Is marijuana sleep aid right for you? Read more to learn how marijuana can help you achieve better sleep and soothe your body and nerves during the daytime too.
Sleep is an essential state of mind and body required to maintain mental and physical health. Many people use a marijuana sleep aid to help with the sleep process. Whether you have insomnia or another sleep disorder, you may find cannabis an effective choice.
The research into marijuana as a sleep aid is still ongoing, but preliminary results and firsthand user experience show a positive correlation between insomnia and marijuana. Researchers are still unsure of the long-term effect of cannabis on quality sleep. Hence, it is crucial to learn about weed's known benefits and risks before using it as a solution.
Can Marijuana Aid in Sleep?
Clinical trials reveal that marijuana may improve sleep in people with certain conditions, including PTSD, multiple sclerosis, and chronic pain. It may help you get into sleep mode faster and enjoy a good night's rest. You do not have to worry about waking up in the middle of the night, unlike when you get drunk with too much alcohol.
Many cannabis users consume marijuana to combat pain, anxiety, and insomnia. The effectiveness of cannabis as a treatment for insomnia is uncertain. However, many first hand users report falling asleep better after consuming cannabis.
Insomnia and Marijuana
The cannabis plant produces more than 400 compounds. More than 100 of these compounds are classified as cannabinoids. These potent substances interact with the cannabinoid receptors in the central nervous system and may increase hormones responsible for sleep. The science behind this phenomenon is not well understood, but hopefully, scientific research will shed light on this matter.
There are two prominent cannabinoids in cannabis: tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). On the one hand, THC acts as a relaxing sedative at lower doses and may have a stimulating effect in higher doses. CBD, on the other hand, stimulates alertness at lower doses and promotes sleep and relaxation at higher doses. When combined, both these compounds may enhance relaxation and sleepiness depending on the timing and dose.
There is also another lesser-known cannabinoid called cannabinol (CBN) that may enhance the sleep effects of THC and CBD. CBN is a derivative of THC. It is commonly found in aged cannabis because it forms when THC is degraded by heat and exposure to light and oxygen. There is little scientific literature that backs up the sleep effects of CBN, but some users report getting sleepy after consuming aged cannabis.
CBN may work better when combined with CBD. Both of these compounds may enhance each other's relaxing and sedating effect. If you are suffering from insomnia or other sleep disorders, give cannabis a try and see how your body reacts to the potent cannabinoids.
The Effects of Sleeping While High
When you fall asleep after consuming marijuana, the compounds may affect your sleep stages. Short-term use of cannabis may enhance your deep sleep cycle. This sleep stage is crucial because it allows the mind and body to recuperate. When you have a good amount of deep sleep, you wake up feeling refreshed and invigorated. However, THC may lessen your REM sleep, the time when your mind enters into dream mode.
A decreased REM sleep may not be as bad to some people experiencing PTSD because it means less time with nightmares. Nevertheless, the dream state is essential because it helps cement new memories and allows people to process emotions. If you want to dream more, you must stop consuming high amounts of THC and focus more on CBD or CBN.
Marijuana vs. Natural Sleep Aids
Marijuana is legal in a select few states and countries. Hence, the research on its contents is limited. Some medications are made from CBD, these are targeted to treat certain forms of epilepsy, not sleep. Hence, most of the sleep effects of marijuana are based on anecdotal evidence. Nonetheless, some people turn to cannabis for sleep to avoid using opioids and other potent drugs.
Sleep medications may lead to abuse, physical dependence, and tolerance. Natural sleep aids, like melatonin, can reduce insomnia, but they may not work with many people. Therefore, if you find it hard to sleep with sleep medications or natural sleep aids, you might want to try marijuana as an alternative and see how it affects your insomnia and sleep quality.
Things to Remember Before Using Marijuana for Sleep
Before considering marijuana as a remedy for insomnia, be sure to talk to a healthcare provider. Ask about sleep cycles because long-term interruptions in REM sleep may decrease your immune function. If you are using sleep aids and want to transition to using marijuana, ask about the health implications of the switch. It is wise to have a medical professional's advice instead of self-medicating.
