If you're reading this, you're likely having trouble getting to sleep or are having trouble getting deep, good night's sleep. If this is you, then CBN and Delta 8 THC could be the natural solution that you've been looking for!
Here, we’re taking a deep dive into the world of cannabinoids for bedtime; specifically, delta 8 for maintaining a healthy sleep cycle balance and what it can do for you. If you’re unsure of what delta 8 THC or even CBN are, don’t worry! We’re covering all that and more down below. Let’s get started.
First Things First - Delta 8 THC
Now, before we discuss use and applications, it's important to note four things about Delta 8 THC:
Delta 8 THC is legal under the 2018 Farm Bill… but not in every state.
The 2018 Farm Bill allows the cultivation, sales, and possession of hemp and hemp products in the United States. However, these products cannot contain more than 0.3% delta-9 THC. If they do, then they are no longer federally legal and you cannot possess these products unless you live in a legalized state. With this, hemp-derived delta-8 THC products are also legal under the Farm Bill (as long as they contain 0.3% or less of delta-9 THC).
However, some states across the country aren’t completely on board with delta-8 THC. Right now, delta-8 THC products are illegal in 15 states and the substance has strict regulations in even more places. Because of this, make sure you double-check with your state’s laws about the cannabinoid before making a purchase. You never want to be on the wrong side of the law, so it’s best to be sure.
There is a good chance that this will change in the future as we become more familiar with the cannabinoid. But, as of right now, these states are requiring more scientific proof before they’re okay with sales and possession.
Delta 8 THC can cause intoxication
Unlike CBD, delta-8 THC possesses slightly intoxicating effects that you have to be aware of. The cannabinoid sounds a lot like delta-9 THC, but it is essentially a milder form that interacts with endocannabinoid system and central nervous system. While you won’t get as high from delta-8 as you would with delta-9, you may still experience psychoactive effects depending on your dosage.
Dosage does determine effects, so it is good practice to start low and work your way up when trying to find the perfect dose for yourself.
Many people enjoy D8 simply because of the mild psychoactive results. With these products, you don’t have to worry about getting too stoned; instead, the cannabinoid produces effective therapeutic benefits that beautifully balance out a subtle high. Together, you get a comfortable, blissful experience that most people find much more relaxing than that of traditional delta-9.
Weirdly, delta 8 had more hypnotic effects than delta 9 when used at very high doses (3mg/kg or higher). After these 3mg/kg doses were given to rodents with normal receptor function, the mice experienced more fragmented sleep. These results are inconsistent with previous findings of CB1 activity and sleep. Although they do demonstrate that there is still a lot of research needed before we can really understand what cannabinoids like delta 8 THC do in regards to sleep and other effects.
In general, it’s simply important to keep in mind that delta-8 THC is psychoactive. Though it isn’t as powerful as delta-9 THC, it can definitely still get you feeling a bit high. This is one of the main reasons that so many states are choosing to regulate the substance.
Delta 8 THC can absolutely show up on a drug test
Because Delta 8 THC (in hemp plants) is similar to Delta 9 THC (in marijuana), it may trigger a positive result for THC. So if you are drug tested at work or for sports competitions, you need to be aware that Delta 8 THC can cause you to fail that test.
As they stand, typical drug tests are only testing for THC. Unfortunately, this includes THC derivatives, as well. Your drug test cannot tell the difference between D8 and D9, creating a false-positive result. So, if you regularly consume D8 and have to take a drug test, you’ll need to find THC-free options, instead; otherwise, you will definitely end up failing your test.
Of course, doses are important. If you only enjoy small amounts of D8 occasionally, you may be just fine for a drug test. However, in most cases, average doses of delta-8 THC tend to linger in the body for quite some time, depending on how frequently you indulge. You can expect the cannabinoid to stay present for about a week or so if you’re a first-time consumer, but it’ll be present closer to a month or more when you consume it regularly.
In the future, technology may progress and these tests might eventually be able to differentiate between the types of THC. Until then, though, you may be left explaining to your employer why the test came out with the result that it did.
NOTE: If you cannot take Delta 8 THC due to drug testing, please see this article on CBN which is another effective, natural, and THC-free solution for better sleep-wake cycles.
4.) Delta 8 THC is NOT CBD
Delta 8 THC and CBD are two completely different cannabinoids. A cannabinoid is a term used to refer to any of over 100 different compounds found in the hemp plant.
If you'd like to use CBD alone to help you achieve better sleep quality, check out CBD for better and Deeper Sleep.
The National Institute of Health (NIH-NCI), defines Delta 8 THC as "an analog of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) with antiemetic, anxiolytic, appetite-stimulating, analgesic, and neuroprotective properties."
