CBD and Lucid Dreams: Why Does CBD Make Me Dream?
Have you ever wondered, “Does CBD make you dream more?” or “Does CBD affect dreams?” If so, you’re not alone.
Many people report experiencing vivid dreams after taking CBD. This phenomenon has sparked curiosity and led to a myriad of questions.
This article will delve into the fascinating connection between CBD and dreams, exploring why CBD might cause such vivid, and sometimes weird, dream experiences.
We’ll consider various factors, from the endocannabinoid system to the timing of CBD intake, that might contribute to these dream experiences.
Why Does CBD Make Me Dream?
CBD has been known to make people dream more than they normally would, or that they are able to recall their dreams in abundance while taking CBD. This side effect is heavily based on anecdotal accounts, but the fact remains a large number of people are aware of this happening to them. CBD is thought to interrupt REM sleep, which might be the reason your dreams are easier to remember after waking up. It may also be down to the relationship between CBD and the Endocannabinoid System, which regulates many functions such as sleep, mood, appetite, memory, reproduction and fertility, as to why you are having vivid dreams. CBD can also Lower anxiety levels, which may make the individual worry less about sleeping, plus other things to consider are: What time of the day are you taking CBD? What is the strength of CBD you are taking? Are you on any kind of medication? What product are you using and maybe its worth changing if you don’t like the effects it is giving you? The bottom line is that there’s no medical or scientific proof stating CBD will increase your ability to dream.
The Various Sleep Cycles
Each stage of sleep plays an important role in how you feel the next day. There are 4 stages to a sleep cycle, which can change depending on the individual and environment.
There are three phases of non-REM sleep. Each stage can last from 5 to 15 minutes. You go through all three phases before reaching REM sleep.
Stage 1: Your eyes are closed, but it’s easy to wake up. This phase lasts for around 5 to 10 minutes.
Stage 2: You are in light sleep. Your heart rate slows and your body temperature drops. You are getting ready for deep sleep. This can last for 10 to 25 minutes.
Stage 3: The deep sleep stage. It’s harder to awaken during this stage, but if someone woke you up, you would feel disoriented for a few minutes.
During the deep stages of NREM sleep, the body repairs and regrows tissues, builds bone and muscle, and strengthens the immune system.
Stage 4: Usually, REM sleep happens 90 minutes after you fall asleep. The first period of REM typically lasts 10 minutes. Each of your later REM stages gets longer, and the final one may last up to an hour. Your heart rate and breathing quickens.
You can experience intense dreams during REM sleep, as your brain is more active. REM is important because it stimulates the areas of the brain that help with learning and is associated with increased production of proteins.
CBD (cannabidiol) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that has a slightly different effect on REM sleep compared to THC.
One study found that CBD effectively blocked anxiety-induced REM sleep suppression but had little effect on non-REM sleep.
This may indicate CBD increases the amount of time spent dreaming during the night – however, this effect is only a hypothesis.
Understanding the Endocannabinoid System
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex cell-signaling system identified in the early 1990s by researchers exploring THC, a well-known cannabinoid. Cannabinoids are compounds found in cannabis.
The ECS plays a crucial role in regulating a range of functions and processes, including:
- Sleep
- Mood
- Appetite
- Memory
- Reproduction and fertility
The ECS exists and is active in your body even if you don’t use cannabis. It’s believed that CBD interacts with this system, which could explain why some people experience CBD vivid dreams. However, the full extent of this interaction is still under investigation.
Research has shown that the ECS involves three core components: endocannabinoids, receptors, and enzymes. Endocannabinoids are molecules made by your body. They’re similar to cannabinoids, but they’re produced by your body.
Experts believe endocannabinoids are produced “on-demand,” meaning they’re made and used exactly when they’re needed, rather than packaged and stored for later use like many other biological molecules.
There are two key endocannabinoid receptors:
- CB1 receptors, which are mostly found in the central nervous system
- CB2 receptors, which are mostly found in your peripheral nervous system, especially immune cells
Endocannabinoids can bind to either receptor. The effects that result depend on where the receptor is located and which endocannabinoid it binds to.
Enzymes are responsible for breaking down endocannabinoids once they’ve carried out their function. The two main enzymes responsible for this are fatty acid amide hydrolase, which breaks down AEA, and monoacylglycerol acid lipase, which typically breaks down 2-AG.
The ECS is linked to several key processes, and its primary role is to maintain homeostasis or internal balance, in the body.
Given the role of the ECS in these processes, it’s plausible that CBD could influence this system, leading to changes in our dream patterns. However, more research is needed to fully understand the complex relationship between the endocannabinoid system, CBD, and sleep.
Related: Why Does CBD Make My Heart Race? An In-depth Analysis of CBD and Heart Palpitations
Timing Your CBD Intake
“Is timing everything?” This is a question often asked when it comes to CBD usage. Some suggest that taking CBD a few hours before bed, rather than right before, could influence the intensity of dreams. This could be why some people ask, “Does CBD oil make you dream?” The time of day you take CBD might indeed affect your dream patterns.
There’s often a circadian rhythm interaction with substances. If you use CBD at night, you may find that it synergizes with your circadian rhythm to increase drowsiness to a greater extent than it would if administered in the morning. This could potentially influence the vividness or intensity of your dreams.
Specifics you may want to consider include:
- Whether you took CBD on an empty or full stomach
- How CBD was taken (sublingually, orally, topically, etc.)
