While there’s no scientific evidence to suggest cannabidiol (CBD) can cause nightmares, there are more than enough self-reports from individuals struggling with the occurrence.
Most have noted that nightmares only occur for a few weeks after starting a daily CBD regimen. Still, others have noted the continuance of these disturbances and have been forced to lower their dosage, switch products, and change the time they’re taking CBD.
Throughout this article, we’re going to take a look at why CBD causes vivid dreams and what others have done to prevent nightmares from happening. Naturally, no two people will experience the same disturbances. Therefore, it may take some experimentation before finding the right solution for you.
Why Does CBD Cause Vivid Dreams?
By interacting with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), CBD can create homeostasis in the brain and body. As such, this balance can help restore natural sleep cycles and leave you with better rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.
That said, you may be experiencing more vivid dreams from CBD because you’re receiving deeper REM sleep. Furthermore, if you struggling with a sleep disorder before taking CBD, you may also be playing “catch-up” on much-needed sleep.
Still, it’s worth checking out the other products within your CBD product to ensure they may not be the culprit of nightmares. When it comes to CBD sleep products specifically, many are made using other active ingredients that help promote a better night’s rest. The most notable of these is melatonin – a natural hormone that helps to regulate the body’s sleep and has been known to cause nightmares.
How Can You Stop Having Bad Dreams From CBD?
As discussed, not everyone experiences bad dreams from CBD. In fact, some users who’ve experienced sleep improvement since taking these products may have experienced the opposite.
Still, if you’re experiencing nightmares after taking CBD products, there are a few techniques you can use to diminish these effects. We recommend waiting a few weeks before starting these methods. This is to ensure that your brain and body have time to adjust to CBD’s effects.
If you continue to experience nightmares, there are three things you can do to try and prevent sleep disturbances from occurring:
1.) Take CBD at a Different Time
When it comes to the time of day you should take CBD, everyone is different. On average, most people take it twice a day – once in the morning and once at night.
If you’ve experienced nightmares from CBD, it may be due to that nighttime dose. It’s worth trying to take this second dose earlier in the day or avoiding it altogether.
2.) Reduce Your Dosage
While you cannot overdose on CBD, taking too much can lead to several unwanted side effects, including nightmares. As such, it’s in your interest to reduce your dose and see how this affects you. We recommend starting with half of what you typically consume – if this is ineffective, try taking half of that amount.
3.) Switch Product and Brand
No two CBD products are alike. Since CBD is extracted from the hemp plant, the effects of a particular product are highly determined by the condition of that plant. As a result, you’re left with a unique set of cannabinoids and terpenes depending on the brand and batch.
If you’re struggling with nightmares, it may be worth switching to another brand or product. Better yet, you may want to consider changing the extract type you use. For example, if you find a broad-spectrum CBD oil is causing you nightmares, it may be worth trying full-spectrum. In fact, some research shows that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) may effectively reduce REM sleep.
Final Word
While CBD holds a lot of potential to help you get a better night’s rest, this provides the opportunity for vivid dreams. As such, some users experience nightmares and, therefore, their sleep disturbances are only furthered.
In such cases, we’ve made a few recommendations:
- Take CBD at a different time
- Lower your dosage
- Change product or brand
However, if none of these suggestions work, it may be in your interest to avoid CBD altogether. Under such circumstances, you should consult a medical professional to get a better idea of your specific situation.
