CBD Oil For REM Sleep Behavior Disorders

CBD, the non-psychoactive component of cannabis, is gaining ground as a potential tool in the fight against sleepless nights and the personal safety concerns caused by REM sleep behavior disorder. To better understand why people are turning to CBD oil for REM sleep behavior disorder, we’ll look at the science behind CBD and how it can help people regain control over their sleep patterns.

What is REM Sleep Behavior Disorder?

Despite making up only 20 to 25 percent of the total sleep cycle, the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep is incredibly important. During this stage, your brain’s electrical activity is similar to when you’re awake. This stage is associated with dreaming, and a necessary component of REM sleep is a bodily paralysis that keeps you from acting out your dreams.

Those with REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), though, work their way through the REM stage without this paralysis. This causes them to act out their dreams, which can be intense, vivid, and even violent. People with this disorder can be found jumping, kicking, punching, and yelling in their sleep. This, of course, poses serious safety risks to both the dreamer and those near to them.

What Causes REM Sleep Behavior Disorders? 

In more than half the cases of RBD, the cause is unknown. In some other cases, RBD may be associated with several other health disorders:

• Alcohol withdrawal 
• Lewy body dementia 
• Parkinson’s disease 

Another potential cause of RBD is prescribed medicine. Those taking antidepressants, such as fluoxetine, imipramine, and mirtazapine, are especially likely to experience RBD.

Can You Take CBD Oil for REM Sleep?

Recent research indicates that CBD improves the quality and quantity of sleep. For example, research from 2014 found that Parkinson’s disease patients who used CBD oil for active behavior during dreaming states experienced reduced symptoms of RBD. Additional analysis also found that CBD may also help those with RBD without the symptoms of other medications, such as daytime grogginess or sleepiness.

By promoting healthy sleep as well as wakefulness, there may be some efficacy in using CBD oil for insomnia, as well. A 2014 research review found that CBD aided restful sleep without the side effects commonly associated with sleep medications. If you’re experiencing RBD, make sure to discuss the situation with your doctor. They can go over the best treatment options for your specific situation. If they believe CBD is right for you, your doctor is best equipped to go in detail about the ways to take CBD oil for better sleep.