CBD Oracle analyzed 91 CBD oils marketed for sleep—and after third-party lab testing, expert input, and hands-on consumer testing, only four made our final list:
- Best Overall: Cornbread Hemp Whole Flower CBD Oil
- Most Potent: R&R Multifunctional CBD Tincture
- Best Herbal Blend: Aspen Green Rest CBD Oil
- Best THC-Free: Medterra Broad Spectrum CBD Oil
These top picks stood out for their quality, safety, and ability to actually help with sleep. Below, you’ll find more about the CBD oils we recommend, plus how we tested and what to look for if you’re shopping on your own.
How we picked
Terpenes
CBD works best for sleep when paired with calming terpenes like myrcene, linalool, beta-caryophyllene, and terpinolene. These compounds enhance the oil’s relaxing effects.
CBD type
Unless you’re avoiding THC, full-spectrum products tend to work better for sleep. THC is more sedating than CBD alone, and a 1:1 CBD:THC ratio often delivers the best results. THC-free oils may still help but usually require higher doses and strong terpene support.
Ingredients
Ingredients like melatonin or magnesium can support sleep, but mixing them with CBD and THC makes it hard to know what’s actually working. It’s better to isolate your variables and try one approach at a time.
Score-based evaluation
Products were scored using our framework across safety, efficacy, and trust. Only oils that scored 90%+ were considered top picks.
Cornbread Hemp Whole Flower USDA Organic CBD Oil
- CBD type: Full-spectrum
- Potency: 50mg CBD, 2mg THC per serving
- CBD:THC ratio: 25:1
- Terpenes: Beta-caryophyllene, humulene, linalool
- Price: $74.99 ($0.05/mg)
Made from organic, U.S.-grown hemp flowers, this oil is rich in cannabinoids and naturally flavorful thanks to its terpene content.
Cornbread sources its hemp from Kentucky’s Bluegrass Basin—an area with 250 years of hemp farming history and similar latitude to the Hindu Kush Mountains.
Founders Eric and Jim are Kentucky natives who use only the cannabinoid-rich flowers, not stems or leaves.
Cornbread’s Whole Flower oil is a great pick for sleep thanks to its full-spectrum formula with up to 2 mg THC per serving, calming terpenes like linalool and beta-caryophyllene, and an effective dose of CBD.
It’s also USDA Organic certified and produced in a GMP-certified, allergen-free facility—free of the top eight allergens.
Eloise Theisen, MSN, NP—a board-certified adult geriatric nurse practitioner with over 20 years of experience and a cannabis therapy specialist who’s treated more than 7,500 patients—ranked this her second-favorite oil in our testing:
“Personally, I slept the best with this tincture. The only reason I didn’t rate it as my absolute favorite was the taste. Since there are no additives in this tincture, it’s just straight hemp, which gives it a strong earthy smell and taste that can be a bit hard to swallow (pun intended!). With this tincture, I noticed that I didn’t wake up as much during the night, and I didn’t feel groggy in the morning, even when I took a full 1ml dose. It gave me a nice drowsy effect with onset that I found quite pleasant. The COA showed a 25:1 CBD to THC ratio and a good terpene profile, with humulene, beta-caryophyllene, and linalool as the top three. I suspect that this one worked best for sleep and anxiety because of the terpene profile which has been shown to also aid in anxiety.”
CBD Oracle’s independent lab test confirmed Cornbread’s COA is largely accurate:
- The Good: CBD, CBDV, CBN, and delta-9 THC were close to advertised values. The product lives up to its full-spectrum claims.
- The Bad: CBC was over 60% lower, and CBG over 60% higher than the company’s COA—but both made up just ~0.1% of the oil. Since Cornbread Hemp doesn’t advertise specific levels of these minor cannabinoids, there’s no major issue here.
Cornbread Hemp’s COA, issued by accredited Cannabusiness Laboratories, is legitimate and verified. No red flags.
