpful
Other benefits for better sleep quality
There is usually not 1 cure for poor sleep quality, but there are many lifestyle changes that can help to sleep faster:- No screen time 2 hours before bedtime. Blue light from screens tells the brain not to produce natural melatonin, some people also use blue light blocking glasses as well.
- Magnesium supplementation, 500mg to 1g can improve sleep. Dont use magnesium oxide since it has poor absorption, the glycinate, malate, or citrinate forms work best.
- Morning exercise is very helpful in promoting healthy sleep wake cycles.
- No caffeine after noon. The average half-life of caffeine in the body is 6 hours, so a cup of coffee at 12 noon is like having half a cup of coffee at 12am midnight.
Risks and Considerations
While Delta 8 may offer some benefits for sleep, there are also potential risks to be aware of. Here is a list of some potential risks associated with using Delta-8 for sleep:
Psychoactive Effects
Delta 8 THC induces drowsiness but can be slightly euphoric and occasionally results in anxiety or paranoia at higher doses. It isn’t advisable to use Delta 8 THC if you have a history of psychosis, depression or bipolar disorder as it can trigger manic episodes.
Addiction
Delta 8 THC has been used as a sleep supplement by many consumers and not meant for use on a daily basis. Similar to delta 9 THC, it may be addictive, but taking Delta 8 THC too frequently may result in tolerance. Tolerance refers to the body becoming less sensitive to the drug over time, and it takes more of that drug to achieve the same effect.
Legal Issues
Delta 8 is not legal in all states, check before you buy. Also, most drug tests that test for THC will show positive for delta 8 THC, even if it is legal. There are a few drug tests that can tell the difference between delta 8 and delta 9 but that is uncommon.
Impaired Driving
Driving under the influence of Delta 8 THC has been shown to increase your risk of accidents and injury. Because Delta 8 THC can affect drivers for two to three hours after use, drivers should not operate a motor vehicle until the effects wear off.
Interaction with Other Medications
Delta-8 is contraindicated with other medications that affect the body's central nervous system, including sedatives, tranquilizers and anxiolytics. It may have a synergistic effect with these medications.
Quality Control Issues
The Delta 8 THC market is largely unregulated, which means that it can be difficult to know what you are actually getting when you purchase Delta 8 THC products. There is a risk of buying a product that contains harmful contaminants or is mislabeled.It is important to weigh these potential risks against the benefits of using Delta 8 THC for sleep and to talk to a healthcare professional before trying it as a sleep aid.
Before buying a delta 8 THC product, always check for a certificate of analysis (CoA) that shows the final amount in the gummy or edible. Some companies have poor manufacturing, and if they do not have a CoA you may not know what the dose is you are taking.
Finding delta 8 sleep products
If you're interested in trying Delta 8 THC for sleep, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Start with a low dose product
Delta 8 products are typically manufactured for either vape or gummies, and since you cant dose a vape, we recommend the gummy route. Look for gummies that are under 20mg, since you can cut them in half or quarters which allows for better dosing.
Choose the right product
Many delta 8 THC products are manufactured just to produce a high, and they may not be the best for sleep. It may help to look for the following before making a purchase:- Some of the delta 8 THC products come with CBDA or CBD, which adds additional calming and relaxation effects. These cannabinoid combinations will also help balance out the THC effects, and often help with sleep problems.
- Check our list above for additional naturally occurring compounds that are often added to delta 8 THC products that focus on sleep.
- Check for CoA from a reputable company to be confident in the dose you are taking.
Take it before bed
It's best to take Delta 8 THC about an hour before bed to give it time to take effect. This will help you fall asleep more easily and stay asleep throughout the night.
Stay consistent
The key to getting the most out of Delta 8 THC is consistency. Try keeping a sleep journal that helps you track your sleep quality to see if this is the right supplement for you, and if you have the right dose dialed in.Consult with a healthcare professional. As with any new supplement or medication, it's important to consult with a healthcare professional before using delta 8. They can help you determine the right dosage and ensure that it's safe for you to use.