The 7 Best CBD Sleep Products for More Restful Nights, According to an Expert

Methodology

Here are the factors we considered to create our list of the best CBD for sleep products.

Type of hemp extract

Our list contains products with all three types of hemp extract: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and CBD isolate. Make sure you check the type of CBD on any product you choose.

Full-spectrum hemp extracts contain the phytochemicals naturally found in the plant, including CBD, other cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes. Full-spectrum CBD products have trace THC content, below 0.3% by law. The "whole plant" design of full-spectrum hemp-derived CBD is linked to the entourage effect.

But, when a THC-free approach is preferred or required (e.g., for those taking regular drug tests), broad-spectrum hemp extracts are a great option. Broad-spectrum hemp extract contains CBD and all the other beneficial compounds within the plant, except for THC, which is removed.

The last form of CBD you'll see is isolate. Extraction and refinement processes remove the active compounds from the hemp plant and any residual plant matter, leaving only CBD.

Strength

While brands include recommended serving sizes and doses on many CBD products, the right amount for you will depend on your body, your experience with CBD, and your personal preference. We included several high-potency CBD oils for those looking for a stronger dose of cannabinoids to help them with sleep issues. There are also several CBD oils at more moderate strengths, and a capsule with just 10 milligrams of CBD that we recommend for those new to CBD.

Price

In order to compare the price and value of each CBD for sleep option on our list, we divided the cost by the total amount of CBD in each container or package to find the cost per milligram of CBD. We then labeled each one using the following ranges:

$ = Under $0.05 per milligram of CBD
$$ = Between $0.06 and $0.09 per milligram of CBD
$$$ = Between $0.10 and $0.12 per milligram of CBD
$$$$ = Over $0.12 per milligram of CBD

Additional ingredients

Many CBD sleep aids contain other ingredients meant to help promote better sleep like melatonin or natural botanicals. We looked to see how much of these ingredients was included, whether these ingredients were organic, and if they are known to help with sleep. We also included products with melatonin as well as several without it as some users may want a melatonin-free option.

Hemp source

The best CBD companies use US-grown hemp in their products and follow strict guidelines for growing and processing their hemp. All of the brands on our list use hemp grown on US farms, and many of them are USDA organic.

Independent lab testing

Always check CBD products to see if they have been tested by a third-party lab for safety and purity. This is an important safeguard to make sure that the product in the bottle contains exactly what is advertised on the label. Make sure that you can easily access the lab reports online to see the results for yourself. The products on our list all include transparent and easy-to-find Certificates of Analysis (COA).

Customer reviews

We looked at real customer reviews for each product to see if users found them helpful for sleep or not. It was important to see what verified customers had to say, and to look for any issues or complaints. Our list of CBD for sleep contains products that all had a majority of positive reviews.

The science of CBD and sleep

Seven to nine hours per night is the recommended amount of sleep for adults. Easier said than done. Many factors compete with these evidence-based recommendations, making them feel more like an aspirational goal. As a result, 35 percent of US adults are experiencing a lack of sleep—most of them getting less than 7 hours of sleep per night.

Chronic lack of sleep has consequences. It can weaken the immune system, increase inflammation, and elevate risk for a variety of serious health conditions. These include cardiovascular disease, hypertension, heart attack, stroke, diabetes, obesity, depression, and even neurodegeneration associated with dementia.

Can CBD help with sleep issues?

The cannabis plant has thousands of years of medicinal use behind it, and CBD and sleep go way back too. In a medical journal publication from 1843, Dr. O'Shaughnessy describes hemp as a "powerful sedative." Fast forward to present day, and research is beginning to build, supporting CBD's calming impact on the central nervous system.

A 2019 case series recently found that CBD supplementation improved sleep within 1 month of treatment (25 to 175 mg CBD/day) in two thirds of patients receiving care at a psychiatry outpatient clinic. Whether this improvement also occurs in healthy adults is unknown. But, a 2019 review of clinical trials found that many studies indicated positive effects of cannabinoids on sleep quality.

How to Use CBD as a Sleep Aid

CBD is most often found in the tincture format, but other product styles include gummies, capsules, and even CBD-infused tea. Full spectrum, broad spectrum, and CBD isolate are the three main types of hemp extracts used to make CBD products.

CBD may be an herbal strategy you're interested in trying to support sleep. We landed on four high-quality CBD oils, in addition to some innovative capsule and gummy options.

Vetted for source and quality, all products are derived from industrial hemp grown in the US. Additionally, all products have been tested by independent third-party labs for quality and safety purposes. Continue reading to learn more about how to take CBD, when to take it, and choosing the right CBD product for your needs.

How much CBD to take before bed

Dosing guidelines are limited due to the lack of clinical consensus for CBD supplementation. A general approach is 1 to 6 mg of CBD per 10 pounds of body weight. But the best advice is to start low and work your way up to a dose that is right for you. Work with your doctor on this personalized approach.

How to take CBD oil

When using CBD oil tinctures, a dropper is used to extract the solution from the bottle. Most CBD oil products have measurements printed on the dropper to easily measure the dose, typically 1 milliliter. Check the label for clear directions and CBD mg delivered per serving.

Once you have the oil in the dropper, squeeze the oil directly into your mouth under the tongue and leave in place for 30 to 60 seconds. This approach is thought to aid in the absorption of the cannabinoids. Alternatively, you can also add CBD oils to your favorite food or drink and ingest the product that way.

When to take CBD

When taking CBD oil to help with sleep, a commonly discussed approach is to take it 30 minutes to 1 hour before bedtime. Do this consistently for a week or 2, and gauge if you feel any improvement. Then you can adjust your approach (timing, dosing) as needed.

Possible side effects of CBD for sleep

Even though CBD is generally well-tolerated, uncommon side effects include dry mouth, diarrhea, reduced appetite, drowsiness, and fatigue. CBD can interact with the metabolism of medications. Because of this herb-drug interaction, you may want to check in with your doctor before starting CBD if you take prescription medications.

How cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system to impact medical conditions that lead to sleep disorders is yet to be determined. There is a lot to learn about the effects of CBD on the sleep cycle and wake cycle. If you take over-the-counter prescription medicines to sleep better, or if you are dealing with sleep disturbances related to a medical condition like chronic pain, consult a doctor before buying CBD. CBD for sleep is not approved by the FDA.

Quality is paramount

What makes a CBD product high-quality? First, only consider CBD brands that conduct and report third-party lab testing. These independent tests confirm the presence of active ingredients (CBD, terpenes, etc.) and the absence of toxins (e.g., pesticides, heavy metals).

You also want to verify the hemp source, like hemp plants grown on U.S. soil. This is because U.S. industrial hemp is regulated per the Farm Bill and has at least 0.3% THC by law.

RELATED: Every Question You Have About CBD—Answered

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice; it is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and before consuming or using any of the products mentioned on this site. For additional information read Health.com's editorial standards and guidelines.

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