- Best for getting to sleep and staying asleep
- USDA organic hemp (and allergy-friendly)
- True full spectrum – has enough THC to help sleep
- Contains calming terpenes like linalool
- Lab-tested for potency and contaminants, with transparent results
- Sourced from Kentucky's Bluegrass Basin
- Made only from hemp flower — no stems, stalk, leaves, and seeds
- A little expensive per mg ($0.05/mg)
- No flavored options
- Strong earthy taste
- Not ideal for daytime use due to THC content
R&R Multifunctional CBD Tincture
- CBD type: Full-spectrum
- Potency: 166mg CBD, 1.5mg THC per serving
- CBD:THC ratio: 111:1
- Terpenes: Menthol, bisabolol, guaiol
- Price: $130 ($0.02/mg)
Founded by a veteran who personally found relief through CBD, R&R is known for its commitment to quality.
Their Multifunctional Tinctures live up to the name—made with organically grown hemp and extracted using supercritical CO₂ for a clean, potent result rich in cannabinoids and terpenes.
Each ml delivers 167 mg of CBD, 1.5 mg of delta-9 THC, and a range of other cannabinoids (CBC, CBL, CBDV, CBN, CBG, CBDa, and CBT).
Key terpenes like d-limonene, beta-caryophyllene, alpha-bisabolol, and alpha-humulene enhance the sleep and stress-relief effects. Plus, it’s available in both Fresh Mint and natural terpene flavors.
Eloise Theisen, MSN, NP—who has guided over 7,500 patients in cannabis care—ranked R&R as her top overall pick:
“I found that I fell asleep more quickly, experienced deeper sleep, and was able to fall back asleep more easily if I woke up in the middle of the night. I still woke up during the night, but didn’t need to lay awake for hours hoping to fall back asleep. I started with a 0.5ml dose, which helped me sleep well. Then I increased it to a full 1ml dose. While I still slept quite well, I did feel a bit slower and groggier the next morning at the 1ml dose. There did not seem to be much benefit at the higher dose; only side effects. The flavor was pretty neutral. It had a mild minty taste and a mild hemp smell. I prefer this for my tinctures as hemp can have a strong taste and odor which can make it hard to keep in the mouth for 15-30 seconds. The certificate of analysis (COA) showed a 49:1 CBD to THC ratio with a good amount of terpenes, the top three being menthol, bisabolol, and guaiol. Overall, this combination worked well for me and provided me with some solid sleep.”
Eloise noted a minor drawback with the dropper:
“One minor annoyance was that I found it difficult to get a full 1ml amount into the dropper when I squeezed it. Most of the time, I ended up with somewhere between 0.75ml and 1ml.”
Eloise also tested the R&R broad-spectrum (THC-free) oil, ranking it as one of the best options for people who need help with sleep but want to avoid THC:
“I tried the 1ml dose of this tincture for several nights, but I didn’t notice much of a difference in my sleep quality. It did help me fall asleep a little quicker, but I still woke up during the night and had trouble falling back asleep. I suspect that the lack of THC in this tincture is why I did not sleep as well as I did with the full spectrum tinctures.”
CBD Oracle’s independent lab results mostly matched the SC Labs COA provided by R&R, with one technical disagreement.
- The Good: CBD was within 10% of label claims on both COAs, and other cannabinoids like CBC, CBG, CBN, and CBDa were consistent across tests—well within acceptable margins.
- The Bad: The lab we used (InfiniteCAL) reported ~0.07% delta-9 THC, while SC Labs reported 0.14%. The discrepancy stems from a testing challenge: HU-331 (a CBD oxidation byproduct) can “co-elute” with THC, making it difficult to separate the signals. InfiniteCAL disputed SC Labs’ higher number, but acknowledged overlap.
R&R shared their input extract COAs, which support SC Labs’ numbers. After discussion, both labs agreed the peak likely reflects a mix of THC and HU-331. Importantly, HU-331 is not a safety concern—it may even offer therapeutic value—and the total quantity involved is very small.
