With more people losing their sleep, more companies are turning their eyes to sleeping technology and a new generation of supplements and edibles to help people with sleeping problems.
According to the Sleep Foundation, 80 per cent of people taking supplements or prescription medications for sleeping experience residual effects such as feeling groggy, lack of concentration and oversleeping the next day.
Some of the most popular over-the-counter sleeping supplements include melatonin, valerian root, GABA, lavender products and CBD oil. However, most of these still lack evidence in clinical research testing their efficacy as a sleep aid.
In recent years, people have started to look at other cannabis-derived molecules –besides CBD– as sleeping aids as more wellness products are highlighting the “relaxing” and “sleep-inducing” properties of rare cannabinoids such as CBN and CBG.
There is not enough clinical evidence for melatonin helping with insomnia
The sleep-regulating hormone melatonin is one of the most popular supplements for sleeping and in recent years, medical professionals have seen increasing numbers of pediatric patients take over-the-counter melatonin as a sleeping aid.
According to an article published by the American Medical Association, Melatonin can have negative side effects if over used such as headache, fatigue, dizziness or daytime sleepiness or even more severe consequences such as increased blood pressure and heart rate.
Some experts say that, despite its popularity, melatonin needs more clinical research to prove its efficiency and may not be suitable for everyone. However, there is not enough evidence that melatonin helps with chronic insomnia and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends avoiding melatonin to treat it.
Melatonin sales in the U.S. for 2020 reached US$821 million, which is double that in 2017, when sales totalled US$339 million, according to a review by Statista.
CBN and CBG increasing their popularity as sleeping and relaxation supplements
Cannabinol or CBN has been gaining popularity for its non-psychoactive medical properties as some plant and rodent research has determined the cannabinoid to be antibacterial, neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory among other benefits. However, there is not enough research to prove its efficacy.
Cannabigerol or CBG has been the last rare cannabinoid that has attracted some eyes in the cannabis industry. Recent patient surveys on the use of CBG have shown people use the cannabinoid to deal with anxiety, chronic pain, depression and insomnia.
The scarce CBG research in mice has shown that it could be effective as a treatment supplement for inflammatory bowel diseases and in combating Huntington’s disease but further studies are needed.
Graph via Potential Clinical Uses of CBG, Rahul Nachnani, Wesley M. Raup-Konsavage and Kent E. Vrana, Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics February 1, 2021.
Read more: Sleep tech market to be ‘dominated’ by North American companies: DelveInsight report
Read more: Better sleep quality calls for better data: Yam and Goettling
Dynaleo releases Canada’s first Delta 8 and CBG soft chews
On Wednesday, Dynaleo Inc. announced the release of its soft chews under the Sunshower brand, which are among the first delta-8 and CBG products in Canada to be sold on the regulated market.
Its DynaThrive Pro Asian Pear CBG 1:1 soft chew will be available in Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia in September followed by Ontario in November.
The soft chews Sunshower Delta 8 Solar Punch will be available in packs of 10 with 10 milligrams of delta-8 and 1 milligram of THC per piece.
On Wednesday, Dynaleo Inc. announced the release of its soft chews under the Sunshower brand, which are among the first delta-8 and CBG products in Canada to be sold on the regulated market. Photo via Dynaleo
Other licensed producers in Canada such as Aphria which is owned by Tilray Brands, Inc. (Nasdaq: TLRY; TSX: TLRY) have released products with CBN such as its Solei Renew Moonlight vape which the company suggests to “turn the lights low and enjoy the Moonlight”
Last month, Aphria released its CBN Night oil which is supposed to help improve the duration and quality of sleep. The 50-milligram bottle contains 30 milligrams of CBN and 10 milligrams of THC per millilitre and is composed of a broad-spectrum cannabis distillate.
Peace Naturals Project Inc. which is owned by Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON) released its Spinach FEELZ Blackberry Kush CBN (Deep Dreamz) containing a blend of THC and CBN.
Toronto-based MediPharm Labs Corp. (TSX: LABS) (OTCQX: MEDIF) (FSE: MLZ) sells The White x Appalachia hybrid which is a high-CBG, high-CBD hybrid vape cartridge.
Read more: Dynaleo releases high-CBN gummies to be used as sleep aid
Read more: Curaleaf expands CBD edibles portfolio aimed for relaxation and sleeping
Some American companies, such as Wana Optimals by Wana Brands have released gummies said to make a person fall asleep quickly and include a combination of cannabinoids and melatonin.
The Wana Optimals Fast Asleep gummies were released in September last year and contain CBD, CBN, CBG, THC and melatonin.
The Denver-based cannabis producer Charlotte’s Web Holdings, Inc. (TSX: CWEB) (OTCQX: CWBHF) released Charlotte’s WebCalm and Sleep Sprays with CBG and CBN aimed to support a healthy sleep cycle.
Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. (CSE: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF) has released a product line of edibles and topical gels targeting the health and wellness market. This July, the company released its Plant Precision product line which will include gummy edibles with customizable doses of THC and other cannabinoids such as CBD, CBG, CBN and THCV. The edibles are aimed to suit different parts of the day including “winding down”, “sleeping” or “starting the day with a buzz”.
Read more: 3 wearable devices that help with sleep and relaxation
Read more: Five-month Hapbee study shows products enhance sleep and recovery
Read more: Sleep tech market to be ‘dominated’ by North American companies: DelveInsight report
Sleep aid technology and wearables gaining popularity
While supplements and pharmaceuticals are the most popular options to deal with sleeping issues, other companies are tackling the issue using wearables and technology via micro-vibrations.
According to a market study by the research firm DelveInsight, the sleep device market is estimated to reach a 15.67 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during 2022-2027.
Companies such as Montreal-based Hapbee Technologies, Inc. (TSXV: HAPB) (OTCQB: HAPBF) (FSE: HA1) launched a neckband that uses its patented ultra-low radio frequency energy (ulRFE) “biostreaming” platform that delivers low-power electromagnetic signals that helps with sleep as well as productivity, recovery and relaxing at downtime.
Other wearables include Happy Ring by Happy Health which intends to improve sleep and accurately measure an individual’s stress levels and mood all day. The ring will be exclusively available in the United States and has received US$60 million in funding for the debut of the new product from ARCH Venture Partners, an investor with offices in the U.S. and Dublin, Ireland.
Pittsburgh-based startup Apollo Neuroscience Inc. created a wearable –worn on the wrist or ankle– said to improve the body’s resilience and response to stress. The aim of the wearable is to make a person sleep, relax, focus, recover and generally, feel better.
