Whether you’re looking to stop using Zolpidem (Ambien) or are just exploring your options, hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) is one natural sleep supplement you’ve probably come across.
It’s easy to see why so many are turning to CBD as an alternative: Ambien has loads of negative side effects, and stories abound from Ambien users describing the strange side effects they’ve experienced.
The question is, can CBD do the same things Ambien can? Is it a viable replacement?
That’s what we seek to explore in this article. We’ll discuss CBD’s benefits for insomnia, how it works, and whether it could actually be a viable alternative to Ambien.
What is Ambien?
Zolpidem (brand name: Ambien) is a sedative drug commonly prescribed for insomnia.
Ambien works to reduce insomnia by activating the neurotransmitter GABA. GABA slows down activity in the brain and the central nervous system.
Ambien comes in immediate-release and extended-release forms, which help you to fall asleep, and then stay asleep, respectively.
Although research indicates that Ambien is effective at reducing insomnia, it has many side effects that make users want to get off of it.
What is CBD?
CBD stands for cannabidiol, which is a cannabinoid that naturally occurs in the hemp plant.
CBD is one of more than 100 cannabinoids found in hemp, and it’s become very well-known due to its wide variety of potential therapeutic benefits — in particular, its ability to promote restful sleep.
Can CBD Help With Sleep?
Although there is limited clinical research on CBD for sleep disorders, the studies we do have indicate that it may have therapeutic potential to promote sleep.
In one study of 25 adults, two-thirds reported improvements in sleep after using CBD for one month.
A research review, published in 2022, which looked at studies on CBD for insomnia, concluded that medium to high doses of CBD may reduce insomnia.
Anecdotally, many people report that CBD helps them fall asleep more quickly and stay asleep for longer, without causing grogginess the next morning.
And unlike many sleep prescriptions, CBD may also offer therapeutic support for pain, inflammation, and anxiety, all of which can affect your ability to get a good night of rest.
Indeed, people start using Ambien but report that it stops working if they’re also dealing with pain and anxiety, since it can’t also address these secondary issues.
Although, again, there is limited clinical evidence, based on what we do know, CBD may offer therapeutic support for pain, inflammation and anxiety.
There is research and anecdotal evidence suggesting that CBD has anxiolytic (anti-anxiety), anti-inflammatory, and analgesic (pain-relieving) potential.
How CBD Works
CBD works by interacting with your endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a receptor system in your body that regulates most vital functions, including the sleep-wake cycle and circadian rhythm.
The ultimate purpose of your ECS is to keep your body balanced, and to maintain the mechanisms within your body that allow you to function on a moment-to-moment basis.
Normally, the ECS does its job on its own without many problems.
However, during times of physical or mental distress (as with insomnia), your ECS can become slightly compromised as it works to re-balance everything. In this situation, CBD can help your ECS perform its job better.
Although CBD doesn’t interact heavily with the main receptors in your ECS (the CB1 and CB2 receptors), it does support the overall function of your ECS, and therefore, your body — including your sleep-wake cycle.
It is important to mention that more research on CBD for sleep is needed, particularly, more clinical studies on humans, before we know how reliable it is as a sleep supplement.
Right now, much of what we know about CBD for sleep is based on preliminary research and anecdotal evidence.
CBD vs. Ambien: Side Effects
Although Ambien is the more proven sleep solution, it also has many more adverse side effects. In this section, we’ll compare the side effects of CBD and Ambien.
Side Effects of CBD
Side effects you may feel after taking CBD include:
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
- Diarrhea
- Reduced appetite
- Fatigue
Side Effects of Ambien
According to American Addiction Centers, Ambien may cause the following short-term side effects:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Daytime drowsiness
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness.
- Falls
- Feeling like you’ve been drugged
Long-term side effects of Ambien include:
- Digestive problems
- Chronic fatigue
- Dry mouth
- Frequent headaches
- Muscle pain
- Poor motor coordination
In addition to these side effects, many people have reported bouts of sleepwalking after using Ambien — and there are many other wacky stories from Ambien users out there if you search them up.
Is CBD a Viable Replacement for Ambien?
Although CBD has many beneficial effects for sleep, and only a small sliver of the side effects that Ambien does, it isn’t necessarily always a viable replacement for Ambien when it comes to treating insomnia.