- Ranked second-best for getting to sleep and staying asleep by our tester, and top overall
- A THC-free version is also available
- Excellent price per mg (2.6 cents/mg CBD)
- Potent oil – 167 mg CBD per ml
- Two sleep-boosting terpenes
- Some uncertainty regarding THC content
- Morning grogginess with 1 ml dose
- Mild flavor – some mint, some hemp taste
- Not flower-only derived
Aspen Green Rest Organic Full Spectrum CBD Oil
- CBD type: Full-spectrum
- Potency: 133mg CBD, 2.5mg THC per serving
- CBD:THC ratio: 53:1
- Terpenes: Beta-caryophyllene, bisabolol, and humulene
- Herbal blend: Skullcap, lemon balm, chamomile, valerian root, rosemary
- Price: $149.99 ($0.03/mg)
Aspen Green’s Rest formula is made with USDA Organic hemp grown in Colorado—one of the best regions for hemp cultivation.
The company works with Dr. Adam Perlman, former Director of Integrative Health and Wellbeing at the Mayo Clinic, to create this physician-formulated sleep tincture. Aspen Green is a family-operated business with a clear passion for what they do.
This full-spectrum oil is CO2-extracted from single-strain hemp flower, rich in cannabinoids like CBD, delta-9 THC, CBC, CBN, CBDV, and CBG.
It also includes sleep-friendly terpenes such as alpha-bisabolol, alpha-humulene, beta-caryophyllene, and d-limonene.
The synergy between CBD, THC, CBN, and d-limonene makes this a powerful choice for improving sleep quality.
Eloise Theisen, MSN, NP—a cannabis therapy expert who’s treated over 7,500 patients—ranked this her third favorite:
“I experimented with several different doses of this tincture, trying to find the sweet spot where I could get a good night’s sleep without feeling groggy the next day. At 0.25ml, I didn’t notice any difference in my sleep quality, and I didn’t experience any negative effects either. The 0.5ml dose helped me fall asleep a bit faster, and I did sleep a little better, but it didn’t prevent me from waking up in the middle of the night, and it didn’t help me fall back asleep when I did. For me, the 1ml dose was too strong. I slept great, but I felt really groggy and dull the next morning.”
Eloise also noted a few practical details:
“I also found the dropper a bit difficult to use; it was hard to get the oil up to the 1ml mark. The taste was okay. It is hard to completely eliminate the hemp taste and I appreciate that the taste was mostly unremarkable. The bottle label mentions a berry flavor, but I didn’t really notice a strong berry taste, and the hemp smell or flavor wasn’t very strong either.”
Finally, she made a comment about the product’s terpene profile:
“The COA showed a 53:1 CBD to THC ratio with terpenes high in beta-caryophyllene, bisabolol, and humulene. The terpene profile is good for sleep and anxiety and I think for some people, this tincture could be great for sleep. It was a bit like Goldilocks for me, I could not get the dose just right.”
CBD Oracle’s third-party lab results closely matched the COA provided by Aspen Green:
- The Good: CBD, THC, CBC, CBN, CBG, and CBDa levels were all consistent between both COAs. CBD and delta-9 THC were within 5% of the advertised amounts.
- The Bad: CBDV was 30% higher in our test (1.2 mg/g vs. 0.9 mg/g), but this only translates to a 0.3 mg difference—insignificant in the real-world dosage.
Aspen Green’s COA was issued by an accredited lab (SC Labs), independently verified by QR code, and is easy to access online. No concerns here.
- High potency – 133 mg/ml or 4,000 mg per bottle
- Half a dropper (0.5 ml) helped with falling asleep without morning grogginess
- Full spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes
- Two sleep-boosting terpenes – d-limonene and beta-caryophyllene
- Contains skullcap, valerian root extract and chamomile extract – these could help but health professionals recommend sticking to one thing at a time
- Some morning grogginess with 1 ml dose
- Good price per mg ($0.03/mg CBD) but the whole bottle is expensive
- The berry flavor doesn’t come through strongly (but does mask the hemp)
Medterra Enhanced Relief Broad Spectrum CBD Oil
- CBD type: Broad-spectrum (THC-free)
- Potency: 33mg CBD, 0mg THC per serving
- Terpenes: Limonene, pinene, terpinene, myrcene
- Price: $64.99 ($0.06/mg)
If you’re looking for a sleep-supporting CBD oil without THC, Medterra’s Enhanced Relief tincture is one of the best THC-free options on the market.
