Many people in the U.S. struggle with sleep – up to 70 million people, according to the National Sleep Foundation. The rising cases of insomnia have made people resort to using a controversial cure, cannabis. The effects of cannabis on the mind and body are many, although research on its benefits is still inconclusive. Using marijuana for sleep is found useful among the medical marijuana community. But that does not mean that you have a permanent fix – you still need to pursue other means to take care of your insomnia issue for good. In this blog, you will know about Marijuana And Sleep: Restore Your Natural Sleep Cycle.
Dr. Matt Roman notes that taking cannabis for insomnia will restore your natural sleep cycle, which in most cases, will fall out of sync due to a hectic lifestyle. Whether you have had a hectic day and need to relax or you just can’t sleep, marijuana might be the right choice for you. Read on to learn more about cannabis and sleep.
How Does Weed Help You Sleep?
Marijuana has anti-anxiety properties that help relax your brain when you go to bed. Pot comes in different strains – some help you relax, and others keep you energized. Again, cannabis contains many cannabinoids, each of which produces a different effect on your mind and body. The two main cannabinoids are Cannabidiol (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
CBD has many health benefits, but it is non-psychoactive and will not cause a “high.” THC, on the other hand, is psychoactive and causes a “high” feeling. It is THC that calms the mind for deep sleep.
THC Induces A High — And Sleepiness
THC not only causes a “high,” but it also induces sleep. As such, you will need to choose a THC strain that has more THC than CBD to get sleep more. A study conducted in 2008 found that taking a marijuana strain with more THC than CBD reduces rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. This means that you will dream less and be in a deep sleep more. For anyone who has PTSD, reducing REM sleep means fewer or no nightmares at night.
The deep sleep state that you fall into when you reduce REM sleep is a restful part of a sleep cycle. However, note that REM sleep is essential for the healthy functioning of the immune and cognitive systems – taking marijuana for a long time can mess your sleep quality.
What To Know Before Using Marijuana For Sleep
Does weed help you sleep? Yes, besides that, smoking weed is a health risk, and you need to approach it with caution. Again, the use of marijuana for sleep is still illegal in most parts of the world.
Before you start using cannabis for insomnia, talk to your primary physician about your sleep cycles. You need to understand how interrupting your REM cycles will affect you in the long term. While there is a link between cannabis and sleep, there are many other links between cannabis and other adverse medical conditions. Read on to learn more about marijuana and sleep.
Marijuana Should Only Be A Temporary Sleep Aid
Any sleeping aid should not be used for more than a few days lest your brain develops a dependence on the sleeping aid. Long term smoking of marijuana is linked to increased risk of COPD, which is hazardous to the lungs, especially for people suffering from asthma. You can instead choose a vape pen from Vaporizer Chief.
The long-term use of marijuana is also linked to changes in the amount of gray matter in the brain. Due to the long term effects of marijuana, anyone below the age of 25 should not take marijuana.
Long-Term Use Of Marijuana For Sleep Will Reduce Sleep Quality
A deep state of sleep is not the same as good quality sleep – you need REM and dreams for your sleep to be complete. Using marijuana for a long time will ultimately affect your sleep quality.
Choose Strains Wisely
There are two main strains of marijuana – sativas and indicas. Sativas keep you energetic and active while indicas are relaxing. The difference between the two strains is in the cannabinoids in each. There are so many other strains that fall under sativas and indicas. There are also hybrids, which are bred between sativas and indicas.
The best strains should have 20 percent THC or less. Anything more than 20 percent THC will make you feel sleepy and muzzy the following morning.
Always Speak To Your Doctor First
Before you take cannabis for insomnia, you need to talk to your primary care physician. The doctor will assess your sleep cycle and prescribe the right dosage and the right strain for your sleep problem. There are so many strains under the two main strains – your doctor will help you choose what works for you. Again, a minimal dose goes a long way in getting you to sleep.
How To Use Cannabis For Insomnia
Smoking
Smoking is a convenient way to use pot – you only need a pipe or bong, and you are good to go. Smoking makes you feel the effects of marijuana within a few minutes. However, carcinogens from smoke can cause cancer.
Vaping
Vaping is a safer way of taking marijuana. Here, you place the dry herb or buds in a cartridge in the vaporizer and press a button. The herb burns to produce vapor, which you take in.
Edibles
Edibles are created by either fusing cannabis oil into butter, called cannabutter, or crushing the dried leaves or buds into powder and mixing that into the dry ingredients before baking. It is easier to get the right dose with cannabis edibles.
Does Weed Help You Sleep? Conclusion
You can take marijuana for sleep, but you still need to be careful not to be dependent on the product. More research is required in order to establish a link between marijuana and sleep. You need to be careful not to get addicted to the THC in marijuana or to take a huge dosage that you get the psychoactive effects of cannabis. At all times, even when marijuana is legal and available everywhere in your country or state of residence, you need to see a doctor before taking cannabis.
Disclaimer: The contents of this article are for informational purposes only and should not be taken as legal or medical advice. The writer will not be liable for how you use the information. Consult a doctor before smoking weed or essential herbs and consider the state or federal laws of your country of residence.
