Compare the Best CBD Oil for Tiredness in 2024

How CBD May Help With Tiredness

Tiredness is different from fatigue. Usually, sleep and rest can relieve tiredness.

On the other hand, fatigue is a state of exhaustion that is often overpowering and not eased by sleep or rest⁽¹⁾. Fatigue that is disabling and continues for at least four months is called chronic fatigue syndrome.

Tiredness may result from psychological or physical factors, and psychological reasons for tiredness outnumber physical causes.

Psychological causes include stress, emotional shock, depression, and anxiety⁽²⁾.

Chronically anxious or stressed individuals keep their bodies in overdrive. The constant adrenaline rush exhausts the body, making them fatigued or chronically tired⁽³⁾.

Meanwhile, CBD may help reduce the risk of anxiety and depression⁽⁴⁾. Data from study results show that CBD may help regulate anxiety- and depressive-related behaviors⁽⁵⁾.

However, more extensive animal and human studies are necessary to examine CBD’s efficacy and safety for psychiatric disorders⁽⁶⁾.

On the other hand, physical causes of tiredness include iron deficiency or anemia, sleep apnea, and underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)⁽⁷⁾.

When you have inadequate iron, your body cannot make enough of a component in red blood cells essential to transport oxygen (hemoglobin). Consequently, anemia caused by an iron deficiency may leave you short of breath and feel very tired⁽⁸⁾.

CBD has little effect on iron deficiency anemia. However, hempseed oil, often used as a carrier oil in CBD products, is rich in vitamin E and minerals like iron, sulfur, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and zinc⁽⁹⁾.

About 6% of the iron in your body is a component of specific proteins vital to respiration and energy metabolism⁽¹⁰⁾. Thus, you need iron to combat tiredness.

Meanwhile, a night without sleep can make you feel tired the next day. Several sleepless nights can have severe mental effects like brain fog⁽¹¹⁾.

Studies noted that CBD may help with sleep problems. One crossover study comparing CBD with nitrazepam found that 160mg CBD increased sleep duration¹²⁾.

Nitrazepam is a potent hypnotic drug that induces sedative and anxiolytic effects and helps with sleep problems⁽¹³⁾.

Studies show that the drug does not worsen mild to moderate sleep apnea (sleep-disordered breathing)⁽¹⁴⁾.

CBD and the Endocannabinoid System

Every mammal, including humans, has an endocannabinoid system (ECS) responsible for sustaining numerous body processes.

There are two primary receptors in the endocannabinoid system, CB1 and CB2, with distinct functions⁽¹⁵⁾.

Pain perception, mood, sleep, hunger, memory, and motor control are all influenced by CB1 cannabinoid receptors⁽¹⁶⁾.

On the other hand, CB2 receptors are found chiefly on immune system cells in the human body. They induce an anti-inflammatory response, reducing chronic pain and tissue damage⁽¹⁷⁾.

With a low binding affinity for CB2 and CB1 receptors, CBD may reduce the psychoactive effects of THC while maintaining body balance or homeostasis⁽¹⁸⁾.

Researchers noted that cannabidiol (CBD) prevents the degradation of the endocannabinoid system by directly stimulating cannabinoid receptors⁽¹⁹⁾.

The whole-plant cannabidiol, a natural substance found in Cannabis sativa and generated from Cannabaceae plants, is a cannabinoid prevalent in the hemp family.

Hemp is a cannabis plant with less than 0.3% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) concentration⁽²⁰⁾. Meanwhile, marijuana plants of the Cannabissativa and the Cannabisindica species are rich in THC.

Medical marijuana (also called medical cannabis) is a term used to describe derivatives of the Cannabissativa plant that may ease symptoms caused by specific medical conditions⁽²¹⁾.

The FDA  or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved the use of cannabis (marijuana) to cure any medical condition⁽²²⁾.

However, the FDA has approved the use of a cannabidiol-based drug (Epidiolex) and dronabinol (Marinol, Syndros)⁽²³⁾.

