You can’t sleep. In fact, you’re having such a hard time with it, you’re willing to try almost anything – including CBD. Research about the benefits and risks of this compound is still ongoing, though, making it difficult to pin down whether it will actually alleviate your sleep apnea symptoms. So what should you do? Is it worth a shot?
While it’s important to consult with your sleep dentist and primary care physician before taking CBD, this post can certainly lay out all the details! Here’s what you should know.
How Sleep Apnea Affects Your Rest
The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). As the name suggests, this condition interrupts your sleep cycles by obstructing your airway, prompting your brain to jolt you awake. Sometimes overrelaxed muscles and oral tissue can cause this obstruction, as well as jaw misalignment. OSA can also increase symptoms like anxiety, daytime drowsiness, and depression, which don’t exactly help you get better rest.
What Exactly Is CBD?
CBD is short for “cannabidiol.” If that sounds vaguely familiar, it’s because cannabidiol comes from the cannabis Sativa plant – a.k.a. marijuana. However, CBD does not contain all the same chemicals that marijuana does and will not “make you high.” Many people take CBD for pain relief, anxiety, depression, and other similar issues.
Studies Are Inconclusive but Promising
Like a lot of research surrounding CBD, its effects on sleep apnea are ultimately inconclusive. Though some researchers have seen promising improvements in their patients, the FDA currently only approves of one medical use for CBD – and it’s not to treat OSA.
While no one’s sure whether CBD can effectively address the underlying causes of sleep apnea, it is reasonable to say that it can mitigate symptoms that make it more difficult to fall asleep. If you lie awake for hours because you have racing thoughts, for example, CBD may be able to relax your mind and calm your nerves. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which might reduce obstructive swelling in your oral cavity.
Talk to Your Dentist and PCP Before Using CBD
Some researchers note that CBD can have some not-so-ideal effects for OSA patients, such as increasing daytime drowsiness. Because of this and its varying impact on certain medical conditions, it’s best to talk to your sleep dentist and PCP before trying CBD. They can help you determine whether it’s worth considering – or if it’s best to stay away.
About the Practice
All three of our dentists at Beck Dental Care of Columbia are highly qualified and passionate about improving their patients’ lives with exceptional care. If you’re struggling to get a good night’s rest, Dr. Kyle Williams, our certified sleep medicine dentist, would be happy to learn more about you and your symptoms. He may or may not advise the use of CBD, but Dr. Williams will help you find the best treatment for your sleep apnea! To contact our office and schedule a consultation, call 931-388-8452.