CBD vs Glycine: The Relaxer vs The Regulator
CBD acts on the nervous system to stop anxiety. Glycine acts on the metabolic system to lower core body temperature.
Both help you sleep, but they fix different problems. One fixes "I can't stop thinking." The other fixes "I can't get comfortable."
| Feature | CBD | Glycine |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Role | Anxiety Reduction | Body Temp Regulation |
| Dose | Low (20-100mg) | High (3-5 Grams) |
| Taste | Earthy / Hempy | Sweet / Sugar-like |
| Cost | Expensive ($$$) | Very Cheap ($) |
Mechanisms: Mental vs Metabolic
CBD: The Mental Brake
CBD slows down neural excitation. It prevents excessive firing of neurons involved in stress. It is purely a neurological intervention.
Glycine: The Physical Trigger
Glycine is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, but effective doses (3g+) work primarily by lowering core body temperature.
The body must cool down to initiate deep sleep. Glycine widens blood vessels in the skin (vasodilation), venting heat and triggering sleep onset.
What it means
Glycine manually tricks your body into thinking it is time to sleep by cooling it down. It feels very natural.
Which One Matches Your Goal?
For Deep Sleep
Winner: Glycine.
Studies show Glycine significantly improves REM and Deep sleep architecture. You wake up feeling refreshed, not groggy.
For Insomnia (Racing Mind)
Winner: CBD.
If you are staring at the ceiling worrying about tomorrow, Glycine won't help enough. You need the anxiolytic power of CBD.
The Verdict
Choose CBD if: Anxiety prevents you from falling asleep.
Choose Glycine if: You fall asleep fine but wake up feeling tired, or if you sleep hot.