Research demonstrate s that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is involved in regulating the circadian sleep - wake cycle, including the maintenance and promotion of sleep (Murillo - Rodriguez et al., 2011). The ECS’s role in regulating the circad ian rhythm is tied to CB1 receptors’ GABAergic effect on the suprachiasmatic nuclei ( Kaul et al., 2021; Sanford et al., 20 08; Acuna-Goycolea et al., 2010).

CB1 receptors located in the pons and basal forebrain specifically (Murillo-Rodriguez, 2008) play an integral role in sleep induction and stability via their interaction with endocannabinoids and cannabinoids, including CBD (Pava et al., 2016). This c onnection was further demonstrated when a lack of restful sleep was discovered to cause dysregulation within the ECS (Vaughn at al., 2010).

Research suggests CBD may be therapeutic for sufferers of insomnia, REM sleep behavior disorders, and excessive sleepiness during the day (Babson et al., 2017).

A clinical study indicated that CBD inhibits thee nzyme FAAH from degrading the endocannabinoid, AEA, increasing AEA’s concentrations (Peng et al., 2022; Bisogno et al., 2001), which preclinical data has shown promotes slow wave sleep (Murillo-Rodriguez et al., 2003)

CBD blocked anxiety-induced REM sleep suppression, but had no effect on NREM sleep, suggesting th at CBD may improve sleep quality through its analytic effects (Hsaio et al., 2012).

A study conducted to determine whether CBD helps improve sleep and/or anxiety in a clinical population showed anxiety scores in patients treated with CBD decreased within the first month in 79.2% of patients and sleep scores improved within the first month in 66% of patients (Shannon et al., 2019).

Sleep disorders that carry co-morbidity and the related physical and/or mental health issues associated with a lack of restful sleep often benefit from CBD therapies.