The 5 Best CBD Products for a Better Night's Sleep, According to an Expert

Many of us have trouble falling or staying asleep. CBD oil, or cannabidiol, is a phytocannabinoid derived from the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa) with science pointing to its ability to help people sleep. In this article written by Ashley Jordan Ferira, PhD, RDN, Senior Editor of Health & Wellness Strategy at Remedy Review, an independent CBD reviews site, we dig into this research and track down the best CBD oil for sleep.

Here are seven hemp-derived CBD oils vetted for quality that may help support a good night’s rest. See more about how CBD can improve your sleep, and why these products made the cut, below.

• Best Overall: CBDistillery CBN + CBD Sleep Tincture
• Best Organic CBD Option: Plant People CBD Drops+ Sleep
• Best CBD + CBN Oil: Spruce Rest
• Best Full Spectrum Oil: Cornbread Hemp Whole Flower CBD Oil
• Best Flavored CBD Oil: Charlotte’s Web Maximum Strength CBD Oil
• Best CBD Gummy: CBDistillery CBD Sleep Gummies
• Favorite Sleep Capsule: Prima Sleep Tight Softgels

Unlike the other famous cannabinoid, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD does not cause psychoactive effects. But by interacting with cannabinoid receptors in the brain, CBD is able to positively impact sleep as well as other health issues like pain and anxiety, which are common culprits of sleep loss. 

Before we dive into each of these CBD products, let’s talk a bit more about how CBD may impact 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.

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.

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.

For a product that is specifically formulated to promote better sleep, you can't go wrong with this CBN + CBD oil from CBDistillery. Preliminary studies indicate that CBN may have sleep-inducing properties, and this tincture includes a 1:3 ratio of CBN to CBD, for a total of 150 mg of CBN, and 450 mg of CBD per bottle.

To buy: 600 mg CBN + CBD Tincture; thecbdistillery.com

This Plant People tincture is specifically formulated to aid in quality sleep with the help of CBD, CBN, and various other minor cannabinoids. This particular CBD oil comes in three different strengths: 360, 720, and 1440mg of CBD per 30mL bottle. This CBD oil features full-spectrum hemp extract, which also includes many beneficial plant terpenes to help you get a better night's sleep.

To buy: Sleep CBD Oil Drops; plantpeople.co

Specifically formulated for sleep, Spruce Rest contains both CBD and CBN (cannabinol) oils. CBN is another naturally occurring compound found in hemp that works with CBD to help promote restful sleep. This formula contains 1200 mg of CBD and 50 mg of CBN, more than 10 times the CBN of Spruce's normal oil, to help you get to sleep. Plus, it comes in a natural vanilla flavor and is free from artificial flavors, preservatives, and sweeteners. Spruce CBD is all made in the USA and third-party lab tested.

To buy: Spruce Rest CBD + CBN Oil; takespruce.com

For a better and deeper sleep, Cornbread's Whole Flower CBD Oil will do the trick. Cornbread's organic CBD oil contains the highest legal levels of THC and minor cannabinoids for the ultimate nighttime comfort. Cornbread is USDA certified organic and uses organic MCT Coconut Oil and Organic Hemp Extract. This extract's CBD to THC ratio is 22:1 CBD to THC and the extra strength option has 1,500 mg per bottle.

To buy: Cornbread Hemp Whole Flower CBD Oil; cornbreadhemp.com

Charlotte's Web is a well-known CBD brand for its high-quality products, which are gluten-free, non-GMO, and vegan. Its products are also U.S. Hemp Authority-certified, and come in a variety of flavors (like lemon twist, orange blossom, and mint chocolate) and strengths (7 mg, 17 mg, and 50 mg CBD per mL).

To buy: Max Strength CBD Oil; charlottesweb.com

These gluten-free and vegan CBD gummies contain small amounts of melatonin in each (1.5 mg), which pairs perfectly with 30 mg of CBD hemp extract. These gummies feature natural fruit flavors for a tasty, consistent dose that promotes a restful night of sleep.

To buy: CBD PM Gummies; cbdistillery.com

Prima Sleep Tight Softgels contain a doctor formulated combination of CBD and essential amino acids, as well as California poppy, lavender, and passion fruit extract. These softgels use broad spectrum CBD from organically grown Oregon hemp to provide a restful night's sleep with no intoxicating effects. All Prima products are independently tested by third party labs for purity. Vegan, gluten-free, cruelty-free, and non-GMO, this is a natural sleep aid that you can feel good about. 

To buy: Prima Sleep Tight Softgels; prima.co

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. 

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.

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 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.

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. 

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.

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