8 CBD Products for Sleep in 2023: Oils, Lotions, and More

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Cannabidiol (CBD) is a chemical compound derived from cannabis plants. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), it won’t get you “high.”

Research into CBD is ongoing, but studies show that it may have beneficial health effects. Early results are promising for anxiety, pain, and even sleep.

But shopping for CBD can be difficult. Since the FDA doesn’t regulate CBD products in the same way it regulates drugs or dietary supplements, companies sometimes mislabel or misrepresent their products. That means it’s especially important to do your research before buying CBD.

Read on to find out about 9 quality products and what you need to know about using CBD to help you get some sleep.

We chose these products based on criteria we think are good indicators of safety, quality, and transparency. Each product in this article:

• is made by a company that provides certificates of analysis (COA) as proof of third-party testing by an ISO 17025-compliant lab
• is made by a company that discloses the source of their hemp
• contains no more than 0.3% THC, according to the COA
• passes tests for pesticides, molds, and heavy metals, according to the COA

As a part of our selection process, we also considered:

• certifications and manufacturing processes
• product potency
• overall ingredients
• signs of user trust and brand reputation, such as:
  • customer reviews
  • whether the company has been subject to an FDA warning letter
  • whether the company makes any unsupported health claims

Read more about our product vetting process here.

Many people use CBD for insomnia and other sleep disorders. Insomnia can be caused by a number of things, including physical pain and anxiety. Since CBD shows promise in treating pain and anxiety, it makes sense that it might help people sleep better.

For pain management

Numerous studies suggest that CBD could treat pain effectively. For example, research from 2018 looked at numerous studies on CBD and pain, dating between 1975 and March 2018. The review concluded that CBD shows a lot of potential as a pain treatment, especially for cancer-related pain, neuropathic pain, and fibromyalgia.

For stress levels

CBD also might be able to reduce anxiety, although further studies are needed. Two small studies — one from 2010 and another from 2019 — indicated that CBD might be able to lower anxiety in stressful social situations.

Research from 2018 suggests that CBD could reduce your overall stress levels. So if stress is keeping you up at night, CBD might be worth a try.

For anxiety

Some research from 2019 looked at the effects of CBD on anxiety and sleep. The researchers administered 25 mg of CBD per day to 72 women. After 1 month, 79.2% of participants reported lower anxiety levels and 66.7% reported better sleep.

For wakefulness

What’s more is that research from 2014, which looked at both human and animal studies, found that CBD could have the potential to promote wakefulness during the daytime. In other words, it might be able to help you feel more awake during the day.

More research needs to be conducted on CBD and sleep, but the current research is promising.

How to read CBD product labels

It’s important to read CBD product labels in order to ensure that what you’re getting is high quality.

A CBD label might specify:

• Oils: CBD oils usually contain olive oil, hempseed oil, medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, or another type of oil. The label should specify which type of oil it contains.
• Flavorings: Some CBD products contain ingredients to give them a specific flavor.
• Other ingredients: If the product is, say, a CBD-infused tea, then the rest of the ingredients should be specified.
• Other factors: Some labels specify whether it’s organic or not or locally grown. It’s up to you to determine whether this is important to you.
• Dosage: Not all CBD labels tell you how much to take, especially since the preferred dosage varies from person to person. But labels should tell you how much CBD is in the bottle and how much is in each drop, gummy, capsule, or teabag.

What to look for from a third-party test

Reputable CBD products will be third-party tested and have a COA available to customers. This is where an independent lab tests to ensure that the product contains what it says.

Unfortunately, some companies say their products contain CBD, but they don’t. Reading the lab report can help you avoid these products.

• Dispensaries: If you have a dispensary or cannabis shop in your area, it’s a good idea to buy CBD there. The employees are more likely to be knowledgeable about the ingredients and benefits of the products.
• Health shops: Alternatively, many health shops sell CBD now, as do some retail pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens. Keep in mind that products found in dispensaries are more likely to have been third-party tested than those sold in other stores.
• Online for delivery: You can also buy CBD online, but don’t shop for CBD on Amazon. Amazon prohibits sales of CBD. And if you search for CBD on Amazon, what pops up are hempseed products that don’t contain CBD.