There are different ways to consume marijuana. Smoking is probably one of the most popular- but is not the healthiest method. You can consider vaping, using tinctures, or eating edibles. Vaping also produces almost immediate effects, like smoking, but is less harmful. If you want to avoid smoking and vaping, the next best alternative is to take cannabis sublingually through tinctures and oils.
When you decide to smoke marijuana, be sure you know the risks. If you have asthma or other respiratory conditions, it would be better to take cannabis in other forms. In addition, always smoke marijuana responsibly. Smoke in designated areas only and avoid bothering other people with secondhand smoke.
Are you ready to start your marijuana journey? Get your cannabis sleep aid now from the best cannabis dispensary in Missouri.
Indica Vs. Sativa
Cannabis has two popular subspecies called Indica and Sativa. Many strains on the cannabis market today are based on these two subspecies. However, most of them are considered hybrids of both genetics.
Indica provides a more calming effect and may help enhance sleepiness and relaxation. Many users prefer Indica strains for pain relief, relaxation, and rest. Since it is relaxing, Indica may be the preferable variety of cannabis for sleep.
Sativa is more stimulating than Indica. It usually produces feelings of euphoria. Many users prefer Sativa when they want to get a boost of energy. Most participants ingest Sativa during the day to enhance productivity and alertness.
Hybrid strains are a mix of both subspecies. Some hybrid strains have higher genetics of Indica, others have higher genetics of Sativa, while some are considered balanced. Hence, these hybrids may produce a stimulating and euphoric high at first, followed by a relaxing and sedative effect afterwards.
Most of the perceived differences between Indica and Sativa are based only on the subjective experience of users and not on solid scientific evidence. What matters most is the concentration of THC, CBD, and terpenes in each strain. Remember that the blend of cannabinoids and terpenes in marijuana is responsible for the overall effects. Genetics does not matter that much.
Risks and Side Effects of Marijuana
Marijuana seems to help people fall asleep better when used on a short-term basis. However, many medical experts do not recommend that patients use sleep aids for the long term. Sleep aids may impact your sleep quality in the long run and cause possible adverse side effects.
There are possible risks to using marijuana as a sleep aid. First, patients may develop a tolerance to the sedative effects of cannabis. It means you have to increase your dose to achieve the same results. In addition, long-term use may affect your deep sleep, overall rest quality, and length of dozing time.
Taking too much THC may also lead to impaired memory and sleepiness the following day. Please remember that taking an excessive amount of anything can be detrimental to your health. The same is true with THC. When you take too much daily, you may develop nightmares, strange dreams, difficulty sleeping, and the like.
The effects of long-term heavy marijuana use can have adverse health consequences, especially when you smoke it. Therefore, consider the benefits of short-term marijuana use for sleep; talk to your doctor first, especially when you have underlying medical conditions or are taking other sleep-related supplements.
Using Marijuana for Sleep
If you plan to take marijuana for sleep, always be guided by your doctor's advice. While your doctor should be your primary authority, it is important to understand what options are available for you.
Forms of Marijuana Consumption
You can consume marijuana in any number of ways. You can smoke, vape, or eat it. You may also place it under the tongue as a sublingual liquid. There are benefits and disadvantages to each form of consumption. If you are concerned about your respiratory health, you should avoid smoking or vaping. To keep your marijuana consumption as discreet as possible, you might consider sublingual or oral administration.
Marijuana has a different bioavailability based on how you consume it. Inhalation makes marijuana more bioavailable because the cannabinoids enter the bloodstream directly. Ingestion makes it less bioavailable because a significant amount of cannabinoids are lost during digestion. In addition, inhalation has a more immediate effect compared to ingestion. However, if you want a faster onset of effects without risking your respiratory health, take marijuana sublingually using tinctures or oils.
The Best Time to Take Marijuana for Sleep
The form of marijuana you take affects the time it takes for you to feel its effects. When you smoke or vape cannabis, you get almost immediate results. However, it may take longer to feel the effects when you ingest cannabis in the form of edibles, capsules, or oral sprays.
