Whether your issue is falling asleep or staying asleep, it can take as much of a physical toll on you the next day as it does mentally. You’re underrecovered, exhausted, and frustrated. But it doesn’t have to be this way every night - you can try natural sleep aids, like melatonin or CBD.
Each of these works to support a better night’s rest, but in very different ways. CBD can help calm a racing mind or ease physical tension that keeps you up at night. Melatonin plays a more direct role. It regulates your internal clock, signaling when you should feel tired.
We’ll compare and contrast CBD vs melatonin for sleep to help you understand which best suits your needs. You might even find that the answer is both of these together. But, there’s actually a better option in store for you here at Tabs.
Our Sleep Tabs combine the optimal melatonin dose with proven calming compounds such as L-theanine, kanna, saffron, valerian root, and California poppy. These work in synergy to melt away mental and physical tension and leave you ready for a good night’s rest. Try Tabs today!
How Does CBD Help You Sleep Better?
CBD is the non-psychoactive compound found in hemp and marijuana, and it has long been associated with a variety of therapeutic uses - from managing aches and pains to easing anxiety. So how does it support a better night’s sleep?
It interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a network of receptors located throughout the body and brain. CBD enters your system and works with this system to create a better sense of balance.
The reality is, most people who struggle with sleep aren’t actually “insomniacs.” They’re just overstimulated, anxious, or dealing with low-level discomfort that keeps them on edge. This is where CBD comes in to help.
It can ease the tension that delays sleep by promoting a calmer state of mind, relaxing your muscles, and reducing background noise from stress. It certainly won’t knock you out cold, just as it won’t get you high (that’s THC you’re thinking of). Instead, it just sets the stage for sleep.
This is to say it’s not a quick-fix sleep aid. It often takes time to build up in your system, and results can vary depending on the product, dose, and your own body chemistry.
While some swear by it, others feel nothing at all. It can be a bit hit or miss. Consistency is an issue since the cannabis market as a whole is in a regulatory grey area.
How Does Melatonin Help You Sleep Better?
Melatonin is a hormone your brain naturally produces in response to darkness. But, it’s also one of the most popular supplements on the market for managing sleep troubles.
This hormone basically tells your body and mind when it’s time to wind down. Melatonin levels rise in the evening, stay elevated through the night, and drop off in the morning. At least, that’s how it should be when everything is working right. As you might already know, that’s not always the case.
Jet lag, shift work, or delayed sleep phase are all common scenarios where your internal clock (or circadian rhythm) can fall out of sync. This is where taking a melatonin supplement makes sense. You’re nudging your body back in the right direction, reminding it when bedtime is.
The key is timing and dosage. A small amount (think 0.3 to 1mg, not 5mg+) taken 30-90 minutes before bed is usually enough to help reset the clock without making you groggy the next day.
The problem is, very few people use melatonin correctly. They overdo it or fall back on this supplement as a crutch. Then they wonder why they wake up feeling so groggy, or why they have to take more and more to get the same effect.
Another thing: melatonin does not relax your mind or body. So, melatonin alone probably won’t help improve your sleep quality (or quantity) if your issues can be traced back to stress, anxiety, or physical ailments.
That’s where it works best in a stack, something we’ll discuss in greater detail later on. We’ve found the best results come from pairing really low-dose melatonin with calming ingredients like L-theanine, valerian root, or kanna for a more comprehensive approach to improving sleep.
But before we get into all that, let’s take a closer look at CBD vs melatonin for sleep. Is CBD better than melatonin for sleep, or is it the other way around?
CBD vs Melatonin for Sleep: Is CBD Better Than Melatonin for Sleep?
We want to preface this by saying sleep, as with most aspects of human health, is very individualized. While one person may find CBD does a wonderful job easing them into a deep, restful state, others won’t feel anything. The same could be said of melatonin.
So, take our comparison of CBD vs melatonin for sleep with a grain of salt. You’ll need to experiment and find what works best for your situation. That said, let’s examine the exact mechanisms through which melatonin and CBD work for sleep.
They Work Through Different Pathways
CBD and melatonin both support better sleep but in very different ways. CBD interacts with the ECS, which helps regulate mood, stress response, and nervous system balance.
So CBD won’t make you sleepy on its own. Rather, it can help you feel more relaxed so you’re in the right mindset for sleep. It’s a great choice when physical tension or a racing mind is keeping you up at night.
On the other hand, melatonin takes a more direct approach in the sense that it affects your circadian rhythm - the internal clock that controls when you feel sleepy and when you wake up.
It doesn’t relax you or change how you feel emotionally. It just tells your body it’s time to start shutting things down for the night. So one helps you shift into sleep mentally and emotionally. The other signals your body to start the process.
Which Is Better for Falling Asleep?
There are two types of sleep issues: falling asleep and STAYING asleep. Let’s address the first one, as you can’t even think about staying asleep if you aren’t able to fall asleep in the first place!
This is where melatonin works really well. It’s built to nudge your sleep-wake cycle forward so you feel sleepy at the right time. It makes sense when you can’t fall asleep until 2 or 3 am, or you’re struggling to adjust after travel.
In contrast, CBD helps in a more roundabout way. It can make it easier to drift off to sleep if you’re physically wound up or feeling mentally unsettled. But, it won’t trigger that “bedtime” signal the way melatonin does. Think of it more as supportive, not time-shifting.
