I have tried everything you can think of to help me sleep. Meditation, reading before bed, yoga—I’ve even tried to give up coffee and tea. Sacrilege! Emphasis on the tried. Nothing seems to really do the trick, but a new (and weird) solution has appeared. A TikTok video went viral on the app towards the end of May, which showed a woman drinking boiled lettuce water for its apparent drowsing effects. Science actually agrees but we’ll get to that later on.

Yeah, boiled lettuce water—that does not sound appealing. TikToker Shapla Hoque uploaded a video where she tests this method and monitors whether or not it actually works. The clip has now been viewed a whopping six million times.

@shapla_11

if you can’t sleep, try this #lettucewater #insomnia #lifehacks #fyp

♬ A Day in My Life - Soft boy

In the clip she maps out her methods, “I’ve washed my lettuce and I’m gonna put it in a cup and then pour some kettle water. […] I added peppermint tea because I’m scared it will taste like shit and no—peppermint doesn’t make me sleepy so it won’t change anything.” Hoque goes on to update us on her journey into drowsiness throughout the clip, ending the experiment saying “another update, lettuce has crack because your sis’ is gone.” Hoque’s TikTok has inspired numerous other users to try the same hack.

Many agreed completely. Apparently, it’s been a long known secret. One comment wrote, “My mum used to do this for me, boiled water and [left] it in the pan for 5 min on minimum heat, always worked for me and it’s all natural.” Another wrote, “In Mexico people bathe their babies in lettuce baths, it’s a neat trick to get babies to sleep.”

In a later video, Hoque updated viewers on the details saying that the process to make the water took around 10 to 12 minutes and the effects began to hit around half an hour after drinking it. She also advised to not use peppermint tea because it can keep you awake. Hoque continued, “Also, reading the comments, people were telling me to use wild lettuce or romaine lettuce because apparently, they have more of the ‘sleepy’ chemical.”

@shapla_11

Reply to @tattooo_titch_tnt excuse my appearance I jus woke up lol #fyp #lettucewater #lifehacks

♬ original sound - shapla

Apparently, she’s right. Romaine lettuce does have more of the ‘sleepy’ chemical but what exactly is it? Lettuce leaves apparently hold a chemical called Lactuca Sativa, which has mild sedative properties. A 2017 study found that “romaine lettuce had a higher lactucin content compared to green and red lettuce.” Researchers tested the effect on mice and found that “the seed extract derived from green romaine lettuce significantly reduced sleep latency and increased sleep duration in pentobarbital-induced mice when compared to other lettuce varieties.”

“Thus, the seed and leaf extracts derived from romaine lettuce induced an increase in the sleep duration at low and high doses respectively,” the study continued. It appears that the science is there. I never thought I’d say that about a TikTok health trend. Furthermore, the study also suggests that some of the best methods to induce drowsiness are often found in more holistic approaches. Goodbye sleeping pills, hello lettuce water. So, now that you know that its sleepy factor has nothing to do with pesticides and other toxic products, are you going to give it a try? I think I might. Sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite.

With recent legalisation and scientific evidence coming to light, there has been a significant increase in the CBD’s popularity. This cannabis byproduct has managed to become a household name, owing to the many benefits it offers. Medical experts are currently recommending CBD as a holistic alternative treatment for plenty of ailments, both psychological and physical.

Are you planning to incorporate CBD in your life? Do you wonder about how the cannabinoid can be beneficial for both your mental and physical health? If yes, then keep reading and know everything about CBD and its advantages.

CBD, which is currently among the few topics that reign both conversations and news headlines, has many benefits, but do you know what it is? If not, let’s find out. The cannabis plant is laden with many chemical compounds, which are called ‘cannabinoids’. These cannabinoids can decide how the plant will affect you. While there are hundreds of them present, CBD and THC are the most prominent ones.

CBD, also called cannabidiol, occupies 40 per cent of the plant matter. It is a medicinal cannabinoid that doesn’t induce a mind-altering high. Given the therapeutic benefits it offers, today’s markets are brimming with different CBD-based products that can help people enjoy this cannabinoid’s goodness. Brands like NuLeaf Naturals are dealing with CBD products which can help treat issues like anxiety, pain, insomnia, and more.

There is a never-ending list of ways that CBD can improve your health. Here are some of them:

With hectic life and no time to unwind, anxiety has become quite common. It can induce a wide array of symptoms like sweating, palpitations, and increased heart rate, making your life extremely difficult. If you have been facing symptoms of anxiety, CBD may help.

The cannabinoid can calm your body and mind, thus taking the stress away. It might also assist with alleviating the symptoms. When you ingest CBD, it interacts with the chemicals in your brain to change how they react to serotonin, which is responsible for your mood. By ensuring there is a required amount of serotonin in your body, CBD can help you feel happy and relaxed, thus alleviating the anxiety.

Suffering from excruciating chronic pain can make your life challenging. If you are tired of taking prescribed medications without any relief, you might want to try CBD here too. Your body contains a complex structure of cells responsible for regulating bodily functions, known as the ‘endocannabinoid system’. It produces neurotransmitters called cannabinoids, which are identical to the chemicals you get from the cannabis plant.

When you ingest CBD, the cannabinoids bind to receptors present in your organs and change how they react to external stimuli. It can reduce the feeling of pain and ensure you can carry out your routine tasks without any discomfort.

Epilepsy is a severe neurotic disorder that can cause unprovoked and recurrent seizures. While there is no exact cause of the ailment, doctors believe that genetics and brain damage can be reasons for it.

CBD can have a biochemical effect on your nerve cells, which can reduce both the intensity and frequency of epileptic seizures. It also promotes natural cannabinoids in your body, which enables better communication and might reduce seizures. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has also approved the CBD-based medicine for epilepsy called Epidiolex.

Are you unable to sleep at night due to insomnia? Well, CBD might be the solution you are looking for. It can relax your body, take away the stress, and help you drift off to sleep. CBD alters your sleep cycle, reducing the time you spend in the first two stages of the cycle. You can get more time in the third stage of a deep sleep, and help you get enough rest each night and wake up refreshed.

A majority of women face various symptoms each month before their period, called the Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). It can include mood swings, bloating, cramps, tenderness in breasts, irritability, and inability to sleep. These symptoms can last from one to two weeks before the period begins and subside once the monthly cycle begins.

CBD can help women deal with these symptoms organically. It helps combat pain, mood swings, nausea, and also helps with sleep, making it easier to go through the monthly cycle.