Each serving delivers 33 mg of CBD along with minor cannabinoids like CBC, CBDV, CBG, and CBN, plus sleep-friendly terpenes such as limonene, beta-myrcene, and terpinolene.
It’s about as close as you can get to a full-spectrum sleep effect—without the THC.
The hemp is U.S.-grown and certified by the U.S. Hemp Authority. While not USDA Organic, the oil is made from organic, non-GMO, vegan ingredients and produced in an FDA-registered, GMP-certified facility. Medterra oversees the full process from seed to sale.
Eloise Theisen, MSN, NP—our experienced cannabis nurse practitioner—ranked this oil the lowest among those she tested, citing some benefits but drawbacks in flavor:
“I found that this tincture also helped me fall asleep relatively quickly, but it didn’t help me stay asleep as well as the full spectrum CBD tinctures. Again, it is likely that the THC plays a significant role in staying asleep. Personally, I found the citrus taste unpleasant, and it didn’t do a great job of masking the hemp taste or smell. The residual aftertaste was hard to get rid of and I felt like I had swallowed a cleaning product. Definitely not a good taste to me.”
After reviewing the lab results for this product, she noted:
“The COA showed high terpene levels for limonene, pinene, terpinene, and myrcene. The terpene profile is good for sleep and anxiety and may be helpful for those who cannot or do not want to consume THC.”
Eloise also shared a general observation about full vs. broad spectrum:
“Personally, I noticed that the full spectrum tinctures were far superior when it came to helping me fall asleep, stay asleep, and get back to sleep more quickly if I happened to wake up during the night. On the downside, I did experience some grogginess the next day when I used the higher doses. I suspect that the small amounts of THC in the full spectrum products improved the quality of my sleep. I also suspect that it was the higher amounts of THC that made me feel groggy the next day.”
Since both Medterra and CBD Oracle used InfiniteCAL for lab testing, the results align closely:
- The Good: CBC, CBD, CBDV, and CBN levels were within 5% of each other across both COAs. Even CBC, with a 14% variation, only differed by 0.2 mg/g—a minor amount.
- The Bad: CBG was not detected in our test but was present at 1.5 mg/g in Medterra’s. This likely reflects natural variation between batches rather than a quality concern.
The COA from Medterra is from an accredited lab, features a scannable QR code, and confirms the product’s cannabinoid content with no red flags.
- Three sleep-boosting terpenes
- Helped with falling asleep during testing
- Organic, non-GMO and vegan friendly
- Lab confirmed THC-free
- Advertises 2,000 mg option, but this is just two bottles of 1,000 mg
- Most expensive per mg ($0.06/mg CBD)
- Weaker than other options (33 mg CBD/ml)
- The citrus flavor is unpleasant and doesn’t mask the hemp taste well
Other CBD Oils We Considered
We started with 91 full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD oils for this roundup, but most didn’t make the final cut.
To quickly filter out lower-quality options, we used a few key criteria:
- No lab report: Without it, we can’t confirm the product contains what it claims.
- Unaccredited lab: Only results from ISO-accredited labs are considered reliable.
- No working QR code: If the COA can’t be independently verified, it’s not trustworthy.
- Outdated COA: Reports over 12 months old likely don’t reflect the current batch.
- Missing safety tests: Potency isn’t enough—we also require contaminant testing.
- Detected contaminants: Any failure in safety testing is an automatic disqualifier.
- Not truly full/broad spectrum: We required proof of at least four cannabinoids and detectable terpenes. If terpenes weren’t tested, we couldn’t confirm the spectrum.
The most common disqualifier? Missing terpene tests. Many otherwise strong products didn’t test for terpenes, making it impossible to verify if they were genuinely full or broad spectrum. Notable brands like 3Chi and Neurogan fell into this category—likely high-quality products, but without the necessary data, they couldn’t be included.
Other brands passed our quality checks but didn’t score high enough on our evaluation framework (below 90%):
*Medterra nearly made the gold standard with high scores on both their full-spectrum (89.8%) and broad-spectrum (86.7%) tinctures, which is why they’re included in the list.
