A study published by Harvard Health Publishing states that 10-18% of the general population in the United States are extremely sleep deprived. This lack of sleep leads to the onset of anxiety, depression, and ADHD.

But how?

The Relationship Between Sleep Deprivation and Anxiety

The relationship between sleep and anxiety is extremely complex. It has been observed that people who suffer from conditions like sleep apnea are 5x more likely to suffer from anxiety, and those diagnosed with insomnia have been found to be 17x more vulnerable to clinical anxiety.

Scientists believe the reason behind this is the altered neuroactivity in the brain.

Sleep deprivation can change the way the brain functions. It can happen in both ways - incrementally losing sleep over a period of weeks and being awake for days at a stretch. This, in turn, affects mood and causes the onset of anxiety.

The amygdala – which is responsible for the fight or flight reaction of the body – becomes hyperactive due to lack of sleep. This state of constant stimulus and arousal can make the brain believe it is under threat – a feeling that manifests as acute anxiety. Additionally, insomnia has been found to increase the production of cortisol – the stress hormone – which fuels this feeling of anxiety.

It has also been found that the brains of insomniacs are unable to regulate emotions as well as the brains of people who get sufficient sleep. This can make sleep-deprived people and insomniacs unable to control their rising feelings of anxiety manually.

How CBD Products Can Help Manage Insomnia and Anxiety

Cannabidiol oil is a product that is derived from cannabis. It is free of the psychoactive properties that the cannabis plant possesses, because of the unique processing that the CBD undergoes (which removes the psychoactive THC from it). Made from natural ingredients that are designed to offer numerous health benefits, CDB oil and creams can be used to manage insomnia and seek anxiety relief.

One of the ways CBD oil can help improve sleep and reduce anxiety is by reducing pain. The topical application of CBD oil and creams target damaged cells in the body and reduce the painful inflammation in them. Reduction in pain allows people to sleep better, which helps manage anxiety.

Additionally, research has discovered CBD’s ability to affect REM sleep. CBD offers stress relief by reducing the occurrence of REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) in people suffering from Parkinson’s disease.

RBD increases nightmares and violent physical reactions during sleep. People suffering from RBD wake up feeling more stressed than rested. Cannabidiol oils and creams, when used, reduce the number and duration of disruptions in sleep, allowing the person to get an uninterrupted night of sleep. Plus, CBD has also been observed reducing daytime drowsiness by increasing the user's alertness and wakefulness, helping them fall asleep faster at night.

When the person gets enough sleep, the amygdala isn't as stimulated, and cortisol production is also reduced, meaning they automatically feel less anxious. This is why it is recommended that people suffering from insomnia-induced anxiety use CBD oil to help feel refreshed and calm.

If you’d like to purchase 100% organic and premium-quality pure CBD oil and creams, contact us at Sprightly in North Carolina. Our cannabis is locally-sourced and is processed with care. You can trust us for quality and safety.