Which Is Better for Managing Anxiety or Overthinking at Night?
This is where CBD tends to shine. It’s not a sedative, but it can help you feel less reactive, less stressed, and more at ease, especially in the context of chronic tension or mental loops.
Melatonin won’t do much in this department. It might make you feel sleepy, but it won’t necessarily help you fall asleep faster (or stay asleep once you’re there) if you’re anxious or overstimulated. It’s more about getting your internal clock back on track.
Which Option Is More Reliable for Everyday Use?
Melatonin tends to be more reliable and easier to regulate - assuming you’re using it in the proper dose at the optimal time, of course. You know what it does, you can feel it when it kicks in, and it works with your body’s natural rhythm.
CBD, on the other hand, can be more hit or miss. It’s much less predictable. The effects vary from person to person, and product quality ranges wildly. You have to navigate different delivery formats, dosages, and sourcing - all of which affect whether or not it actually helps.
So is CBD better than melatonin for sleep? If we had to recommend just one or the other, it would actually be melatonin. We know FAR more about how it supports sleep (with studies to back it up) in comparison to CBD, which is mostly rooted in anecdotal evidence.
But what if it wasn’t a matter of one or the other when it came to choosing between CBD vs melatonin for sleep - what if the right answer was actually using both, side-by-side?
Is it Safe to Take CBD WITH Melatonin for Sleep?
The short answer is yes - you can combine CBD and melatonin together for sleep for the best of both worlds, since they work very differently to address specific sleep challenges.
Melatonin nudges your body into its natural sleep cycle by influencing your circadian rhythm. CBD may support that process by easing physical tension, stress, or emotional overactivity that can make falling asleep harder than it needs to be.
That said, combining them doesn’t always mean you’ll get better sleep. CBD is tricky: results vary widely depending on the brand, formulation, dose, and your own body chemistry. Some people swear by it, while others feel little to no effect.
The truth is, there are far better compounds to pair with melatonin if you want to round out your nighttime regimen and finally put sleepless nights in the past for good - without waking up feeling groggy or underrested the next day.
What Pairs Better With Melatonin Instead of CBD?
You’ve got better options than CBD if you’re trying to build a truly effective sleep stack, something that helps your mind unwind and your body actually stay asleep. Here’s what we like to pair with a low, effective dose of melatonin:
- L-Theanine: This amino acid helps calm racing thoughts and quiet mental noise without sedation. So, does L-theanine make you sleepy? Not necessarily. Like CBD, it smooths the transition into sleep, but it works faster, usually within 30-60 minutes.
- Valerian Root: Known for supporting GABA activity to help the nervous system downshift naturally. It’s one of the best plant-based ingredients for staying asleep without feeling drugged the next day.
- California Poppy: A gentle herb that promotes physical relaxation and helps reduce nighttime restlessness. It’s especially helpful for people who wake up often throughout the night.
- Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum): Kanna supports emotional balance by working with serotonin receptors. It’s especially helpful if stress or emotional overactivity is part of your sleep struggle. Learn more about the kanna benefits in our blog.
- Saffron: This one’s a quiet powerhouse. It helps stabilize mood, ease anxiety, and improve overall sleep quality by supporting healthy serotonin levels. Bonus: it’s also been linked to fewer nighttime wakeups and more restorative sleep over time.
Each of these ingredients offers a specific kind of support, be it mental, emotional, or physical. They work great on their own, but way better together to amplify the effects of one another. That’s why we’ve brought them all together in one powerful formula here at Tabs.
Enjoy Deep, Restful Sleep Every Night With Tabs!
Our chocolate for couples who want to enhance intimacy is just one of the many products we’ve developed for you here at Tabs. Our goal has always been to elevate all of life’s moments: even those you’re not actually present for. That’s why our Sleep Tabs are one of our top-sellers.
We don’t believe in throwing high-dose melatonin at your sleep problems or overloading you with trendy ingredients that barely move the needle. We build formulas that work with your body - starting with a low, effective dose of melatonin (0.3mg) and stacking it with calming, evidence-backed ingredients that help you actually feel ready for rest.
Each Dream Tab dissolves on your tongue in seconds and kicks in fast with no pills, sugar, or groggy wakeups. You’re getting L-theanine for mental calm, valerian root and California poppy for physical relaxation, kanna for mood balance, and saffron for deeper, more restorative sleep.
We designed Dream Tabs to help you fall asleep and stay asleep instead of just sedating you. Whether you're recovering from a stressful day or trying to build a consistent sleep rhythm, this is a nightly ritual that feels good and actually delivers.
You’ve got nothing to lose, either, as your order is backed by our 30-day money-back guarantee. See for yourself what type of sleep is possible with the right support!
Final Words on Melatonin vs CBD for Sleep
Choosing between CBD vs melatonin for sleep is actually pretty simple, even though you could make the case for both. Melatonin helps reset your sleep clock, whereas CBD just eases tension - both physical and mental.
For real, consistent results, though, the BEST sleep support is melatonin combined with calming ingredients like kanna, L-theanine, valerian root, California poppy, and saffron. We’ve brought all these together in a single tongue tab so you can easily add them to your bedtime routine.
Tabs gives you that full-spectrum support in one tiny tab. You just have to let it melt, and let the ingredients do the rest. You’ll be nodding off before you know it! When you’re tired of feeling tired, we’ve got you. Try Dream Tabs today.