- The timing of your CBD intake
For instance, someone who takes CBD sublingually (under the tongue) on an empty stomach at night might have completely different side effects than if they had taken it transdermally (used as a cream/lotion) on a full stomach in the early afternoon. The degree of fullness might impact the CBD side effects that you experience, including the nature of your dreams.
Dosage and Strength
“Does CBD stop dreams?” or “Does CBD suppress dreams?” are questions that might be influenced by the dosage and strength of the CBD product you’re using. If you’re experiencing CBD weird dreams, it could be due to a high dosage or a product with a higher THC content. Adjusting your dosage could potentially alter your dream experiences.
The effects of CBD can vary on a number of factors. For the small amount of people that experience this, it could be that you have taken too much CBD oil or the CBD you’re using could have higher amounts of THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) in it.
Considerations for dosage and strength include:
- Reducing the dosage of your oil
- Checking the amount of THC in the product
- Trying a different CBD product if the dreams bother you
Strength, dosage, and potency of CBD varies massively from product to product. For example, the strength of CBD can go from 300mg – 5000mg per bottle, with varying dosages from a whole dropper full to only a few drops. This is why the potency needs considering if CBD is making you dream. Always read the label of the product in question and consult with a healthcare professional if you feel any negative side effects.
Related: How Much CBD For Psoriasis: A Comprehensive Guide
Sativa or Indica?
When it comes to the question, “Can CBD cause vivid dreams?” the type of cannabis strain used in your CBD product could also play a role in your dream experiences. Indica strains are generally relaxing, while Sativa strains are uplifting. The terpene content in these strains could steer the effects of CBD, potentially causing CBD oil vivid dreams or even CBD oil weird dreams.
You may or may not know, but there are two different strains of cannabis. These are Indica and Sativa. Indica is generally relaxing, whilst Sativa is uplifting. Terpenes will also steer the effect (both for THC and CBD), therefore terpenes that are uplifting will energize you and terpenes that are relaxing will calm you down.
Terpenes are aromatic compounds found in many plants, though these are commonly associated with cannabis because the plants contain high concentrations of them. These aromatic compounds create the characteristic scent of many plants, such as cannabis, pine, and lavender, as well as fresh orange peel.
It’s always worth investigating the source material and terpene content of your product. This could provide insights into whether your CBD product might be contributing to your vivid or weird dreams.
Product Details Matter
When it comes to CBD and dreams, the product details can make a significant difference. Always check how the product is made, its strength, and whether it has undergone third-party laboratory testing. These factors could influence whether you experience CBD oil dreams or not.
When purchasing a CBD product always check to see how the product is made, where it is made, the strength, and look for third-party laboratory testing with batch counts. If the manufacturer you are buying from doesn’t have third-party testing with lab results to hand on the website or shop, then consider giving the brand a miss.
All reputable CBD companies offer third-party testing to authenticate the quality of the product and there will also be batch counts to ensure the quality too. Safety elements a lab tests for and report on a Certificate of Analysis (COA) include:
- Exact amount of each cannabinoid
- Terpene and flavonoid profile
- Pesticides
- Herbicides
- Heavy metals
Certain particular attributes of the CBD formula that you ingest, including: additives, brand, contaminants, potency, purity, sourcing, etc – may determine whether you experience vivid dreams. Administering a CBD formula containing additives (THC) or contaminants (pesticides) may increase the risk of severe side effects and/or adverse reactions, which may affect how much you dream while using CBD. Always do your research before purchasing any kind of CBD.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about CBD and dreams:
Does CBD make you dream more?
Some people report experiencing more vivid dreams after taking CBD, but experiences vary widely. More research is needed to understand this phenomenon fully.
Can CBD cause weird dreams?
Some users have reported having unusual or vivid dreams after taking CBD, particularly at high doses. However, everyone’s experience with CBD is unique.
Does CBD cause lucid dreams?
There’s currently no scientific evidence to suggest that CBD directly causes lucid dreams. However, since CBD can affect sleep patterns, it might indirectly influence dream experiences.
Does CBD suppress dreams?
Some people find that CBD helps them sleep more soundly, which could potentially reduce dream recall. However, experiences vary, and more research is needed.
Does CBD oil make you dream?
Some users report vivid dreams after taking CBD oil, but experiences vary. The timing, dosage, and type of CBD product could all potentially influence dream experiences.
Final Thoughts…
So, does CBD cause lucid dreams? Can CBD cause weird dreams? Or does CBD give you vivid dreams? The truth is, everyone’s experience with CBD is unique. While some report experiencing CBD gummies weird dreams, others find that CBD enhances their sleep without affecting their dreams.
Remember, if you’re considering using CBD for sleep or any other reason, always consult with a healthcare professional first. This is particularly important if you’re currently taking any other medications, as CBD can interact with certain drugs.
And if you’re interested in exploring more about CBD, its benefits, and its potential side effects, feel free to check out our other articles and products. As we continue to learn more about CBD and its effects on the body, we’ll be better equipped to understand its potential impact on our dreams. Until then, sweet dreams!
Always seek the professional opinion from your doctor before trying CBD or any changes to your diet.
Does CBD make you dream? Have our tips been beneficial to your training? We’d love to hear your feedback, so please share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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Until next time, we wish you the best in your fitness journey. Remember, your progress is our passion. Stay strong and keep pushing!