Epidiolex is used for the treatment of severe forms of epilepsy⁽²⁴⁾.  Dronabinol is a man-made form of cannabis to treat loss of appetite⁽²⁵⁾.

Benefits of Using CBD for Tiredness

CBD may relieve some of the tiredness’s psychological and physical causes, such as anxiety and sleep apnea.

CBD for Anxiety Disorder

Studies suggested that CBD may help manage anxiety disorder symptoms⁽²⁶⁾. Unlike 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol does not have psychoactive effects on the central nervous system⁽²⁷⁾.

However, there is a need for more longitudinal studies to determine whether medical marijuana, with cannabinoids CBD and THC, may help treat depression and anxiety.

CBD has also been known for its anti-inflammatory properties that may help alleviate symptoms of various diseases caused by oxidative stress⁽²⁸⁾.

The accumulation of oxygen-reactive species in tissues and cells can damage tissue and result in cell death. This process has been linked to the development of neurological disorders, such as anxiety disorders⁽²⁹⁾.

Results of studies involving oxidative stress in tiredness are essential in present and future animal and human studies.

In addition, studies on the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of CBD⁽³⁰⁾ may explain how CBD may help with oxidative stress. Researchers have suggested that cannabidiol may help protect various proteins and lipids from damage⁽³¹⁾.

However, more relevant studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness of CBD in the treatment of neurodevelopmental conditions, such as anxiety disorder.

CBD for Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a collection of respiratory problems characterized by snoring, headaches, sleep disturbances (insomnia), and daytime tiredness⁽³²⁾. Patients with the condition may experience sleep deprivation or have less than optimal sleep.

Researchers noted that a Sativex extract formulation containing equal doses of CBD and THC may improve sleep quality in subjects with cancer and neuropathic pain⁽³³⁾. Results also suggest that cannabis derivatives may also help with chronic pain and fibromyalgia.

There have been mixed effects when combining CBD and THC. The study showed that combining the two compounds may improve sleep quality⁽³⁴⁾.

Studies have shown that cannabidiol may help individuals sleep better⁽³⁵⁾. Still, further studies are needed to determine how CBD may help with sleep disorders.

Can CBD Help Sustain Focus and Energy?

Studies have suggested that CBD may alter proinflammatory pathways and energy metabolism in vitro⁽³⁶⁾. However,  there is a need for further human clinical studies to assess whether CBD may help increase focus and energy.

While CBD oil may provide potential health benefits, studies have not found sufficient evidence supporting its claims. For your safety, consult a healthcare expert before taking CBD for any medical condition, including tiredness.

How Long Does CBD Take to Help With Tiredness?

CBD oil, through sublingual administration, may allow users to experience its effects in 15 to 30 minutes⁽³⁷⁾.

On the other hand, CBD edibles like gummies may take effect as soon as 30 minutes to two hours after consuming them.

Meanwhile, inhaling CBD through vaping or smoking may have a two-minute onset time, depending on the method of administration⁽³⁸⁾.

How Long Does CBD Help With Tiredness?

CBD’s effects depend on the compound’s bioavailability and half-life.

The half-life of a medication is the time required to decrease it to half its original dosage. For instance, cannabidiol can last for about 1.4 to 10.9 hours after administration using an oromucosal spray⁽³⁹⁾.

Meanwhile, bioavailability is the property of a drug or other substance that allows it to be absorbed and used by the body. Bioavailability depends on the product’s composition and the route of administration.

For instance, CBD has a 31% bioavailability after smoking⁽⁴⁰⁾. On the other hand, CBD has a bioavailability of between 6% and 20% when taken sublingually.

How to Take CBD Oil for Tiredness

One convenient and direct way to take the best CBD oil is by consuming CBD capsules and edibles. These products ensure that the CBD dosage is consistent.

Using droppers to consume cannabidiol oil or tinctures is a practical option for users wanting to control their dosage. These products may be administered sublingually (directly under the tongue), enabling the compound to be absorbed into the bloodstream through the tissues beneath the tongue.