One final standout was Carmen’s Medicinals—their full-spectrum oil scored 91.3% based on publicly available data. However, they didn’t respond to our requests for sourcing details or product samples, so we couldn’t include them in the final list.
You can view the full scoring breakdown, disqualifications, and evaluation process in our Google Sheet.
Methodology: How We Evaluated and Reviewed
We didn’t just pick these oils off a shelf. Our review process combined expert insight, market research, independent lab testing, and real-world user experience:
- Expert Insights: We interviewed leading cannabis doctors and scientists to understand what actually makes a CBD oil effective for sleep—and what to avoid. Their input shaped our product selection and evaluation criteria.
- Market Analysis: We analyzed the first 20 pages of Google results for sleep-focused CBD oils and compiled a list of 91 products. Each was scored using our expert-backed hemp product evaluation framework, which includes 55 metrics covering safety, quality, and effectiveness.
- Independent Lab Testing: We sent the top-scoring products to InfiniteCAL for third-party testing. This allowed us to verify the accuracy of brand-reported COAs and catch any discrepancies—adding an extra layer of trust and transparency.
- First-Hand User Testing: Finally, the highest-rated oils were tested by board-certified cannabis nurse Eloise Theisen, MSN, NP, for four nights each. Other members of the CBD Oracle team also tested products for at least two nights. This step ensured that products with great lab results also deliver in real-life use.
Our Tester’s Experience With CBD Oils for Sleep
Overall, I found the CBD tinctures to be helpful for my sleep and anxiety, though some definitely worked better for me than others. Even though the purpose was to try the tinctures for sleep, which has been erratic with my menopause, I noticed I was less anxious. Not only did I appreciate sleeping better, I also enjoyed feeling calmer and less anxious.
Personally, I noticed that the full spectrum tinctures [with THC] were far superior when it came to helping me fall asleep, stay asleep, and get back to sleep more quickly if I happened to wake up during the night. On the downside, I did experience some grogginess the next day when I used the higher doses. I suspect that the small amounts of THC in the full spectrum products improved the quality of my sleep. I also suspect that it was the higher amounts of THC that made me feel groggy the next day.
Over a period of four nights, I experimented with all of the tinctures at various doses to see how they affected me. Given that I’ve been struggling with sleep issues due to menopause for the past few years, I was really happy to find some improvement in my sleep, and I was honestly surprised at how well some of the tinctures worked! I can definitely see myself adding CBD to my nightly routine now.
How We Rated the Best CBD Oil for Sleep
At the heart of our rankings is a 55-point hemp product evaluation framework, developed with input from 22 experts across cannabinoid research, medicine, law, analytical chemistry, and two government organizations. It provides a clear, objective way to evaluate how well a product meets current industry and consumer standards.
The framework evaluates seven key areas:
- Plant Origin & Cultivation: Top marks go to single-origin, single-strain hemp grown in ideal U.S. climates (like CO, CA, OR, WA), under natural sunlight, and using organic methods.
- Extraction Method: We prioritize CO₂-extracted oils made from hemp flower, rich in cannabinoids and terpenes (for full/broad spectrum) or highly purified (for isolates), with no converted cannabinoids.
- Third-Party Testing: Oils must have recent, batch-specific full-panel tests from accredited labs, showing accurate potency and no contamination. COAs should be public and easy to verify.
- Quality Control: Products earn extra points for certifications (e.g., USDA Organic, GMP) and documentation tracing hemp from seed to sale.
- Ingredients: We favored clean formulations—no synthetic cannabinoids, unregulated supplements, or risky additives like MCT oil or vitamin E acetate.
- Packaging & Labeling: Labels must include dosing info, ingredients, batch details, expiration dates, and ideally be child-resistant.
- Marketing, Transparency & Reputation: We awarded points for ethical marketing, transparent leadership, accessible reviews (both good and bad), and responsive customer service.
We initially analyzed 91 CBD oils marketed for sleep, using expert input and core framework criteria to filter out products that didn’t qualify. Disqualifiers included:
- No recent or verifiable COA
- Failed contaminant tests
- Fewer than four cannabinoids
- Missing terpene analysis
This left 14 qualifying products, which were scored across all 55 metrics. Each criterion is weighted based on its importance and impact on:
- Safety (50%)
- Efficacy (30%)
- Trust (20%)
For example, a high-priority safety criterion carries a maximum of 3 points (6 base × 50% weight).