Essentially, this means that Delta 8 THC can potentially:
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help ease nausea / prevent vomiting (antiemetic)
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help reduce symptoms of stress (anxiolytic)
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help stimulate appetite
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help relieve pain (analgesic)
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help protect nerve cells against damage, decline, and impairment (neuroprotective)
As we established earlier, delta-8 THC has mild psychoactive properties that can make you feel intoxicated. This is not the case with CBD. CBD is famous for its supportive properties that don’t provide any psychotropic effects. Thus, CBD is wonderful for people of all ages, all experience levels, and all careers (as it won’t show up on a drug test).
You’ll find CBD and delta-8 THC products in the same forms: topicals, edibles, vapes, and more. When making a purchase, make sure to analyze labeling and ensure that you’re buying the right product for you. Along these lines, make sure you’re purchasing delta-8 THC — not delta-9 THC. Delta-9 products will only be available in places with adult-use or medical-use cannabis products.
For those of us suffering from sleep problems, the issues that Delta 8 THC can address are exactly the things keeping us awake. This means that for some people, Delta 8 THC can be an absolute lifesaver when it comes to sleep, and so can CBD. But, we’ll talk more about that in a minute.
Things to Know About CBN
To sweeten the deal and make sleep not only better and easier, but DEEPER, many people are adding another cannabinoid called "CannaBiNol" or CBN, to their natural sleep aid regimen.
CBN is a newer cannabinoid to be discovered and its potential is still being investigated and researched. The research surrounding CBN ranges from its uses as an antibiotic, to a disease-fighting agent, or even an inflammation-combatting compound. The uses for CBN seem to be very promising, with its use as a sedative being the most discussed benefit.
One thing of note with CBN is that it is the naturally occurring result of the breakdown of THC within the plant. This means that there is a slight possibility that CBN could show up as a false positive on a drug test.
If you are concerned about drug test results, your best bet for a natural aid sleep would be to use CBD only. Click here to read our article CBD for Better and Deeper Sleep.
Properties of CBN for Poor Sleepless Nights
Interestingly enough, CBN is primarily found in aged cannabis plants. This is because it is an older form of THC. Essentially, as THC ages, it breaks down, transforms, and becomes CBN. Thus, CBN doesn’t have psychoactive properties like THC does; instead, it boasts strong therapeutic characteristics that scientists are learning more and more about every day.
The strong, relaxing properties of CBN, combined with its anti-inflammatory potential, make CBN wonderful for helping with sleep. The cannabinoid can help calm down both the brain and body, allowing you to sink your bed effortlessly. Studies find that CBN alongside THC creates an even more sedative properties compound. So, if you need serious sleep support, try pairing your CBN products alongside a bit of THC. You’ll likely get some of the best rest you’ve had in a while.
Along with helping with sleep, CBN shows promise in helping with appetite stimulation. As we discussed in our previous blog, delta-8 THC is great for suppressing appetite and assisting with weight loss. CBN, on the other hand, appears to be wonderful for those with digestive problems, eating disorders, or cachexia.
Right now, the cannabis community still doesn’t know all we can about CBN. With more research, we’ll continue to learn about the cannabinoid and all of its incredible benefits.
Delta 8 Dose for Good Night Sleep Findings
The sleep effects of delta-8 were assessed by measuring EEG readings, locomotor activity, and respiratory parameters. The researchers found that delta 8 did not have any significant changes in vigilance states or the ability to induce sleep. It was somewhat effective in increasing slow-wave sleep (SWS), but this effect was not observed at all times during the night.
There are some caveats to consider when discussing these results. First, 0.3mg/kg is closer in dose to delta 9 than it is to endogenous cannabinoids like anandamide (R). Second, no studies which involve sublingual administration of cannabinoids exist for comparison - there may be differences in absorption depending on where you put your medicine (R). Finally, the genetic background of mice.
While delta-9 THC actually increased wakefulness during the light period, delta 8 THC decreased wakefulness at low doses - this apparent discrepancy may be due to the differing methodologies of administration between studies. These results also show that delta 8 and other cannabinoids might work very differently on different species: while delta 9 THC causes sedation for rodents and other related mammals, it causes alertness in dogs and primates. This demonstrates an extreme need for further research into dosing practices as well as species differences when trying to extrapolate data from one animal to another. Nevertheless, these results do lend some support to the idea that since delta 8 does not appear to increase waking activity, it might be less likely to induce anxiety.
