The Synchronized Sleep Effect
Commonly, the top reasons people reach for CBD are sleep, pain, and stress. The National Institutes of Health house a variety of studies documenting the many benefits, which encourages people to seek these effective options today. With all the research, even more doors open to progressive lifestyle solutions as scientific formulators find combinations that have synergistic effects to target these desired results. If sleep is the intended outcome, then a combination that helps promote the varying aspects of sleep and its cycles makes the perfect concerto, where the melody of CBD is accompanied by an orchestra of supporting herbs, together performing a soothing lullaby to a body in need of sleep.
Synergy with Full-Spectrum CBD
Ideally, the choice of CBD should be a full spectrum, supercritical hemp extract. The full spectrum form allows for what is called the “entourage effect,” first described by a renowned biochemist, Dr. Raphael Mechoulam in 1998.1 It establishes the synergism of multiple plant compounds, referred to as phytocannibinoids, presenting a combined effect in the function of the human endocannibinoid system (ECS).
The ECS plays an important role in maintaining health. The “ECS modulates emotion, reward processing, sleep regulation, aversive memory extinction and HPA axis regulation.”2 Although we have known about this system, and how the body makes its own biochemical messengers that operate in a lock-and-key fashion on the ECS receptors, the functional effectiveness can be challenged by a variety of factors, such as a person’s physical or emotional capacity, life-style, diet and the environment. The good news is that nature’s plant compounds can assist us!
Supercritical Herbal Extraction
The numerous beneficial phytocannibinoids in supercritical full spectrum CBD help promote sleep from different aspects when combined with other Ayurvedic supercritical herbal extracts. The extraction process of some herbs is referred to as “supercritical,” and is a preferred method because it uses carbon dioxide (CO2) instead of harsh chemicals to yield broader beneficial phytocannibinoids. The low temperature process preserves the trichomes, terpenes and 100 other cannabinoids found in Cannabis sativa. Combining supercritical full-spectrum CBD with a blend of supercritical organic herbs such as valerian, bacopa, gotu kola and nutmeg, provide a harmonious quintet with the single goal of a good night’s sleep.
Complementary Sleep Formula
Reputed for its sedative properties, valerian is an herb that combines well with CBD, which acts to signal sleep stability.3 It especially assists the rhythm of the sleep-wake cycle of poor sleepers to help decrease sleep latency and nighttime waking.4 While the valerian is inhibiting the breakdown of the neurotransmitter GABA to facilitate the sedation effect5, both herbs bacopa6 and gotu kola7, which are revered in Ayruvedic medicine, are synergistically helping an individual cope with mental and physical stress. The last herb added to the dynamic combo is nutmeg, a traditional spice known for its calming and sleep-inducing effects.8 Next time you are tossing and turning, let your ECS be peacefully soothed to sleep by the unison of CBD with supercritical herbal extracts, valerian, bacopa, gotu kola, and nutmeg.
Jennifer Rasp-Bickerton DC, MS has degrees in Biology and Supply Chain, a Doctorate in Chiropractic with postgraduate training in Applied Kinesiology, and a Master of Science in Regulatory Affairs of Food. Having radically altered her own life with dietary supplements, Dr. Jennifer began developing proactive regimens for her patients in private practice. She promotes healthy life-style choices, including pillars of health such as a positive attitude, sleep, diet, and exercise. Today she shares strategic supplement-stacking approaches with others to help enhance the quality of their lives, addressing such topics as stress, energy, and performance. Dr. Rasp-Bickerton’s experience includes vitamin retail management, Nutraceutical sales and a nutrition-based chiropractic practice. References for this article can be found on our website.