While most data could be verified through brand websites, we also contacted companies directly to confirm anything unclear—such as sourcing details or missing documentation.
Want to dive deeper into the data? You can explore our full scoring process and product breakdown in our Google Sheet.
Expert Advice: How to Choose the Best CBD Oil for Sleep
Can CBD Effectively Help You Sleep?
The research on CBD and sleep is still evolving—and it’s a bit of a mixed bag.
We spoke with Dr. Jen Walsh, director of the Centre for Sleep Science at the University of Western Australia, who led a recent clinical trial on a combination of THC, CBD, and CBN for sleep issues. While her study showed promising results, she made it clear that it doesn’t isolate the effects of each compound:
However, from a recent review of the literature (we’ve just submitted it for publication) it appears that CBD alone is ineffective for improving sleep in those with a primary complaint of poor sleep or insomnia.
In other words, CBD on its own may not be effective if your main issue is insomnia without an underlying cause like anxiety. But when anxiety is contributing to sleep problems, CBD may help by reducing stress and calming the mind—making it easier to fall asleep.
Full-spectrum products, which contain both CBD and THC, tend to be more effective for primary sleep issues because the scientific evidence for THC’s sedative effects is stronger. As for CBN, while it’s often marketed as a sleep aid, there’s limited research supporting its use—most findings come from combination treatments like Dr. Walsh’s study.
Pros and Cons of Taking CBD for Sleep
Pros:
- Reduces stress and anxiety: If your insomnia is tied to anxiety or stress, CBD can be a great option—especially when paired with a small amount of THC to further support relaxation and sleep onset.
- Minimal side effects: Compared to prescription sleep aids, CBD generally has fewer and milder side effects. The most commonly reported are digestive issues (like diarrhea) and changes in appetite or weight.
- Full-spectrum works better for sleep: Products that combine CBD with THC and calming terpenes (like linalool or myrcene) are more likely to deliver meaningful sleep improvements.
Cons:
- CBD alone may require high doses: When taken without THC, CBD often needs to be consumed in larger amounts to have an effect—and even then, results vary widely between individuals.
- Full-spectrum isn’t for everyone: If you’re sensitive to THC or subject to workplace drug testing, full-spectrum oils might not be suitable.
- Cost can be high without THC: THC-free (broad spectrum or isolate) products often require higher doses to be effective for sleep, which can drive up the cost over time.
How to Use CBD for Sleep
Dosage
Eloise Theisen, AGPCNP-BC and CEO of Radicle Health, recommends starting low and adjusting gradually:
“In most cases, a 25 mg CBD dose is a safe place to start. If that dose is not effective after a few nights, increasing by 5–10 mg increments every few nights is recommended until the optimal dose is reached. In some cases, doses as high as 300 mg have been necessary to help with sleep.”
When to Take It
Take your CBD dose 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime to allow it time to kick in.
How to Take It
According to Theisen, alcohol- or glycerin-based tinctures taken under the tongue are absorbed fastest, but most CBD tinctures are oil-based and act more like edibles:
“If someone is having a hard time staying asleep, a capsule or gummy may be more effective at keeping them asleep.”
How Long It Takes to Work
Most CBD tinctures take 30 to 60 minutes to have an effect—sometimes longer depending on your metabolism and the formulation. Don’t expect immediate results.
How Often to Use It
For sleep, daily use before bed is ideal—unless you’re using CBD for other reasons during the day.
Can You Mix It With Other Supplements or Meds?
It’s best to avoid combining CBD with other supplements unless medically necessary. As international cannabis physician Dr. Abraham Benavides explained to us:
When you venture into the world of combining cannabinoids with nutraceuticals—it becomes more difficult for us to keep track of what is actually working for you, and you tend to lose control over the dosing. If you keep the products separate, you can try one thing at a time to see if it works for you and at what doses.
How to Choose a CBD Oil for Sleep
When it comes to choosing the most effective CBD oil for sleep, full-spectrum is almost always the best option.