Be sure to research the manufacturer of the CBD product you’re interested in. Use cues outlined above and here to distinguish any red flags.

Leave it on the shelf

Although CBD products are becoming more accessible in some places, it’s best to avoid picking up products from the gas station or your local salon.

In order to work out how much to take, look at the packaging. It might state how much CBD is in 1 mL. If not, find out how much is in the entire bottle and work it out from there.

Generally, one dropper of CBD oil is 1 mL. If you want to start with a small dose, you can always take a half or even a quarter of a dropper.

CBD tinctures or oils are dropped underneath the tongue. Once you drop it there, hold it for about 30 seconds before swallowing.

Generally, CBD is well tolerated by many people. However, it’s important to be aware that there are some side effects. According to research from 2017, the side effects of CBD include:

• diarrhea
• changes in appetite
• changes in weight
• fatigue
• drowsiness
• jitteriness

CBD can also interact with some medications. Medications that come with a grapefruit warning may be unsafe to use with CBD. To be safe, always talk with your doctor or healthcare professional before trying CBD.

CBD products can also contain THC. It’s important to know whether or not the CBD product you’re using contains THC, as it can still show up on a drug test.

If you can, work with a knowledgeable cannabis clinician.

If you’ve tried tips for better sleep, drank some sleepy tea, and tested CBD for sleep and still haven’t found better rest, talk with your doctor or healthcare professional. After performing an examination and learning more about your lifestyle and sleep habits, they may be able to identify a cause.

Be sure to mention any possible contributing factors to your doctor or healthcare professional during your visit. These factors include any supplements or medications you may take or if you experience depression, anxiety, or chronic pain.

Your doctor or healthcare professional may recommend you visit a sleep specialist and undergo a sleep study test to find the best course of action for your sleep disturbance.

Can CBD improve sleep quality?

CBD may help your body transition from rapid eye movement (REM) sleep to non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep more quickly. More specifically, a 2014 study shows that CBD may help improve REM sleep behaviors in individuals with Parkinson’s disease.

Another small 2016 case report that was done on a 10-year-old girl also suggests that CBD may help with anxiety and insomnia for those living with PTSD.

How much CBD should I use for sleep?

Taking CBD can be a little confusing if you’re new to it, and it can get more complicated when you’re ingesting CBD.

First, you need to figure out the right CBD dosage. Start with a small amount, such as 5 to 10 mg per day. If you don’t notice a difference after a week, increase the amount by 5 mg. Continue this process until you feel a difference.

Can CBD help treat insomnia?

Research from 2014 suggests that higher dosages of CBD may be beneficial for improving insomnia symptoms. However, taking lower doses may have the opposite effect and promote wakefulness.

In addition, a small 1981 study on individuals with insomnia found that taking 160 mg CBD per day helped increase their sleep time and decreased how many times they woke up during the night.

What are the side effects of CBD?

Overall, CBD is thought to be safe. While research on its effects is ongoing, some known possible side effects include diarrhea, appetite changes, weight changes, fatigue, and drowsiness.

When is the best time to take CBD for sleep?

Taking CBD at least 1 hour before bedtime may help you score some soothing sleep.

Is CBD oil better than sleeping pills?

Research around CBD is generally still growing, and more studies on CBD and sleep are still needed. What we do know right now is that CBD is considered safe to use and may even help with sleep.

Sleeping pills do have the potential for more serious side effects, compared with what we know about CBD side effects. It’s always best to talk with your doctor or healthcare professional before trying any sleep aids or CBD.

If you have insomnia, or if pain and anxiety are preventing you from getting a good night’s rest, you may want to consider trying CBD. Remember to speak with your doctor before trying any new medications or supplements, and be sure to research CBD products before choosing one for sleep.

Healthline has sole editorial control over this article. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. The information in this article is intended to be general in nature. It’s not intended to be a substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional. Healthline encourages you to make any treatment decisions with your healthcare professional.

Is CBD legal? The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC federally legal. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them federally illegal but legal under some state laws. Be sure to check state laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled.