In a world where we are bombarded with, what seems like, an infinite amount of information overload and the driving need to constantly be on the move in order to avoid being dubbed as “lazy”, it becomes more and more difficult to hit that “off” switch connected to our brains when it comes time to get our much-needed rest. In fact, as time goes on and the more information we absorb, it can become fairly common to develop some form of insomnia. However, there are other causes of insomnia to consider as well. And so, the question remains, can CBG and CBD help achieve a restful night’s sleep?
Before we get into this, let’s discuss what insomnia is, shall we?
Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that can make it hard to fall asleep, hard to stay asleep, or cause you to wake up too early and not be able to get back to sleep. You may still feel tired when you wake up. Not only can insomnia suck your mood and energy levels, but it can also have an effect on your health and quality of life!
So, what else can cause Insomnia?
Generally, insomnia is a result of stress, life events, or habits that disrupt sleep. Treating the underlying cause can resolve the insomnia, but sometimes it can last for years.
Some common causes of Insomnia include:
- Stress
Concerns about work, school, health, finances or family can keep your mind active at night, making it difficult to sleep. Stressful life events or trauma can also be an issue. - Poor sleep habits
Poor sleeping habits such as an irregular bedtime schedule, naps, stimulating activities before bed, or an uncomfortable sleep environment. Devices such as smartphones and other electronics just before bed can also interfere with your sleep cycle. - Overeating in the evening
Having a light snack before bedtime probably won’t create an issue, but eating too much may cause you to feel physically uncomfortable while lying down. There is also the possibility of experiencing heartburn, which is a backflow of acid and food from the stomach into the esophagus after eating. - Travel and work schedule
Your personal, natural rhythms act as an internal clock. They guide such things as your sleep-wake cycle, metabolism, and body temperature. By disrupting your body’s natural rhythms insomnia may occur. Causes include jet lag from traveling across multiple time zones, working a late or early shift, or frequently changing shifts.
*It is also noteworthy to mention that insomnia becomes more common with age.
How do I know if I have Insomnia?
Some symptoms of Insomnia may include:
- Difficulty falling asleep at night
- Frequently waking up during the night
- Waking up too early or after only a few hours of sleep
- Not feeling well-rested after a night’s sleep
- Tiredness or sleepiness during the day
- Irritability, depression, and/or anxiety
- Difficulty paying attention, focusing on tasks, or remembering
Enter the Benefits of CBG and CBD.
First, as noted in a previous article, CBG is often referred to as “The Mother of All Cannabinoids because all of the other cannabinoids start out as a form of CBG. Although CBD is derived from CBG, and may produce some similar benefits, they are not the same. The biggest difference being CBG directly interacts with the brain’s CB1 and CB2 receptors. Meanwhile, CBD produces its benefits through a more indirect interaction with these receptors from our endocannabinoid system. Every cannabinoid has an expansive amount of untapped potential, however, while CBD is a well-known commodity and in products just about everywhere, CBG is lesser-known and has yet to fully come into play. This is mainly because CBG typically exists in small amounts in the hemp plant and is very difficult to extract. What is interesting is CBG’s ability to imitate our body’s natural endocannabinoids, which are the natural compounds our body makes and are processed by the body’s endocannabinoid system. Why is this important?
Remember the “Entourage Effect”?
“The Entourage Effect is a proposed mechanism by which cannabis compounds, such as cannabinoids, terpenoids, and flavonoids, act synergistically with each other to modulate the overall effects of the plant. The entourage effect may make some cannabis products more effective than isolated compounds.”
Why is this important?
CBG’s benefits are generally more bodily-focused. Although research shows it can help with anxiety, CBG is mainly known in the hemp and cannabis world as an anti-inflammatory and can also aid in regulating digestion and bowel irritation. On the other hand, CBD has stronger mental effects than CBG without getting you high as it has no psychoactive properties. This can allow you to get your mind into a relaxed state that is more conducive to sleeping.
Though CBD and CBG are powerful in their own right, the entourage effect, or the combining of these cannabinoids, renders even greater effects. By taking CBG and CBD together, you will be able to achieve the “Full Body Effect”, meaning you get the mind-focus benefits of CBD while you also get the bodily-focused benefits of CBG at the same time.
As a matter of fact, some people have found that this combination is better for sleep than using either cannabinoid by itself. As always, the best way to know is to try it out for yourself to see what works for you, right?
