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Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:
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We’ve tested dozens of CBD oils, gummies, topicals, and capsules and consider these six products the best CBD for sleep. Here’s why.
Research into cannabidiol (CBD) is ongoing, but early results suggest that it’s promising for helping with anxiety, pain, and sleep issues. And if pain and anxiety are hindering your sleep, CBD may indirectly benefit your sleep by helping you manage those symptoms.
We’ve evaluated hundreds of CBD products and brands and tested dozens of CBD products that have passed our initial vetting. Here are the six we’ve found to be most beneficial for getting to sleep and staying asleep.
We selected these CBD products based on criteria we think are good indicators of safety, quality, and transparency.
As a part of our vetting process, we consider:
the product’s composition, ingredients, and overall quality
any third-party certifications
the company’s reputation and business practices
any lab test results
marketing claims
Read more about how we vet products and brands.
We also test CBD products that pass initial vetting to share how they affected us.
We’ve included the products here that received the most positive feedback about sleep quality, ability to fall asleep and stay asleep, and support in managing other symptoms that typically prevent testers from sleeping well, such as anxiety and pain.
Many people use CBD for insomnia and other sleep disorders. You can experience insomnia for many reasons, including physical pain and anxiety.
Since CBD shows promise in helping relieve pain and anxiety, it makes sense that it may help people sleep better.
For example, a 2024 study on the use of CBD for sleep compared the effectiveness of CBD with that of melatonin alone or mixed with minor cannabinoids.
The researchers found that ongoing use of low dose CBD is safe and effective for boosting sleep quality, though its effects do not surpass those of using 5 mg of melatonin.
The results also showed that adding low doses of cannabinol (CBN) and cannabichromene (CBC) may not boost the effects of CBD or melatonin isolate.
As we mentioned, CBD’s potential interactions with vitamins, minerals, and supplements, including melatonin, are still unknown. This means it’s safer to avoid products that blend these ingredients since we don’t have research on their safety.
Still, carefully vetted CBD products, like those on our list, may help you sleep better. It’s also a good idea to check with a qualified healthcare professional first and scan product labels carefully, looking for potential allergens or sensitivities.
For pain management
Numerous studies suggest that CBD may effectively treat pain.
For example, the authors of a 2018 research review looked at several studies on CBD and pain from 1975 through March 2018. They concluded that CBD shows a lot of potential as a pain treatment, especially for cancer-related pain, neuropathic pain, and fibromyalgia.
For stress levels
CBD might also be able to help reduce anxiety, although further studies are needed. Two small studies — one from 2010 and another from 2019 — suggest that CBD might be able to lower anxiety in stressful social situations.
Additionally, a 2018 review suggests that CBD could reduce overall stress levels. So, if stress keeps you up at night, CBD might be worth a try.
For anxiety
Some research from 2019 looked at the effects of CBD on anxiety and sleep. The researchers administered 25 mg of CBD per day to 72 people. After 1 month, 79.2% of the study participants reported lower anxiety levels and 66.7% reported better sleep.
For wakefulness
The authors of a 2014 review looked at both human and animal studies and found that CBD could potentially promote wakefulness during the day. In other words, it might help you feel more awake.
However, some people may experience side effects from CBD, including fatigue and drowsiness.
More research is needed on CBD and sleep, but the current research is promising.
Generally, many people can tolerate CBD well, but it does have some possible side effects. According to 2017 review, the side effects of CBD include:
diarrhea
changes in appetite
changes in weight
fatigue
drowsiness
jitteriness
CBD can also interact with some medications. Medications that come with a grapefruit warning may be unsafe to use with CBD. To be safe, always talk with a doctor or another healthcare professional before trying CBD.
CBD products can also contain THC. It’s important to know whether the CBD product you’re using contains THC, as it can show up on a drug test.
If you can, work with a knowledgeable cannabis clinician.
If you’ve followed tips for better sleep, sipped some sleepy tea, and tried CBD for sleep and you still haven’t found better rest, talk with a healthcare professional. After learning more about your lifestyle and sleep habits and doing an exam, they may be able to identify a cause.
During your visit, be sure to mention any factors that could be contributing to your sleep issues, including any supplements or medications you take and whether you experience depression, anxiety, or chronic pain.
A healthcare professional might recommend that you visit a sleep specialist and undergo a sleep study test to find the best course of action for your sleep difficulties.
CBD may help your body transition from rapid eye movement (REM) sleep to non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep more quickly. More specifically, a 2014 case series suggests that CBD may help improve REM sleep behaviors in people with Parkinson’s disease.
A 2016 case report of a 10-year-old girl also suggests that CBD may help with anxiety and insomnia in people living with post-traumatic stress disorder. But more research is needed.
Taking CBD can be a little confusing if you’re new to it, and it can get more complicated when you’re ingesting CBD.
First, you need to figure out the right CBD dosage. Start with a small amount, such as 5 to 10 mg per day. If you don’t notice a difference after a week, increase the amount by 5 mg. Continue this process until you feel a difference.
A 2014 research review suggests that higher doses of CBD may help improve insomnia symptoms. But taking lower doses may have the opposite effect and promote wakefulness.
In a 2023 review of 34 studies on CBD use for managing insomnia, all the studies reported improvement in insomnia symptoms for at least some of the participants. The researchers also noted that CBD by itself or combined with an equal amount of THC may be helpful for insomnia relief.
We’ve found that it’s best to take CBD at least 1 hour before bedtime.
Research around CBD is generally still growing, and more studies on CBD and sleep are still needed.
What we know right now is that CBD is considered safe to use and may even help with sleep.
Sleeping pills do have the potential for more serious side effects compared with what we know about CBD side effects. It’s always best to talk with a qualified healthcare professional before trying any sleep aids or CBD.
If you have insomnia or if pain and anxiety are preventing you from getting a good night’s rest, you may want to consider trying CBD. Remember to talk with a doctor before trying any new medications or supplements, and be sure to research CBD products before choosing one for sleep.
Healthline has sole editorial control over this article. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. The information in this article is intended to be general in nature. It’s not intended to be a substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional. Healthline encourages you to make any treatment decisions with your healthcare professional.
Is CBD legal? The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC federally legal. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them federally illegal but legal under some state laws. Be sure to check state laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled.
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