Mechanistic Pathways Linking Cannabidiol, Hemp Seed Oil and Black Sesame Oil in Hyperarousal Insomnia: A Narrative Review

Insomnia is increasingly recognized as a manifestation of multisystem dysregulation characterized by sustained physiological hyperarousal. This review situates insomnia within a framework of reciprocal disturbances across neuroendocrine, inflammatory, and autonomic pathways. It examines the potential roles of cannabidiol (CBD), polyunsaturated fatty acids from hemp seed oil (HSO), and lignans from black sesame oil (BSO) as modulators of upstream biological processes relevant to sleep regulation. Rather than acting as direct hypnotics, these compounds are evaluated for their capacity to influence convergent mechanisms implicated in sleep–wake stability. Preclinical evidence suggests that CBD may modulate endocannabinoid and serotonergic signaling, which could contribute to reduced hyperarousal. Concurrently, HSO-derived fatty acids are involved in mitochondrial function and inflammatory resolution. Sesame lignans further contribute through antioxidant properties plausibly linked to neurometabolic stability and modulation of neural excitability. However, the current evidence base is predominantly preclinical, and definitive conclusions regarding therapeutic efficacy or optimal dosing in humans cannot yet be drawn. Future research must prioritize integrative clinical studies that link these specific biological modulations to standardized sleep outcomes to determine their real-world applicability. Although clinical data are limited, the pathways discussed here align with biological domains repeatedly implicated across established insomnia phenotypes. By bringing these compounds together within a shared hyperarousal-based framework, this review highlights convergent upstream mechanisms that extend beyond isolated compound-specific effects.