Do Delta 8 gummies help you sleep? That’s a more complex question than you might think.
Anecdotally, we’ve heard from some customers that they’ve purchased Delta 8 gummies for sleep and have seen positive results. Many Delta 8 users report relaxation is a common feeling associated with taking this cannabinoid. That could have a positive effect on sleep.
But it’s important to note that those user reports aren’t peer-reviewed studies. There is no concrete scientific research that proves Delta 8 gummies support better sleep or induce sleep. At the same time, there isn’t evidence for the opposite being true, either.
Let’s take a closer look at Delta 8 gummies and their relationship to sleep. We’ll review how Delta 8 gummies work and how this cannabinoid’s unique qualities may affect sleep.
How do Delta 8 Gummies Work?
What is Delta 8 THC?
Delta 8 THC, commonly called Delta 8, is a naturally occurring cannabinoid. In other words, it’s a chemical with psychoactive effects found in cannabis and hemp plants.
Delta 8 is similar to Delta 9 THC in broad terms. Delta 9 is the major active cannabinoid in cannabis plants — the compound that’s responsible for a cannabis high.
The 2018 Farm Bill legalized the growing of hemp with Delta 9 content below 0.3%. This legislation opened up the market for hemp-derived, federally legal products, including Delta 8.
Delta 8 isn’t quite as potent as Delta 9 however. That’s one of the qualities that sets Delta 8 apart from Delta 9 and other cannabinoids.
What Happens When You Eat Delta 8 Gummies?
In basic terms, eating Delta 8 THC gummies leads to your liver processing the cannabinoids contained in them. Then, you’ll gradually start to feel a high as those chemicals interact with your body’s cannabinoid receptors.
What Does a Delta 8 Gummy High Feel Like?
Feelings like elevated mood are common with Delta 8. A study conducted by SUNY Buffalo and the University of Michigan found that the most common effects reported by Delta 8 users were:
- Relaxation
- Pain relief
- Euphoria
Gummies offer an experience that’s similar overall to smoking or vaping, but they stand apart in certain ways as well.
How Does a Delta 8 Gummy High Differ from Vapes and Flower?
When you smoke or vape, most of the psychoactive chemicals are absorbed through your lungs and into your bloodstream. That leads to a pretty rapid start to the high and a peak roughly around 30-90 minutes after consumption.
As previously mentioned, eating gummies makes your body process most of the cannabinoids in your liver. That creates a chemical called 11-hydroxy-THC, which can change your high.
A high from edibles can take 30-90 minutes just to kick in and last for several hours. The rise and fall of the high are much more gradual. Those longer-lasting effects are one of the reasons some users choose to use Delta 8 gummies for sleep.
Can Delta 8 Gummies Help You Sleep?
We want to be clear. There isn’t a deep reserve of peer-reviewed research related to Delta 8 and sleep with fully conclusive results. Anyone who tells you that Delta 8 sleep gummies are 100% proven to work is exaggerating.
That said, there are other indications that Delta 8 gummies and similar offerings may help you sleep.
In a medically reviewed, fact-checked article, the Sleep Foundation highlighted several studies that indicate the potential for positive benefits of Delta 9 for sleep. While Delta 8 is a different cannabinoid, its effects are remarkably similar to those caused by Delta 9. This is a positive (if very general and broad) sign that delta 8 gummies for sleep may help in some situations.
Can the Effects of Delta 8 Gummies Promote Better Sleep?
Users frequently report feelings like relaxation and pain relief in relation to Delta 8. In that context, it’s only reasonable to draw a connection to better sleep. At the same time, it’s unclear if Delta 8 can specifically improve sleep patterns or directly help people trying to stay asleep.
There are also very few user reports of Delta 8 gummies interfering with sleep. While the absence of evidence doesn’t tell us anything definitively, it’s certainly worth considering.
Are There Any Drawbacks to Using Delta 8 Gummies for Sleep?
Currently, there aren’t any specific drawbacks that we know of for and sleep. Or for Delta 8 chocolate bars and other edibles, for that matter. It does look like, for Delta 9 specifically, occasional use is more clearly beneficial than chronic use as a sleep aid.
As research continues into Delta 8 and sleep specifically, more information may become available.
What Qualities Make Delta 8 Gummies a Popular Choice as a Sleep Aid?
There are a number of potential benefits offered by Delta 8 for sleep, as compared to some other cannabinoids:
- Milder psychoactive effects. User reports indicate Delta 8 can have more of a calming, relaxing experience, although it still produces a high.
- Easy to blend with CBD and other cannabinoids. Research is also sparse on CBD as a sleep aid. However, The New York Times explains its ability to potentially reduce pain and anxiety could support better sleep. CBD-Delta 8 gummies for sleep are an additional option to consider.
- Longer duration: The effects of edibles like Delta 8 gummies last significantly longer than smoking or vaping. That may make them more effective sleep aids.
Finding the Best Delta 8 Gummies for Sleep
There are so many options out there when it comes to Delta 8 gummies. It can be hard to know where to start.
When you get your gummies from Delta 8 Resellers, you can count on quality. We offer only the best lab-tested offerings from leading brands in the industry. You can try out Delta 8 gummies as well as edibles with cannabinoid blends and CBD to find what works best for you.