Many people underestimate the value of a good night’s sleep. A productive day and the amount of energy you have rely on how well you slept the night before. As a competitive runner who understands the importance of sleep for recovery and performance, I faced a huge dilemma when my sleep pattern changed for the worse.
Throughout my adolescence and twenties, I never had trouble sleeping. It wasn’t until my thirties that my sleep became inconsistent. I would go to bed at 10:00PM, wake up around 6:00AM and still feel tired, as if I had been up all night. So I tried to find a solution. I tried everything, from melatonin to changing my eating habits. I had read that athletes sleep and perform better if they stop eating by 8:00PM. Unfortunately, none of that worked.
It wasn’t until I started to incorporate CBD gummies and soft gels that my ability to remain asleep began to improve. Let’s start with…
Why does CBD help your sleep?
CBD stands for cannabidiol. According to Harvard Health, CBD is the second most prevalent of the active ingredients of cannabis (marijuana). While CBD is an essential component of medical marijuana, it is derived directly from the hemp plant, which is a cousin of the marijuana plant. CBD is commonly used to address anxiety, and for patients who suffer through the misery of insomnia, studies suggest that CBD may help with both falling asleep and staying asleep.
If you’re yearning for sweet dreams, here are a handful of CBD brands and Hemp based products I recommend trying:
Venga CBD: Aid Station
I was just about 14 miles into my run to the top of San Gorgonio when my coach passed me a bottle of Venga CBD gummies. I was hesitant but took one (25mg). Having already adjusted to the altitude change, I knew that the calm wave which came over me about twenty minutes later had everything to do with the gummies. I felt fantastic and was able to keep running without the thought of any aches or pains, and 20 miles and 11,503 ft. elevation later; I felt just fine! That evening, I took one more and slept like a baby!
Manufactured for athletes, these vegan / THC-free CBD isolate gummies are delicious and easy to pop while you’re running the trails or racing an ultra distance.
The CBD gummies are meant to:
- Reduce inflammation that causes pain, stiffness & immobility
- Lessen pain during long training sessions & competition
- An All-natural alternative to drugs like ibuprofen
Venga CBD Ultra Gels
I wish I knew about these gels when I ran my first 30-mile ultra race back in March!
Great for endurance athletes, the oil (similar to tincture) hits your system right away! The Water Soluble technology gives you a competitive advantage by delivering 5x CBD into your bloodstream over typical CBD products. It helps to reduce inflammation and guides your body for faster healing. The softgels have up to 10x more cannabinoids than typical industrial hemp. Happy trails!
Nira Full-Spectrum Hemp Oil Softgels
Nira Hemp oil products are formulated by Dr. Laszlo Mechtler who is renowned for his work on cannabinoid-based therapies. It’s important to note that there is a tiny fraction of THC (0.3%) in these softgels. I happen to be very sensitive to THC; so beware if you are as well. Each gel has 10mg CBD and is formulated with phytocannabinoid-rich oil derived from the highest quality hemp flower. The softgels contain a powerful formula that is comprised of a wide range of cannabinoids. I took 30mg one evening. My body was extremely relaxed.
Nira Tincture 500mg
If it’s tincture you’re into, try their Nira Full-Spectrum Tincture. Like the softgels, it is formulated with phytocannabinoid-rich oil derived from the highest quality hemp flower. (10mg of CBD Per Serving).
Naysa Isolate Gummies
Similar to the Venga CBD gummies, I love Naysa for a good night’s sleep. I take 50mg for a great effect. Naysa has Full Spectrum (with THC) or Isolate gummies made by CBD Hemp Experts. Obviously, I went with the Isolate! 25mg, NAYSA CBD Gummies promote relief, reduce anxiety, support your immune system, combat swelling, reduce stress and experience all the other benefits of CBD.