As Dr. Abraham Benavides, international cannabis consultant and physician, explained to us:
Cumulative data suggest that full-spectrum profiles are superior to broad-spectrum and isolate formulations. The more true-to-the-plant the extract is, the more whole-plant components it contains that synergize with each other […] I most commonly recommend 1:1 THC:CBD FECO (full-spectrum extract cannabis oil) for sleep.
With that in mind, here are the key things to look for:
Full-spectrum is ideal; broad-spectrum if necessary: Full-spectrum oils contain THC, which significantly boosts their sleep-support potential. If THC isn’t an option (due to sensitivity or drug testing), broad-spectrum oils with sleep-promoting terpenes are your next best bet.
Look for sleep-friendly terpenes: Terpenes like linalool, myrcene, and terpinolene have natural sedative properties. Myrcene is the most common, but any of these on a product’s COA is a good sign for sleep support.
Aim for a 1:1 CBD:THC ratio: A 1:1 balance of CBD and THC is often most effective for sleep. While this ratio is more common in dispensary-grade cannabis products than in hemp-based CBD oils, higher THC levels generally improve effectiveness for sleep when available.
Always check the COA (Certificate of Analysis): Don’t rely on marketing claims. Make sure the product is tested by an accredited lab, and that the COA confirms cannabinoid content, terpenes, and the absence of contaminants. If you can’t see it on the COA, assume it’s not there.
Check reviews and independent rankings: Resources like this guide can help you identify trusted, lab-tested products that actually work—before you spend your money.
What to Avoid When Buying CBD for Sleep
Not all CBD sleep products are created equal. Based on expert advice, here are the top things to avoid:
CBD Isolate Products: CBD on its own is unlikely to be effective for insomnia. At minimum, you want sleep-supportive terpenes—and ideally, a small amount of THC. Isolate products lack both.
CBD Mixed with Supplements or Nutraceuticals: As Dr. Abraham Benavides noted earlier, combining cannabinoids with other supplements (like melatonin or magnesium) makes it harder to identify what’s actually working and complicates proper dosing.
CBN-Focused Products: While CBN is often marketed as a natural sleep aid, there’s little scientific backing for this claim. Cannabis researcher Dr. Ethan Russo, founder and CEO of CReDO Science, told us:
“Despite popular misconception and its inclusion in almost every company’s sleep formulation, there is no substantiation for the efficacy of CBN in sleep. This was thoroughly debunked by Corroon.”
If CBN is the main selling point, the product is likely relying more on hype than on proven results.
Safety and Side Effects
Who shouldn’t use CBD products? CBD is generally safe for most adults, but there are some important exceptions. You should avoid CBD if:
- You’re pregnant or breastfeeding
- You are regularly drug tested, especially if using full-spectrum products (even small amounts of THC can trigger a failed test)
- You have liver issues
- You take medications that may interact with CBD, including: Warfarin (blood thinner), Amiodarone (heart rhythm medication), Levothyroxine (thyroid medication), and Seizure medications like clobazam, lamotrigine, or valproate
Always consult a healthcare provider before adding CBD to your routine if you fall into any of these categories.
Common Side Effects:
CBD’s side effects are generally mild and manageable. According to clinical reviews and user surveys, the most commonly reported side effects include:
- Tiredness (a benefit if you’re using it for sleep)
- Diarrhea
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Impaired concentration
There has been one reported case of liver damage in studies of Epidiolex (a prescription CBD medication), but it’s rare and the review authors noted it wasn’t clearly linked to CBD. Still, it’s a good reason to exercise caution—especially if you have liver concerns or take medications processed by the liver.
Meet Our Experts
For this article, we consulted the following experts to gain their professional insights on CBD, cannabinoids, and sleep:
- Eloise Theisen, AGPCNP-BC, board-certified adult geriatric nurse practitioner and cannabis therapy specialist who has treated over 7,500 patients. She is the former president of the American Cannabis Nurses Association and CEO of Radicle Health.
- Dr. Jen Walsh, director of the Centre for Sleep Science at the University of Western Australia, who led a clinical trial studying the effects of THC, CBD, and CBN on sleep quality.