At doses of 3mg/kg or more, delta 8 THC caused a mild disruption of sleep - the mice woke up more often during SWS and REM sleep periods. This study has many problems which may have masked real effects: for one thing, the researchers only studied male mice. The samples were also very small (only 7-8 subjects per group), and all doses were given orally - this is probably not how cannabinoids are used recreationally, as smoking would provide faster action at lower doses. In fact, I suspect that if delta 8 worked as well as delta 9 on sleep induction via sublingual administration in rodents with normal CB1 function, we'd know about it by now.
As usual, the dosage is important - after all, it says right on the package insert of Marinol (dronabinol) that "THC's most common side effect is somnolence". Somnolence means drowsiness or feeling sleepy. That's just how it works. So, knowing that dronabinol is around 50% delta 9 THC, if you took a whole 10mg Marinol pill at once, you might feel drowsy... even though the patient information insert doesn't tell you so.
Common Applications of Delta 8 and CBN for Sleep Cycle
As with any sleep aid - natural or otherwise - it is important to consult your doctor first, especially if you are taking other medications.
And please remember, this article is meant to help give you a starting point. We are not medical professionals, and we don't know your individual situation, so please realize that you will have to find what works best for you and your situation.
With that being said, a common starting point for those using CBN and Delta 8 for improved sleep is to take 5mg of CBN and 10mg of Delta 8.
With our Active CBD Oil Tincture - Water Soluble CBN - 150 mg, that could be one dropper full of our Active CBN tincture and 3/4th a dropper full using the Strain Snobs - Delta 8 Tincture - 420 mg.
It could also be 1 dropper full of our Active CBN Tincture and 1/2 of a Strain Snobs Delta 8 Gummy.
We also have Delta 8 pre-filled vape cartridges and Delta 8 hemp flower (in stores only) that can be vaped or smoked in addition to taking a CBN tincture for a potentially quicker onset of sleep quality.
Many of our customers find that even if they have access to Delta 9 THC from marijuana, that using Delta 8 from hemp (especially when combined with CBN) has a better effect on their ability to get asleep and stay asleep.
Delta 8 Sleep: Dosing
Delta 8 for sleep is something that a lot of people can benefit from. Unfortunately, with the mild psychoactive effects, this cannabinoid isn’t quite as versatile as CBD, and not every age group can turn to it for help. You’ll have to be 18 — even 21 in some states — to get your hands on delta-8 THC, so it is intended for adults.
If you’ve never tried cannabis before, starting with delta-8 THC is a great idea. However, you have to make sure you begin with a low dose that your body can adjust to. Otherwise, you may be left feeling overwhelmed and uncomfortable. A good general rule of thumb is to start around 5 mg. And see where that dosage takes you. If you find that you’re not getting the effects you want, you can always increase your dose just a little bit next time. Increase your dose until you find those perfect results, and then stick with that amount until your body tells you you need more.
For those who are more experienced with cannabis, you may be able to start with a higher dose of delta-8 THC and be just fine. That is because your body is used to the feeling of intoxication, so you don’t have to be as cautious. However, you still want to go into the experience with care and compassion for your health and wellness.
Keep in mind that delta-8 THC doesn’t work for everybody, and not everybody’s perfect dose will be the same. It will take some time to find the right amount of D8 for you, especially when it comes to sleeping. So, don’t be afraid to do some trial and error to discover your ideal amount of delta-8 THC.
Final Thoughts: Delta 8 THC for Sleep Disorders
Delta 8 used with CBN has become a very popular option for those who suffer from sleep issues or are unable to sleep deeply and stay asleep through the night.
Like any sleep aid, you should consult your physician, especially if you are taking other medications. Also, it is important to figure out what dosage and delivery method (edible, tincture, vape, etc.) work best for you.
In the case of Delta 8 and CBN, because they are so closely related to Delta 9 THC from marijuana, those who are drug tested for work or sports may want to consider using CBD alone to improve their sleep to avoid possible false-positive tests.
Buying Delta 8 THC and CBN Products With DiscoverCBD
When it comes to buying the best delta 8 for sleep, look no further than with DiscoverCBD. Our huge selection of delta 8 THC products allows something for everyone, whether you’ve tried the cannabinoid before or are turning to it for the first time. DiscoverCBD’s virtual warehouse is stocked full of some of the highest-quality D8 products on the market, giving you all the choices you could want. To verify our products’ quality, we provide third-party lab-test results that demonstrate the purity behind all of our products, not just delta-8.
Once you place an order with DiscoverCBD, we’ll ship out your products within just a few business days. This way, you barely have to wait to get your precious delta-8. Before you know it, your package from DiscoverCBD will be waiting for you at your doorstep. So, the next time you’re struggling to fall asleep and don’t know where to turn, log on to DiscoverCBD’s website and purchase some top-shelf delta-8 THC for sleep.
