CBD Supplementation Improves Perceived Sleep Quality and Immune Function in Healthy Adults

by | Aug 27, 2024 | 2023, Alternative Therapies, Botanicals, CBD, Immune Health, Recent Articles, Sleep

Written by Chrystal Moulton, Science Writer. Researchers saw an overall improvement in sleep evaluation scores [LSEQ scores] in the CBD group after eight weeks (P= 0.04).

CBDThe cannabis plant contains 140 cannabinoids that has been used medicinally since ancient times1. Cannabidiol (CBD), one of the cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, is a non-toxic molecule associated with improved sleep quality, immune function, and mental health2,3. As the US has shifted in its policies towards cannabis, many states are now approving the use of cannabis medicinally and recreationally. The clinical use of cannabidiol (CBD) is found in an FDA approved anticonvulsant drug called Epidiolex®. Furthermore, clinical trials and case studies have demonstrated the benefits of CBD in mental health and sleep in humans4,5. Additional studies have shown anti-inflammatory and immune effects of CBD in cell and animal studies6-8. In the current trial, investigators conducted a randomized clinical control study to investigate the effect of CBD versus placebo on mental health, sleep quality, and immune function in healthy college aged adults9.

Forty-four eligible young adults enrolled in this trial. Volunteers (aged 18-50 years old) were required to abstain from cannabis use six weeks prior to the initiation of this study and were required to have no history of drug or chronic alcohol use. Participants prescribed anti-inflammatory medications, or any medicines metabolized by the liver were not included in this study. Also, individuals with chronic conditions including cardiovascular, neurological, mood or metabolic disorders, were pregnant or nursing, or were unable to adhere to the study protocol were not included. In the end, 38 individuals were randomized to receive either the control or treatment. The treatment group received CBD in the form of liquid gel pills containing 50mg of purified hemp derived CBD. The control group received a capsule containing 225mg medium chain triglyceride as the placebo. Participants in both groups were required to take their assigned protocol after their last meal 1 to 1.5 hours before bedtime. Participants were provided two 7-day supplies of their assigned protocol and were required to meet with the investigators on a biweekly basis to review any adverse side effects and assess adherence to the trial protocol. The intervention lasted for eight weeks. At baseline, all volunteers were assessed for COVID upon which positive COVID resulted in immediate disqualification. Afterwards, investigators conducted an assessment on each individual’s medical health history, physical activity, mental health, sleep quantity and quality, and anthropometric measures using clinical health questionnaires. Blood samples were collected from each participant following an 8 hour fast. Participants were instructed to wear a Fitbit provided by the investigator for seven days before the intervention began to assess sleep quantity and quality. At the last week of the trial, participants were given the Fitbit once more to assess sleep quality and quantity. Researchers also conducted the battery of assessments initially done at baseline and blood sample collection at the end of the trial. Blood samples were used to assess immune function following CBD supplementation compared to placebo.

A total of 28 participants were included in this analysis. Ten participants were lost during follow up. At baseline, the average across all groups was as follows:

  • BMI = 24.7 ±3.2 kg/m2
  • height = 170.4 ±9.7 cm
  • Weight = 72.1 ±12.5 kg
  • Body fat percentage = 20.4 ±8.9%
  • Lean body mass = 57.2 ±11.3 kg

Researchers found no significant effect in mental health scores and anthropometric measures following eight weeks of CBD supplementation. Regarding sleep, researchers saw no significant effect on the amount of time before falling to sleep (also referred to as “getting to sleep”). Researchers did observe a significant effect of wakefulness after sleep (P= 0.023) and overall quality of sleep (P= 0.002) in the CBD group. Researchers also saw an overall improvement in sleep evaluation scores [LSEQ scores] in the CBD group after eight weeks (P= 0.04). Data from the Fitbit or wrist actigraphy showed no significant improvement following eight weeks of CBD supplementation. Blood samples assessing immune function post CBD supplementation showed improved natural killer cell function among participants in the treatment group compared to placebo after eight weeks (P = 0.02).

Overall, this investigation showed that eight weeks supplementation with CBD significantly improved perceived quality of sleep compared to the control. Also, CBD supplementation for eight weeks significantly improved natural killer cell cytotoxicity. Additional studies will be needed to verify results found in this study.

Source: Kisiolek, Jacob N., Victoria A. Flores, Arjun Ramani, Blake Butler, James M. Haughian, and Laura K. Stewart. “Eight weeks of daily cannabidiol supplementation improves sleep quality and immune cell cytotoxicity.” Nutrients 15, no. 19 (2023): 4173.

© 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/
4.0/).

Click here to read the full text study.

Posted August 27, 2024.

Chrystal Moulton BA, PMP, is a 2008 graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago. She graduated with a bachelor’s in psychology with a focus on premedical studies and is a licensed project manager. She currently resides in Indianapolis, IN.

References:

  1. Khan R, Naveed S, Mian N, Fida A, Raafey MA, Aedma KK. The therapeutic role of Cannabidiol in mental health: a systematic review. J Cannabis Res. Jan 2 2020;2(1):2. doi:10.1186/s42238-019-0012-y
  2. Braile M, Marcella S, Marone G, Galdiero MR, Varricchi G, Loffredo S. The Interplay between the Immune and the Endocannabinoid Systems in Cancer. Cells. May 21 2021;10(6)doi:10.3390/cells10061282
  3. Mechoulam R, Peters M, Murillo-Rodriguez E, Hanus LO. Cannabidiol–recent advances. Chemistry & biodiversity. Aug 2007;4(8):1678-92. doi:10.1002/cbdv.200790147
  4. Shannon S, Opila-Lehman J. Effectiveness of Cannabidiol Oil for Pediatric Anxiety and Insomnia as Part of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Report. The Permanente journal. Fall 2016;20(4):16-005. doi:10.7812/tpp/16-005
  5. Chagas M, Eckeli A, Zuardi A, et al. Cannabidiol can improve complex sleep‐related behaviours associated with rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder in Parkinson’s disease patients: a case series. Journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics. 2014;39(5):564-566.
  6. Haustein M, Ramer R, Linnebacher M, Manda K, Hinz B. Cannabinoids increase lung cancer cell lysis by lymphokine-activated killer cells via upregulation of ICAM-1. Biochem Pharmacol. Nov 15 2014;92(2):312-25. doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2014.07.014
  7. Graham ES, Angel CE, Schwarcz LE, Dunbar PR, Glass M. Detailed characterisation of CB2 receptor protein expression in peripheral blood immune cells from healthy human volunteers using flow cytometry. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. Jan-Mar 2010;23(1):25-34. doi:10.1177/039463201002300103
  8. Castillo A, Tolón MR, Fernández-Ruiz J, Romero J, Martinez-Orgado J. The neuroprotective effect of cannabidiol in an in vitro model of newborn hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in mice is mediated by CB(2) and adenosine receptors. Neurobiol Dis. Feb 2010;37(2):434-40. doi:10.1016/j.nbd.2009.10.023
  9. Kisiolek JN, Flores VA, Ramani A, Butler B, Haughian JM, Stewart LK. Eight Weeks of Daily Cannabidiol Supplementation Improves Sleep Quality and Immune Cell Cytotoxicity. Nutrients. Sep 27 2023;15(19)doi:10.3390/nu15194173