If you want immediate results, smoke or vape your cannabis. The sedative effects may vary depending on the number of cannabinoids and terpenes you get into your system. However, consume edibles or tablets if you plan to go to bed a bit later.
What to Expect
There are different strains of marijuana. Hence, they contain varying concentrations of cannabinoids and terpenes. The relaxing and sedative effect of marijuana affects each person uniquely. Hence, you should experiment with the strain, consumption form, dosage, and timing of your intake. Keep a journal of your consumption and write down the detailed effects of your intake.
Some people may experience confusion, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fatigue, and other nasty side effects when taking too much. You may have to lower your dose if you experience any adverse side effects. Find out which form, dose, and timing works for you and stick with it.
Remember that not all people prefer to smoke marijuana. Some want to keep their intake discreet. Consider using tinctures if you desire immediate results but do not want to smoke or vape.
Related Topic: Best Pre-rolls to Help You Sleep
Important Notes to Consider
Keep in mind that not all sleep medications work for every person. The same is true with marijuana use. Some people may benefit from the relaxing and sedative effect of marijuana, but others may not be as lucky. Take note that cannabis may reduce anxiety and stress, but too much THC may also increase anxiety and paranoia.
If you have a low tolerance for THC, you must choose relaxing strains containing moderate or low amounts of THC. If you are highly sensitive to it, you may benefit better from high CBD strains instead.
Please remember that there is a scant amount of scientific data on the sleep effects of marijuana. It may have various medical effects, and it must still undergo scientific verification. Today, the information we know comes primarily from anecdotal evidence. Hence, we must seek medical advice before attempting to use marijuana for medicinal purposes.
Do not rely on marijuana as a long-term solution for insomnia. We do not yet have a solid scientific basis for recommending it for long-term use. However, it may be helpful to use as a short-term remedy. Still, you may have to practice good sleep habits and support them with a healthy lifestyle conducive to healthy sleep.
Is Marijuana Right for You?
If you suffer from insomnia or any other sleep disorder, you may have tried various solutions already. Choosing marijuana as a remedy for better sleep is your personal decision. Nonetheless, we recommend you make this decision with your healthcare provider.
While there are potential benefits to consuming marijuana, there are also potential risks and side effects to consider. Most people use cannabis for pain management, anxiety, and insomnia. However, it may not work for everyone. Some may be too sensitive to THC and experience more adverse effects than benefits. Therefore, it is essential to test it out first. Experiment with the strain, dosage, timing, and form of consumption.
In addition, make sure that marijuana is legal in your area before consuming it. If you reside in a place where marijuana is illegal, talk to your doctor to find more meaningful ways to help you sleep better.
Bottom Line
There is not enough scientific evidence that marijuana aids in sleep. Preliminary research and anecdotal evidence provide a positive correlation between weed consumption and better sleep. However, we do not know the long-term effects of marijuana on rest. If you wish to consume cannabis for medical use, it is best to speak to your doctor first.
How to Get Medical Card
You might not need a medical card to buy recreational marijuana. Still, you may want to get one to increase your monthly allotment and enjoy other special benefits and privileges.
The process is pretty straightforward. Visit our website and fill out the signup form to schedule a virtual appointment and speak with one of our certified physicians. Pay the required fee, and you are good to go.
We partnered with Elevate Holistics to provide you with a platform to speak with a doctor virtually. You do not have to leave the comfort of your home or workplace.
Medical cannabis is legal in Missouri. All residents can consume marijuana legally, but you need to obtain a medical card if you want to own, grow, and consume legal quantities of cannabis. As long as you have a medical card, you can enter any cannabis dispensary and purchase marijuana legally.
Without a card, you will not be able to purchase cannabis for personal consumption or grow cannabis at home.Do you need a medical card? Click the link now and find out if you are qualified. Follow the steps provided on the webpage and enjoy the privileges of owning a medical card in Missouri.
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