There are a few things to consider here. The first is that CBD’s effects aren’t as powerful as Ambien’s — whereas Ambien induces deep drowsiness, CBD produces mild sensations of mental and physical calming and relaxation.
While the type of full-body calming and balance offered by CBD is often all people need to sleep better at night, if you need a more serious sedative, CBD isn’t as effective as Ambien.
Research is also a deciding factor. While there are many clinical studies backing the efficacy of Ambien for sleep, there isn’t as much research to prove that CBD is consistently effective for insomnia.
Still, you may find that CBD can do the same things as Ambien without causing as many adverse effects.
Some people have also found success with supplementing — rather than replacing — Ambien with CBD, by taking small amounts of CBD while reducing their Ambien use.
Can You Take CBD and Ambien Together?
While you can use CBD and Ambien on separate days, we don’t recommend taking them at the same time.
Using CBD and Ambien together may cause the Ambien to stay in your system for longer, resulting in increased drowsiness and other side effects.
While this combination isn’t fatal, it will reduce how effective both CBD and Ambien are.
Before using CBD with Ambien, speak to your doctor. Your doctor will determine whether CBD is right for you, and will be able to provide you instruction on how to safely and effectively use them together.
How to Use CBD for Sleep: Best Products & Dosage
If you want to start using CBD for sleep, here are your options:
- Oils/tinctures – Oils (also sometimes called tinctures) are one of the most potent ways to take CBD. CBD oil is taken under the tongue and absorbed into the blood vessels in your mouth, so it works in just 10-15 minutes. Oils are one of the products we most often recommend to customers for sleep, because you can customize your dosage down to the drop.
- Edibles – The most common type of edibles are gummies. CBD edibles are convenient for building a sleep routine since you’ll get the same amount of CBD each time you take an edible. Because edibles have to be digested, they take about 1 hour to begin working.
- Capsules – Capsules, like edibles, offer a fixed-dose method for taking CBD, so they’re great for establishing a night routine. Capsules are very convenient to use, as they’re quick and tasteless. As capsules are digested, they take about 1 hour to begin working.
- Inhalable consumption — Inhalable CBD products, such as CBD flower and vapes, are one of the most potent delivery methods, as the cannabinoids travel directly to your lungs and into the bloodstream. Inhalable also work quickly — you’ll feel the effects in just 5-10 minutes. The obvious downsides of vapes and smokables are the health risks they pose to the lungs and the rest of your body.
Since different CBD products have different onset times, be sure to adjust when you take your CBD for sleep accordingly.
CBD Dosage for Sleep
Dosing CBD for sleep can require quite a bit of experimentation, especially if you’ve been used to Ambien.
Starting out, we always recommend that you start low and work your way up from there.
You can use this formula to calculate your starting dosage of CBD for sleep:
(0.1) x (your body weight in lbs.) = your daily CBD dosage in mg. for sleep
As you go, adjust your dose up or down depending on how you feel.
Conclusion: What We Still Don’t Know About CBD for Sleep
While CBD renders therapeutic benefits for sleep, anxiety, and pain, there isn’t as much research to prove its efficacy as a sleep aid as there is for Ambien.
But where CBD wins is on side effects: it can render therapeutic support without even a small portion of Ambien’s negative effects.
Ultimately, while more research is needed on CBD for sleep, it has serious potential as an all-natural sleep aid and alternative to Ambien – and it’s worth trying.
CBD vs. Ambien: Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions customers frequently ask us about the differences between CBD and Ambien.
Can CBD replace Ambien?
While CBD may render many therapeutic benefits for sleep just as Ambien does, there isn’t as much clinical research backing its efficacy for insomnia. Still, it may replace or supplement Ambien in some cases.
Is CBD better than sleeping pills?
CBD may render many of the same benefits of sleeping pills without as many of the side effects and health risks. However, most sleeping pills are more clinically proven than CBD is.
Can I take CBD and Ambien together?
While you can use CBD and Ambien on different nights, it is not recommended that you take them together. Doing so can increase feelings of drowsiness, as well as increasing Ambien’s side effects.
Can CBD help with trouble sleeping?
Research and anecdotal evidence suggest that CBD may reduce the time it takes to fall asleep and help you stay asleep throughout the night. CBD may also have therapeutic benefits for insomnia, though more research is needed.