- Dr. Abraham Benavides, international cannabis consultant and physician, with expertise in cannabinoid science and its interaction with nutraceuticals and medications.
- Dr. Ethan Russo, neurologist and founder/CEO of CReDO Science, widely regarded as one of the foremost researchers in cannabis medicine and author of several foundational studies on cannabinoids and terpenes.
- Dr. Eric Zhou — Sleep medicine specialist at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital, with a focus on behavioral sleep strategies and evidence-based interventions.
- Karl Andersson — Founder of Nordic Perspective and wellness researcher with a focus on product testing, consumer education, and transparency in the hemp and CBD space.
- Dr. Chris Winter — Neurologist, sleep specialist, and author of The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child. Known for translating sleep science into practical tools for better rest.
- Dr. Bonni Goldstein — Physician and medical director of Canna-Centers Wellness & Education. A leading clinician in cannabis-based medicine and author of Cannabis Is Medicine.
- Sherri Mack, BSN-RN — Chief Nursing Officer at Holistic Caring with extensive experience educating patients and healthcare professionals on cannabinoid therapies.
Why Trust CBD Oracle’s Reviews
At CBD Oracle, we take product testing seriously. Our editorial team combines first-hand testing, expert interviews, and independent lab analysis to ensure our recommendations are based on data—not hype.
For this guide, we:
- Evaluated 91 CBD oils marketed for sleep
- Built a 55-point scoring framework with input from 22 experts in cannabis, medicine, law, and chemistry
- Sent top products for third-party lab testing with InfiniteCAL to verify cannabinoid content and check for contaminants
- Interviewed 9 leading experts, including cannabis physicians, sleep scientists, and nurses
- Conducted first-hand testing with Eloise Theisen, AGPCNP-BC, and the CBD Oracle team over multiple nights
We don’t accept payment for placement, and we follow strict editorial standards to maintain transparency and consumer trust. You can read more about our scoring framework and testing process in the methodology here.
References
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- Corroon, J. (2021). Cannabinol and sleep: Separating fact from fiction. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2021.0006
- Iffland, K., & Grotenhermen, F. (2017). An update on safety and side effects of cannabidiol: A review of clinical data and relevant animal studies. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 2(1), 139–154. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2016.0034
- Itin, C., Domb, A. J., & Hoffman, A. (2019). A meta-opinion: Cannabinoids delivered to oral mucosa by a spray for systemic absorption are rather ingested into gastro-intestinal tract: The influences of fed / fasting states. Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery, 16(10), 1031–1035. https://doi.org/10.1080/17425247.2019.1653852
- Kogan, N. M., Schlesinger, M., Peters, M., Marincheva, G., Beeri, R., & Mechoulam, R. (2007). A cannabinoid anticancer quinone, HU-331, is more potent and less cardiotoxic than doxorubicin: A comparative in vivo study. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 322(2), 646–653. https://doi.org/10.1124/jpet.107.120865
- Kuhathasan, N., Minuzzi, L., MacKillop, J., & Frey, B. N. (2022). An investigation of cannabis use for insomnia in depression and anxiety in a naturalistic sample. BMC Psychiatry, 22, Article 303. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12888-022-03948-6
- Millar, S. A., Stone, N. L., Yates, A. S., & O’Sullivan, S. E. (2018). A systematic review on the pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol in humans. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2018.01365
- Spindle, T. R., Cone, E. J., Goffi, E., Weerts, E. M., Mitchell, J. M., Winecker, R. E., Bigelow, G. E., Flegel, R. R., & Vandrey, R. (2020). Pharmacodynamic effects of vaporized and oral cannabidiol (CBD) and vaporized CBD-dominant cannabis in infrequent cannabis users. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 211, 107937. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.107937
- Walsh, J. H., Maddison, K. J., Rankin, T., Murray, K., McArdle, N., Ree, M. J., Hillman, D. R., & Eastwood, P. R. (2021). Treating insomnia symptoms with medicinal cannabis: A randomized, crossover trial of the efficacy of a cannabinoid medicine compared with placebo. Sleep. https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsab149