Ashwagandha is becoming quite well-known in the supplement world these days. This botanical extract that’s derived from Withania Somnifera, an evergreen shrub that’s native to Asia, India, the Middle East, and Africa, pairs well with CBD to help bring about improvement in sleep. Ashwagandha is growing in popularity on its own, however, because of its ability to help elicit feelings of calm so that people can better deal with everyday stressors. Today, more well-known CBD brands are combining Ashwagandha and CBD into their products with excellent results.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol or CBD is one of over 100 other cannabinoids found in the hemp and marijuana plant, which are species of the cannabis plant. While the marijuana plant contains very high levels of THC, the hemp plant naturally contains low levels of this cannabinoid that causes people to feel “high” when taken in large quantities. According to the 2018 Farm Bill, all hemp-based CBD products are legal across the United States providing they contain 0.3% or less THC. Conversely, marijuana-based products are only legal in states where recreational and/or medicinal marijuana use is legal.
CBD products work in the body by interacting with the endocannabinoid system, or ECS, that functions to help bring the body to and keep it in a state of homeostasis, or balance. Additionally, in full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD oil, all the cannabinoids, terpenes, and phytonutrients work synergistically together to elevate each other’s positive properties while dampening their negative effects in a phenomenon called the entourage effect. There are three main varieties of CBD products — full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and CBD isolates. The only difference between full-spectrum and broad-spectrum products is that all of the THC has been filtered out of broad-spectrum CBD products. Conversely, CBD isolates products contain only 99% pure CBD, as the rest of the cannabinoids, phytonutrients, and terpenes have been filtered out using a special process. If you want to get the most out of what the hemp plant has to offer, then full-spectrum and broad-spectrum products are your best bet.
What is Ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha is an herb that’s been used in Ayurvedic healing since ancient times. It’s most well-known for its ability to rejuvenate and restore. The herb works against feelings of tension and stress by lowering cortisol levels in the body. In fact, it mimics GABA, an inhibitory transmitter that’s best known for its ability to help manage mood, sleep, fatigue, and more. Ashwagandha contains triethylene glycol, a compound that researchers say helps to induce sleep. The herb also contains withanolides, which are substances inside the Withania somnifera leaves that may be able to influence the body’s ability to cope with stressors. It’s these everyday stressors that interfere with the body’s ability to sleep, thus keeping us awake tossing and turning all night. Interestingly, Ashwagandha is also called Indian Ginseng.
For a lot of people, settling into a good night’s sleep is not an easy feat. Because of this, bedtime can be a stressful experience. It’s a difficult task to fall asleep when your mind is reviewing the day’s events instead of readying itself for sleep. This creates tension in the body, which can cause troublesome tossing and turning. And when sleep is finally achieved, it may not be until the wee hours of the morning. It’s no wonder, then, that most people wake up feeling more tired than when they went to bed in the first place. In light of this, more people are seeking natural botanical remedies to help them overcome their sleep issues. Ashwagandha, along with CBD, can help support a restful and refreshing night’s sleep.
How is Ashwagandha Combined with CBD?
Reputable brands are always on the lookout for other top-quality ingredients to pair with CBD. In thinking about how ashwagandha can be combined with CBD, well-known brands in the industry look at things like:
- How other ingredients will work with the cannabinoids in CBD oil
- Overall safety and effectiveness of the combinations
- How all of the products are extracted
- How well each ingredient works for different people
- If any of the ingredients will potentially negatively interact with each other
- Historical uses of each ingredient
- Any current studies on the ingredients
- All anecdotal evidence that is applicable
Additionally, all reputable brands will have their final products routinely tested by an independent third-party lab so they know the potency and purity of the final product. Those lab reports are then shared with the brands’ customers via QR codes on products, publishing the reports on the brand’s website, or sending them to customers per request. Keep in mind that all reputable brands care about the quality and potency of their products, as well as being highly transparent with their customers.
Can Ashwagandha and CBD Help with Sleep?
Ashwagandha and CBD have been expertly formulated into various product combinations by reputable brands. For example, Many CBD brands craft their CBD sleep Chews with multiple ingredients including broad-spectrum CBD, L-Theanine, 5-HTP, Melatonin, Ashwagandha, and GABA to help customers achieve a restful and restorative night’s sleep. These Vegan Acai-flavored gummies are made with pectin and are easily savored and swallowed an hour before bedtime so that you can take your time as you finish up winding down for the day. This particular combination of these functional ingredients would help promote a peaceful night’s sleep so that customers could wake up feeling rejuvenated the next morning.
As with any CBD product, any item containing ashwagandha should also be taken consistently and regularly in order to achieve maximum effects. When taking a CBD product that’s also geared to help you sleep at night, taking it at the same time each night may help support a healthy sleep cycle. And, while you’re waiting for your CBD and Ashwagandha to kick in, you can do things like shutting off your electronic device, turning the lights down or off, getting into soft and comfortable nightwear, turning down your bed, and playing soft, calming music. All of these things will help you set yourself up for a successful night’s sleep.
As for the scientific nitty-gritty, Ashwagandha and CBD have two separate actions to help the body relax and achieve zen. Firstly, Ashwagandha works by influencing the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, or HPA axis. Specifically, Ashwagandha works to help the body maintain homeostasis with this special HPA axis system by assisting it in balancing cortisol and other corticosteroid levels in the body. In other areas of the body, CBD works with the endocannabinoid system to help reduce stress levels that are caused by hyperexcitability, thus bringing the body back into a state of balance. When taken together, Ashwagandha and CBD can effectively help address the causes of stress, tension, and sleep issues.
Ashwagandha and CBD: A Fantastic Combination
The days of combing the drugstore isles for synthetic sleep concoctions may soon be over. Today, many reputable brands are realizing the power that combining Ashwagandha and CBD can have overimproving sleep. And, when taken consistently and regularly, products that contain this combination may not only help you gently fall asleep but also wake up feeling restored and rejuvenated. So, instead of wondering what’s in that over-the-counter sleep product or dealing with the potentially habit-forming issues of prescription sleep aids, why not try an Ashwagandha and CBD combination that’s tasty, natural, and easy?
As with selecting any CBD product, take the time to do your due diligence by thoroughly researching both the product and the brand in a strong effort to check the quality of any CBD products you’re considering. Steer clear of brands that make unreasonable claims and that sell cheaply priced products. Remember that not all products and brands are created equal. So when you spend a little more money to buy top-quality products from reputable brands, you’ll be giving yourself the very best chances for a great night’s sleep.
