The Swiss CBD selection
Sleep
Exploring CBD for your evening routine? Compare formats, concentrations and CBN content in this selection. The guide brings together useful information and precautions to inform your choice.
Learn more and choose
CBD indirectly affects sleep: by reducing background anxiety and regulating the nervous system, it facilitates falling asleep and improves the quality of sleep. CBN, another cannabinoid present in some products in this selection, has its own sedative properties that complement the action of CBD.
- All Full Spectrum oils: the entourage effect between CBD, terpenes, and legal traces of THC amplifies the relaxing effect. Concentrated oils (20%, 25%, 30%, 45%) allow you to reach effective doses with just a few drops.
- Night Edition and Hypnos: oils specially formulated for sleep, with CBN added to Full Spectrum CBD. CBN has its own sedative properties, distinct from CBD.
- Swiss Dream (CBN Special): the only concentrate in our catalog containing CBN. For those who prefer inhalation as a method of administration.
- CBN Capsules: convenient format for taking before bed, with a delayed effect (45 to 90 minutes) but prolonged (6 to 8 hours), ideal for nocturnal awakenings.
- Evening Infusion and Sleep Tight: for a soothing routine before bed, in addition to an oil or alone for a gentle effect.
How CBD affects sleep
CBD is not a sleeping pill. It does not directly induce sleep but creates favorable conditions for natural sleep. Its action is mainly through reducing background anxiety, regulating cortisol (the stress hormone), and acting on serotonergic receptors that influence sleep-wake cycles.
Several clinical studies show a positive effect of CBD on anxiety-related insomnia. A study published in The Permanente Journal in 2019 involving 72 adults observed an improvement in sleep in 66% of participants after one month of CBD intake. The results are more pronounced in people whose sleep is disturbed by anxiety than in those suffering from primary insomnia.
CBN: the sleep cannabinoid
CBN (cannabinol) is a minor cannabinoid that naturally forms through THC oxidation over time. Unlike THC, it is not psychoactive at usual doses, but it has its own sedative properties that make it a natural complement to CBD for sleep.
Preclinical studies suggest that CBN potentiates the sedative effects of CBD and may act directly on receptors involved in sleep regulation. This is why products containing CBN, such as Night Edition, Hypnos, Swiss Dream CBN Special, and CBN Capsules, are most suitable for severe sleep disorders or frequent nocturnal awakenings.
Which oil to choose and at what dose
For sleep, Full Spectrum oils are preferable to Broad Spectrum because the entourage effect between CBD, terpenes, and legal traces of THC amplifies the relaxing effect. The concentration to choose depends on your sensitivity and your goal.
Beginners: start with a 10% Full Spectrum oil, 5 to 10 drops under the tongue 30 to 45 minutes before bedtime. Hold for 2 weeks before adjusting.
Intermediate use: 20% or 25% oil, 10 to 15 drops 30 to 45 minutes before bedtime. For nocturnal awakenings, add 5 drops if you wake up.
Severe disorders: 30% or 45% X-Strong oil, or Night Edition / Hypnos oil with CBN. 15 to 20 drops 30 to 45 minutes before bedtime. The presence of CBN enhances the sedative effect.
Nocturnal awakenings: CBN Capsules are particularly suitable because their effect begins 45 to 90 minutes after intake and lasts 6 to 8 hours. Take 1 hour before bedtime.
The effects of CBD on sleep gradually set in. Do not judge based on a single night: allow 2 to 4 weeks of regular use to assess the real effect.
Frequently asked questions
Can CBD create dependence or habituation for sleep?
No. Unlike conventional sleeping pills (benzodiazepines, zolpidem), CBD does not create dependence and does not generate a rebound effect upon discontinuation. It can be used long-term without risk of habituation. This is a fundamental difference from medicinal treatments for insomnia.
Can CBD and prescribed sleeping pills be combined?
With caution. CBD can interact with certain medications metabolized by liver CYP450 enzymes, including several sleeping pills. If you are taking a prescribed treatment, inform your doctor before adding CBD to your routine.
Can Full Spectrum CBD fail a drug test?
Traces of THC in a legal Full Spectrum product are less than 1% in Switzerland. Moderate consumption should not cause a positive result on a standard test. In case of doubt or regular professional tests, opt for Broad Spectrum without THC, although for sleep, Full Spectrum oils are generally more effective.
What is the difference between CBD and melatonin for sleep?
Melatonin acts directly on the biological clock and is mainly effective for circadian rhythm disorders (jet lag, shift work). CBD acts on the underlying causes of insomnia, particularly anxiety and stress. Both can be complementary: melatonin to regulate rhythm, CBD to calm the nervous system.
Sources
- Shannon S, et al. Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series. The Permanente Journal, 2019. PubMed.
- Murillo-Rodríguez E, et al. Cannabidiol, a constituent of Cannabis sativa, modulates sleep in rats. FEBS Letters, 2006. PubMed.
- Chagas MH, et al. Effects of acute systemic administration of cannabidiol on sleep-wake cycle in rats. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 2013. PubMed.
This article is for informational and educational purposes. CBD is not a medical treatment for insomnia. If you experience persistent sleep problems, consult a doctor.