A study conducted in 2010 supported this concept, stating that the peak blood levels of most drugs commonly used in the field of sublingual application are achieved in about 10 to 15 minutes⁽⁴¹⁾.

When choosing the right amount of CBD for specific medical conditions, talk to the healthcare provider about your options and preferences.

CBD Dosage for Tiredness

There is no standard CBD dosage for tiredness. Generally, dosage ranges for CBD uses take into consideration the patient’s body weight to help determine the ideal starting dose⁽⁴²⁾.

According to research, low doses are modest levels, ranging from 0.5 mg to 20 mg of CBD per dosage per day⁽⁴³⁾.

How to Choose the Best CBD Oil for Tiredness

CBD tinctures, topical CBD products like lotions and creams, edibles like CBD gummies, pills, and capsules, and CBD vapes are only some of the various CBD products available on the market.

These products may contain full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD, or CBD isolates.

Broad- or full-spectrum extracts from whole plants are also called whole-plant products or whole plant CBD products.

These products contain all the beneficial components found in the natural plant. However, unlike full-spectrum CBD oils, broad-spectrum CBD oils are THC-free.

Meanwhile, CBD isolates only contain pure CBD.

Note that hemp oil (a term also used to refer to CBD oil) and hemp seed oil are not the same.

Although hempseed oil contains nutrients and fatty acids, it does not have the same properties as full-spectrum CBD oil extracted from hemp flowers, leaves, and stalks⁽⁴⁴⁾.

To ensure that beginners (first-time users) and experienced CBD users are buying high-quality products, they should:

• Choose organic hemp and locally-grown hemp extract from hemp farms that practice sustainable farming. Also, look for CBD products made with USDA-certified organic ingredients.
• Consider the extraction method used. Steam distillation, ethanol, natural solvent, and CO₂ extraction methods are some of the safe and clean extraction methods used by manufacturers.
• Look for a trusted company that uses high-quality CBD extract. Verify the oil’s potency and purity by looking at the certificate of analysis (COA) from a third-party lab.

COAs ensure that the CBD brands’ products contain non-GMO ingredients, without heavy metals, pesticides, and molds that can compromise customers’ wellness.

• Buy wellness products like CBD supplements loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, which may help relieve stress and promote sleep⁽⁴⁵⁾. These products may help with tiredness.
• Try to purchase products from companies that offer a money-back guarantee to their customers. CBD brands like Charlotte’s Web, CBDistillery, and Nuleaf Naturals aim to provide customer satisfaction by adding this feature.

Side Effects of Using CBD for Tiredness

CBD may cause mild to moderate side effects, such as diarrhea, dry mouth, reduced appetite, fatigue, and drowsiness^(46).

However, the entourage effect gives a favorable contribution of terpenes to cannabinoids to improve the cannabinoids’ health benefits⁽⁴⁷⁾.

A study shows that smaller doses of CBD were stimulating, whereas more significant amounts were found to be relaxing⁽⁴⁸⁾.

Based on over 130 studies, CBD does not affect physiological parameters, including blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature. Hence, CBD may be safe for chronic fatigue syndrome or CFS symptoms⁽⁴⁹⁾.

Legality of CBD

At the federal state level, marijuana remains a controlled substance under the Federal Controlled Substances Act. The Drug Enforcement Administration noted a high abuse potential⁽⁵⁰⁾.

The FDA has only approved Epidiolex, a CBD-based medicine for tubular sclerosis and seizures associated with two pediatric epilepsy types⁽⁵¹⁾.

Meanwhile, the 2018 Farm Bill allowed CBD products to be sold in the United States if they contained less than 0.3% THC.

However, each state has their regulations regarding the level of THC⁽⁵²⁾. For example, in Indiana, Governor Eric Holcomb signed a bill that allows the sale of low-THC hemp extract⁽⁵³⁾.