All About Hops

Beer lovers, unite! Anyone who is a fan of one of the world’s most consumed beverages is likely familiar with hops, a key ingredient in providing the flavor that has kept humankind enthralled for millennia. Hops is the common name for Humulus lupulus, a plant which is coincidentally a member of the Cannabacae family. Yes, that’s right - hops are a close relative of our dear friend, cannabis.  

The hops and cannabis plants share many similarities, chief among them being many common terpenes such as beta-pinene, beta-myrcene, beta-caryophyllene, linalool, and humulene. These terpenes are responsible for the flavor and aroma in specific varieties of beer, but they also have their own benefits for wellness.

Humans have been growing hops for almost 1,200 years, with the first known cultivation of the plant occurring in 736 in a region that is now modern-day Germany. However, documentation suggests that hops were used exclusively for ornamentation in gardens and flavoring beers for the first 1,000 years. It wasn’t until the late 19th century that scientists began documenting the therapeutic benefits of this plant. 

Hop cones, also known as strobiles, are the dried, flowering part of the plant that are used for brewing and other consumption purposes. These cones contain many important compounds, including terpenes, flavonols, flavonoids, fatty acids, and polyphenols. One particular substance found in the hop cone is lupulin, which is a type of resin that is primarily responsible for contributing flavor and aroma to beer. This resin contains two bitter acids, lupulone and humulone. Humulone, in particular, appears to has sleep-supportive, GABAgeric effects.†

Hops also appear to support healthy sleep when combined with valerian root.† Valerian root is a flowering herb native to Europe that has a long history of use for sleep support. More recent research studies have found that while valerian can be effective on its own, the combination of hops and valerian root tends to produce more pronounced effects on sleep improvement.† Hops also help support a balanced mood and a healthy response to occasional stress.†

If you’re looking to experience the benefits of this wonderful plant for yourself, you don’t have to turn to a fizzy alcoholic beverage to do so. Bluebird’s new Snooze Support CBD Soft Gels feature a potent combination of hops, valerian root, and melatonin plus full-spectrum hemp extract and CBN distillate to help you enjoy more restful sleep and better nights.†

Happy snoozing!